Cycling for Veterans in the Footsteps of Wellington’s Army
Cycling for Veterans in the Footsteps of Wellington’s Army
This September George Chesney is taking on a solo unsupported 450-mile cycle trip from Madrid to Bayonne, in Southern France, to raise money for SSAFA – Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association: funds will be divided between SSAFANI and SSAFA Republic of Ireland. George has named the route The Wellington Trail, as it roughly follows the route taken by The Duke of Wellington’s allied armies in the latter part of the Peninsular Campaign during The Napoleonic War in 1813; a large portion of whom were Irish.
George from Ballymena, Co Antrim, is a graduate of Sandhurst and serving five years with the Royal Engineers and 24 with the Territorial Army. He is the Chair of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Northern Ireland.
I have no idea how far I will cycle as I meander through Northern Spain, avoiding all motorways and the steepest of climbs. No doubt there will be thrills (probably just a few) and spills (hopefully none!) as I cycle the Wellington Trail.
As with many veterans, as time goes on, bits tend to fall off but have been glued back on. Thanks to the NHS, Surgeon Mark Chapman and the staff at the Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin this is George’s second fundraising cycle trip, and should be a breeze after successful surgical repairs earlier this year.
We look forward to updating you with George’s progress as he takes on this mammoth challenge!
Thank you to the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office for letting us know about George’s Wellington Trail and photographs.
Sunday 12 June marks the centenary of the disbandment of the Irish regiments of the British Army from the south of Ireland. On 12 June 1922, King George V received the Colours of The Royal Irish Regiment, The Connaught Rangers, The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment, The Royal Munster Fusiliers and The Royal Dublin Fusiliers for safekeeping at Windsor Castle where they remain to this day. The South Irish Horse disbanded on 31 July that year. To mark the centenary the Combined Irish Regiments Association held a parade at the Cenotaph in London this morning, while in Dublin the regimental associations will held a service in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.
The Combined Irish Regiments Association organised a wonderful parade to mark the occasion. Standards were paraded in to the music of The Pipes and Drums – London Irish Rifles Association. Members on parade included the Royal British Legion, the Leinster Regiment Association, Irish Guards, Royal Irish Regiment, and the Irish Defence Forces, along with veterans and family descendants of those who served.
At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the beautiful service also remembered the disbandment of the South Irish Horse. The event was organised by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association on behalf of all the regimental associations including: the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, 18th Reg of Foot Royal Irish Regiment Association, and the Leinster Regiment association. To the pipes of Anthony Byrne, the regimental standards marched through the cathedral to the ‘Last of the Great Whales’. A beautiful ceremony followed with regimental songs sung by the St. Patrick’s Cathedral choir. In attendance was the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland, Ambassadors, members of the Oireachtas, the Irish Defence Forces, the Royal Irish Regiment, and descendants and family of those who served in the regiments. Lest we forget.
Provisional Government Take Possession of Barracks
Updated 2 February 2022
In January 1922, military and police barracks began to be handed over to the newly established Irish Provisional Government. On Thursday the 26th, 150 officers and men vacated Clogheen Barracks, Co. Tipperary; on Saturday 28th, Mallow Military Barracks in Co. Cork, was handed over to Commandant General Liam Lynch; on Sunday the 29th, in Cahir, Co. Tipperary the 2nd Brigade Royal Filed Artillery vacated and handed over the barracks; while on Wednesday 1 February, in Sligo, the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment handed over their barracks at the courthouse. In all cases local units of the Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.) took possession. Also on the 31 January, the headquarters of the Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary (R,I.C.), at Beggar’s Bush Barracks, Haddington Road, Dublin, was formally handed over to the Provisional Government: Commandant-General M’Mahon Quartermaster IRA, and Commandant J. Dalton Chief Liaison Officer, took over the barracks from Mr. A. W. Cope, Assistant Under-Secretary, Dublin Castle and General Wood, Commander of the Auxiliary RIC.
I.R.A. at Cahir Barracks, Co. Tipperary following the handover on Sunday 29th. Freeman’s Journal, 3 February 1922.
I.R,A. at Mallow Barracks following the handover.. Irish Independent, 1 February 1922.
To cheering crowds the following day a newly uniformed and armed contingent of the Dublin Guard marched through Dublin City to take possession of the barracks. The detachment of Provisional Government troops had been in training and equipping in the Celbridge Workhouse (today Colourtrend) , Co. Kildare, for several weeks. Travelling by char-à-banc, they assembled at the Gough Memorial at the Phoenix Park under the command of Captain Paddy Daly. The Freeman’s Journal commented on the detachments turnout and the men themselves: ‘All carried short Lee-Enfield rifles of the most recent make. They were stalwart men, none under six foot, broad-shouldered and athletic, veterans in the War of Freedom.’ Their new grey-green uniform was produced by The Irish Co-operative Clothing Manufacturing Society.
Led by the Fianna Pipe Band in their saffron kilts, the contingent paraded from the Phoenix Park at 2:30pm, down the quays, across Gratton Bridge and down Dame Street. Along the way the were cheered by vigorous crowds. At City Hall (the Provisional Government offices), delegates were there to review them including President of the Provisional Government Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. As they got closer to City Hall the crowds could hear the familiar tune ‘the Green Flag’. On approaching the reviewing stand the City Hall Guard saluted and were ordered to ‘Present – Arms!’, returning the salute Captain Daly ordered ‘Eyes – Right!’
The contingent then paraded past College Green, Trinity College, Merrion Square, and Mount Street. All along the way people cheer the small band on with shouts of ‘Hurrah!’ and ‘God Save Ireland!’ tricolour flags adorned the crowds and hung from buildings. As they approached Beggar’s Bush Barracks, around 3:30pm, the Dublin Metropolitan Police on duty opened the gates. On entry the gates were closed to the public.
A clip from the British Pathé News Archive showing the handover of Beggar’s Bush Barracks to the Provisional Government.
Entering the barracks, the Provisional Government troops were met by a select gathering of priests and officials. Waiting to handover the barracks were Mr James McMabon, Under-Secretary of State and Mr A. W. Cope, Assistant Under-Secretary. Provisional Government delegates included Mr Richard Mulcahy (in a Comdt’s uniform), Minister for Defence, accompanied by his wife; General Eoin O’Duffy, Chief of Staff, and G O’Sullivan, Adjacent General.
Sunday Independent, 5 February 1922.
Lined up on the square the contingent were inspected by O’Daffy and Mulcahy, who presented a large tricolour to Captain Daly. Following the inspection Mr Mulcahy delivered a short address in which he praised Daly’s men for being the first of a new army and thanked them individually, he said that this was an ‘event of which they could not at present estimate the importance.’
The Dublin Guard and Fianna Pipe Band at Beggar’s Bush Barracks. (Image courtesy of Military Archives)
The papers also noted that on the same day the Provisional Government received from Gormanstown Camp, twenty-one former RIC motor vehicles, comprising: three Leyland lorries and eighteen Crossley and Hudson touring cars; the latter including six tenders with 6 seats arranged back-to-back.
Scenes from the takeover of Beggar’s Bush Barracks and possession of former R.I.C. vehicles. Irish Independent, 2 February 1922.
A Strong Voice for Veterans – The Veterans Commissioner For Northern Ireland
Recognising the challenges facing veterans today Danny Kinahan was appointed as Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner in September 2020. Since that time Danny, a British Army veteran himself, and his team – Alan Murphy and Rachael Harger – have been working with veterans’ support organisations throughout the island of Ireland, advocating for better supports, listening to the challenges, and urging veterans to get in touch.
Many who leave the armed services may not require help – but others do across a number of areas. This might include mental or physical health – or to other matters such as housing and retraining. Getting the right supports to veterans is an ongoing challenge.
Over the past eight months we have been working with Danny and his team to help produce a series of videos to help introduce him and his team, and promote their work and veterans supports throughout the island of Ireland. We would encourage veterans’ charities/organisations and veterans themselves to share this video in order to help communicate the message: if you need help there is support.
If you are a former member of the British Armed Forces on the island of Ireland that needs support or you know a such a veteran that needs support you can contact the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office or the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Support Office, details below.
We would like to thank the following organisations for their help during the production of this video: Decorum NI, Frontier Pipes and Drums, Inspire Wellbeing, Horses for People, The Not Forgotten Association, The Royal British Legion (Northern Ireland), The Royal British Legion (Rep. of Ireland), and The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association
The centenary of the Ulster Memorial Tower was commemorated this morning in Northern France.
Inaugurated on 19 November 1921, the Ulster Tower at Thiepval on the Somme commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers from Ulster and across the island of Ireland during the First World War. The Ulster Tower stands on the ground attacked at great cost by the 36th (Ulster) Division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.
The combined musicians of the Bugles Pipes and Drums, Regimental Band of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Defence Forces 2nd Brigade Band, march on the standards provided by members of the Royal British Legion.
This morning’s commemoration was attended by dignitaries including First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan MLA, Ireland’s Minister of State Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne TD, British Ambassador to France Her Excellency Menna Rawlings and Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in Paris Owen Feeney. The service was led by Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Rev. Dr. Sahr Yamhasu, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; and The Most Revd. Francis John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh.
The ceremony was supported by the Bugles, Pipes and Drums and the Regimental Band of the British Army’s Royal Irish Regiment and by the 2nd Brigade Band of the Irish Defence Forces. The military musicians were accompanied by mezzo-soprano and alto Emma Brown who sung You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Following the ceremony First Minister Mr. Givan said: “It’s an honour for me to be here today on this historic occasion to mark 100 years of the Ulster Tower which memorialises the sacrifice that was made by the men of the 36th Ulster Division and remembers those who served from right across Ireland in the First World War.”
“The connections with the Ulster Division and the Irish Division is something that we always need to remember, where people stood side by side irrespective of their religion or indeed their identity, whether they were British or Irish, they shed blood together here in the trenches and stood in common cause for the freedoms that we enjoy today.”
Reiterating the importance of today’s commemoration Minister Thomas Byrne stated: “It is an honour to be here at the Ulster Tower. It is essential that we commemorate all those who died in battle during World War One, knowing that the soldiers that are commemorated here are from all nine counties of Ulster and many are from across the island of Ireland North and South fought in World War One and died in World War One. It is critical that we continue to honour their memories and to work always for peace and reconciliation both at home and indeed across the globe.
Today’s event was organised by the Somme Association, based in Newtownards, County Down, who are responsible for the maintenance of the Ulster Tower.
As the combined Royal Irish Regiment and Defence Forces bands marched from the Ulster Memorial Tower at the end of the centenary commemoration last week to the tune of On Raglan Road, it was a moment to reflect on the importance on the occasion. The Ulster Memorial Tower stands tribute to those from the province of Ulster, in particular to members of the 36th Ulster Division, who fought during the Great War and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today it is sacred ground.
Ulster Tower Centenary Album
Ulster Tower Memorial Centenary 19 November 2021 Thiepval , France, Photos by John O’Byrne
Tipperary Studies Launch Irish Great War Dead Archive
Armistice Day, 11 November, each year marks the ending of the Great War 1914 – 1918. Marking the day this year Tipperary Studies have launched a new digital archive dedicated to Ireland’s Great War dead: www.irelandsgreatwardead.ie. The archive contains a database of 31,384 war dead entries of servicemen and servicewomen from the 26 counties of the Rep. of Ireland, in so far as the information is known. Work continues to record the names of the Great War dead from the six counties in Northern Ireland. Expanding on the list of entries recorded in Ireland’s Memorial Records, the database gives added detail about family connections, residence, where such has been identified.
The archive is the work of military historian Tom Burnell. Tom has spent almost twenty years researching the Great War dead from Ireland and some added features of Tom’s research also includes contemporary press reports and death certificate information, where such was available to him. Tom offered this database of work to Tipperary Studies, to host, so that his research, the genealogical information and records therein would be available to a wider audience. There are various search options available, where people can use the search box to view specific entries and categories. Searches may also be filtered by Regiment or Service.
A map of the war dead graves in Tipperary, from the two World Wars, is also included. Tom has photographed all grave memorials, and coupled with directions to each site, they give a local aspect to his research. The website also includes a list of several online resources from Ireland and around the world, that will help users delve deeper into the Great War period.
Royal Irish Rifles ration party, Somme, July 1916.
The database begins with Lance Corporal John Abbey from Baltinglass, County Wicklow. Serving with 1st Battalion Irish Guards, he was killed in action at Givenchy on 8 August 1915. He is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, France.
The database ends with Rifleman Richard Zimber. Born in New Ross County Wexford, he served with 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps under the alias Richard Frederick Cairns. He was killed in action on 8 May 1915. He is listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
On Sunday evening next, 14 November, both Tom Burnell and Pat Bracken will feature on The History Show, with Myles Dungan, to talk about the new website in a special Remembrance Sunday episode of the programme. The programme airs from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Located above the Source Library and Arts Centre, Thurles, Tipperary Studies is dedicated to documenting and preserving the County’s rich cultural, social, economic and sporting histories, and aims to offer open, friendly and easy access to the Library’s collections to visitors both in person and through correspondence.
For the first time in 35 years the massed bands of the four Irish regiments of the British Army joined together on Saturday last to perform at Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim. The beautiful ancient Norman Castle on the northern shore of Belfast Lough provided the backdrop to the Irish Guards and The The Royal Irish Regiment, alongside the pipes and drums of The Royal Dragoon Guards and The Queen’s Royal Hussars. There was also a special performance from a choir of Fijian soldiers who serve in the Irish regiments. Belfast Lough was filled with the sound of military music and marches such as Killaloe and St. Patrick’s Day.
A selection of images of the Massed Irish Bands at Carrickfergus Castle by Patrick Hugh Lynch. You can check out his full album on Flickr.
The oldest of the Irish regiments is the Irish Guards, fondly called ‘The Micks’; one of the Foot Guards regiments part of the Guards Division. It were formed on 1 April 1900 by order of Queen Victoria to commemorate the Irishmen who fought in the Second Boer War for the British Empire. The Royal Irish Regiment was formed in 1992 through the amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment. The regiment has a lineage to the 27th Regiment of Foot, which was first raised in June 1689 to fight in the Williamite War in Ireland; the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s). The Royal Dragoon Guards was formed in 1992 by the amalgamation of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. The Queen’s Royal Hussars was formed in 1993 from the amalgamation of the Queen’s Own Hussars and the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars.
The Massed Bands start playing from 1.09.30 into the video you can watch by clicking on the link below.
This project is supported by The Dept. of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office. A special thank you to the Royal Irish Regiment and the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Northern Ireland’s Veterans Commissioner – Danny Kinahan – is urging former service personnel of the British Armed Forces who need help or support to get in touch with him directly.
NI Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan. (Photo: NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office)
There are an estimated 150,000 former personnel of the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy living in Northern Ireland, in addition there are an estimated 10,000 living in the Republic of Ireland. The NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office (NIVCO) has launched an initiative to reach as many veterans in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as possible. He is enlisting the support of regimental associations, councils, charities and community organisations to get the message out to former members of the armed forces.
The Commissioner stated: “My role is to be a ‘strong voice for veterans’ and I want to ensure that those who have given so much in the service of their country receive the support, help and assistance they deserve. I am honoured to represent and advocate on their behalf and since my appointment I have heard, first-hand, about experiences of military service and the transition back to civilian life.
“I don’t have a database to contact veterans personally, so I am relying on other organisations to help me cascade the information to those who need it. If you are a friend or family member of someone who has served, please know that my office is here to help.”
Many who have left the armed services may not require help – but others do across a number of areas. This might include mental or physical health – or to other matters such as housing and retraining.
Continuing Commissioner Danny Kinahan added: “I want to engage with as many veterans as possible to understand their issues and work with them so they can access the right support as and when they need it.”
The NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office can be contacted by:
Address NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office Stormont House Belfast BT4 3SH
Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s New Crest
On the establishment of the NIVCO it was important to establish a crest that was representative of all elements of the Armed Forces. The striking new crest was unveiled last month.
Danny Kinahan said: “When you look at the crest, you see the crossed swords that represent the Army, the anchor that symbolises the Royal Navy and the eagle for the Royal Air Force.
“The crown represents Her Majesty the Queen, who as Sovereign, is Head of the Armed Forces and the shamrock references the Irish Regiments that serve and have served with great honour and distinction across the world in many conflicts. The poppy flower evokes remembrance and the use of green, blue and red reflects the colours of the Royal Irish Regiment.”
The core message of “A strong voice for NI Veterans” is now embodied within clear and strong.
New Mascot For Irish Guards – Welcome into Service Turlough Mór (Séamus)
Images from Irish Guards and Army in London HQ Facebook page Victoria Jones/PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo.
At a ceremony at Wellington Barracks on Thursday, the Irish Guards welcomed the arrival of their new Irish Wolfhound mascot, Turlough Mór (Séamus). The six month old Regimental Mascot was acquired from his breeder in North Yorkshire in late October. As with the 16 mascots before him, he is named after an Irish chieftain. Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair (anglicised Turlough Mór O’Connor / O’Conor), was King of Connacht from 1106 to 1156 and High King of Ireland circa 1120 to 1156. The regimental mascot will be known by his kennel name Séamus.
Drummer Alan Walsh with Séamus at Wellington Barracks.
Séamus has spent four weeks with his new handler, Drummer Adam Walsh, from Dublin, at the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Training Centre, Melton Mowbray. Séamus was formally handed over to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards from Regimental Headquarters by the Regimental Adjutant Major (Retd) Niall Hall MVO. The young mascot has already begun his military familiarisation training to military ceremony and music at Wellington Barracks. He will now join the 1st Battalion at Cavalry Barracks Hounslow. He is due to make his first formal engagement on St. Patrick’s Day when traditionally HRH The Duchess of Cambridge distributes shamrock to the regiment. Séamus will have to wait to meet the rest of the battalion as they are on deployment to Liverpool in support of the NHS Covid-19 response. The regiment will be returning to State Ceremonial and Public Duties early in 2022 and no doubt Séamus will be front and centre.
Celbridge’s Victoria Cross – Lieutenant Colonel John Augustus Conolly
Project: Celbridge’s Military Story
It as a real honour today to visit the graveside of Celbridge’s own Victoria Cross recipient at Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin: Lieutenant Colonel John Augustus Conolly. Growing up in Celbridge I knew nothing of this man or his service. We hope by recording his story it will forever be a part of Celbridge.
John Augustus Conolly circa 1850s. (Courtesy of the Guards Museum)
John Augustus Conolly was born on 30 May 1829 in Castletown, Celbridge, to Edward Michael Conolly MP and Catherine Jane, daughter of Chambre Brabazon Ponsonby-Barker.
John enlisted in the 49th Regiment of Foot (later the Royal Berkshire Regiment, today The Rifles) and served in the Eastern Campaign/Crimean War of 1854. He was present at the Battles of Alma and the Siege of Sebastopol. On 26 October 1854 he was shot through the chest and seriously wounded after a Russian attack at Shell Hill. The Russian attack was repulsed by heavy fire from Allied guns, and infantry led by Lieutenant Conolly. Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood VC later wrote that the Russians: ‘fell back and our infantry pursued them, being led most gallantly by Lieutenant Conolly’.
For this gallantry, Conolly was awarded the Victoria Cross (gazetted 5 May 1857) and promoted into the Coldstream Guards. At Hyde Park on 26 June 1857 Queen Victoria awarded the first Victoria Cross’s to 62 officers and men; one of these gallant heroes was a Celbridge man, then Brevet-Major John Augustus Conolly.
He later married on 4 August 1864 to Ida Charlotte Burnaby from Baggrave Hall, Leicestershire. She died in 1886. They had 5 children: John Richard Arthur, Alice Geta Katherine, Conagh Edwina, Louisa Augusta and Irene Beatrice.
John Conolly was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and retired from the Army in 1863. He became a Sub-Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and later Resident Magistrate for the Curragh of Kildare. He died on 23 December 1888 in the Curragh, and was laid beside his wife at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin.
John Augustus Conolly lays at rest with his wife Ida in Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold’s Cross, Dublin. (Photo by Michael Coyne)
Lieutenant Colonel John Augustus Conolly VC is remembered with pride at Castletown House and Parklands, the Berkshire Regimental museum and the Guards Museum who kindly helped us with images of John Conolly.
This project is made possible with funding from Kildare County Council.
