Ireland's Military Story

Category: Northern Ireland

  • Project Update – A Strong Voice for Veterans

    Project Update – A Strong Voice for Veterans

    Project Update – A Strong Voice for Veterans

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    For many veterans’ life after leaving the armed forces is challenging. Ensuring that all veterans receive the support and care they deserve is also a challenge. On the island of Ireland there are an estimated 150,000 and 20,000 British Armed Forces (Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy) veterans in Northern Ireland and the Rep. of Ireland respectively. As one of the commitments made in the New Decade New Approach political agreement, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, appointed Danny Kinahan as Northern Ireland’s first Veterans’ Commissioner.

    The appointment of a Veterans Commissioner ensures that there is representation and a safe voice for veterans who often feel they have been forgotten, and have been largely underrepresented as a community for years. Danny and his team have been engaging with veterans’ charities on the island of Ireland with a clear message that there is help for veterans who need it. Over the past three months we have been working on a multimedia project with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office (NIVCO). The purpose of this project is to highlight the NIVCO and the services they provide, while at the same time showcasing several of the veterans’ charities and the work they do on the island of Ireland. Some of these charities include: The Royal British Legion (Northern Ireland and Rep. of Ireland); The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA); The Not Forgotten Association; Decorum NI; and the UDR Regimental Association. As part of a North/South engagement the NIVCO team also met with the Irish Defence Forces veterans support charity The Organisation of National Ex-Personnel. The uniform may be different but the challenges are the same, collaboration and supporting one another is the solution. Each of these charities are unique and offer a variety of supports from welfare to outreach, drop-in centres and remembrance. SSAFA for example is the oldest veterans’ organisation. Founded in 1885, it provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents.

    A new charity for our team is Decorum NI. It was a real pleasure to meet this group at their garden plots outside Bangor. Decorum NI helps combat isolation through a variety of ways including: alternative therapies, counselling, training, educational courses, sign posting to educational progression, and welfare advice. We are looking forward to meeting them again in the near future.

    NI Veterans’ Commissioner Danny Kinahan with members of Decorum NI at their garden plots outside Bangor.

    For a full list of supports and services available please visit: www.nivco.co.uk/where-to-get-help/

    We will be updating you as this project develops.

    Thank you to The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office. for their support.

  • Royal British Legion Centenary Commemoration Belfast War Memorial 2021

    Royal British Legion Centenary Commemoration Belfast War Memorial 2021

    Royal British Legion Centenary Commemoration Belfast War Memorial 2021

    Photos by Wesley Bourke

    First published 20 September

    First published 26 September 2021, last updated 14 April 2023

    Standards and veterans from the island of Ireland gathered at the Belfast War Memorial/City Hall today to celebrate 100 years of the Royal British Legion (RBL). An Act of Remembrance was observed at the War Memorial. The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment then led the parade through Belfast to Belfast Cathedral for a service to mark the RBL 100. The celebrations were due to be held earlier in the year, but due to Covid-19 restrictions this was postponed.

    With the ending of the Great War some 6million had gone through the ranks of the British Armed Forces. Of those that returned 1.75 had some sort of disability, with half left with a permanent disability. The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the war: The National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers. The British National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers.

    On 26 September 2021 standards and veterans from the island of Ireland gathered at the Belfast War Memorial/City Hall to celebrate 100 years of the Royal British Legion (RBL). An Act of Remembrance was observed at the War Memorial. The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment then led the parade through Belfast to Belfast Cathedral for a service to mark the RBL 100. The celebrations were due to be held earlier in the year, but due to Covid-19 restrictions this was postponed.

    With the ending of the Great War some 6 million had gone through the ranks of the British Armed Forces. Of those that returned 1.75 had some sort of disability, with half left with a permanent disability. The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the war: The National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers. The British National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers. Due to partition in 1922, the RBL in the Rep. of Ireland (then the Irish Free State) was formally established in 1925.

    Today the Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces (Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy) past and present and their families. It is also the UK’s custodian of remembrance. On the island of Ireland there are some 150,000 and 20,000 ex-service personnel of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, in Northern Ireland and the Rep. of Ireland respectively. The Royal British Legion supports veterans throughout the island through a network of branches and outreach programmes. You can find the RBL Norther Ireland in Craig Plaza, 51-53 Fountain St, Belfast. The RBL is also a registered charity in the Rep. of Ireland with headquarters in Molesworth Street, Dublin.

    Today the Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces (Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy) past and present and their families. It is also the UK’s custodian of remembrance. On the island of Ireland there are some 150,000 and 20,000 ex-service personnel of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, in Northern Ireland and the Rep. of Ireland respectively. The Royal British Legion supports veterans throughout the island through a network of branches and outreach programmes. You can find the RBL Norther Ireland in Craig Plaza, 51-53 Fountain St, Belfast. The RBL is also a registered charity in the Rep. of Ireland with headquarters in Molesworth Street, Dublin. Due to partition in 1922, the RBL in the Rep. of Ireland was formally established in 1925.

    A service will be held in Belfast Cathedral to celebrate the centenary of the RBL. A live stream of the service will be provided on: www.facbook.com/BelfastCathedral

    The livestream will commence at 15:00 for the arrival of the standards, with the Service starting at 15:30.

    Royal British Legion 100 Celebrations Belfast

    Thank you to the Royal British Legion Northern Ireland and Belfast City Hall.

    You can contact the Royal British Legion in Northern Ireland via: Area Office Address

    The Royal British Legion

    51-53 Fountain Street

    Belfast BT1 5EB

    Tel: 0808 802 8080

    This Helpline is open 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. 7 days a week and is free from UK landlines and the main mobile networks.

    This project was supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

  • Carrickfergus Castle Hosts Massed Irish Bands

    Carrickfergus Castle Hosts Massed Irish Bands

    Carrickfergus Castle Hosts Massed Irish Bands

    Photos by Patrick Hugh Lynch

    First posted 9 September

    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 Veterans Commissioner Visits Dublin

    Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner Visits Dublin

    Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner Visits Dublin

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office team, Alan Murphy, Danny Kinahan and Rachael Harger during their visit to Dublin.

    In a North/South engagement earlier today, the team from the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office visited their counterparts in The Royal British Legion (Rep. of Ireland) and The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) (Rep. of Ireland Branch). The team discussed and listened to the concerns of the two veterans’ support charities regarding veterans of the British Armed Forces from and living in the Rep. of Ireland. The team also met with members of The Organisation of National Ex-Personnel (ONE). A clear message from today is that it is critical that veterans know there is help if needed.

    NI Veterans Commissioner – Danny Kinahan – said: “I was really pleased to meet with Irish branches of the RBL, SSAFA and ONE to ensure veterans are well looked after in the Rep. of Ireland. Today’s visit was important to see how we could help each other to improve the delivery of support to veterans.”

    NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office team Danny Kinahan, Alan Murphy and Rachael Harger; Royal British Legion (Rep. of Ireland) President Lt. Col. Ken Martin, Chairman Brian Duffy and Vice-Chairman Paul Stephenson outside the RBL office on Molesworth St., Dublin.
    NI Veterans’ Commissioner Danny Kinahan with SSAFA Branch Secretary Yvonne Harrison outside the SSAFA office on Fredrick St., Dublin.

    This project is supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office. Special thank you to the Royal British Legion Rep. of Ireland and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

  • Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Photos by Terry Healy

    With Covid restrictions easing we are recommencing our projects. We recently spent the day in the The Somme Association & Somme Museum with Carol Walker Director of the Somme Association, working on a multimedia project dedicated to Ireland and the Great War.

    This project is supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

  • Annual Somme Commemoration Belfast

    Annual Somme Commemoration Belfast

    Annual Somme Commemoration, Belfast City Hall

    Photographs by John O’Byrne

    1 July is a poignant day in military history. On that day in 1916, the 141 days of the Battle of the Somme began. Nine corps of the French Sixth Army and the British Fourth and Third armies attacked the German 2nd Army. It was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army – of the 57,470 British casualties, 19,240 men had been killed. the 36th (Ulster) Division had over 5,000 casualties; 2,069 of whom were killed. All three regiments were awarded the Battle Honour ALBERT 1916.

    Wreaths were laid earlier today at the Cenotaph, Belfast City Hall, for the annual Somme commemoration in remembrance of all those who lost their lives.

    The photographs below show the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Kate Nicholl accompanying Danny Kinahan, NI Veterans Commissioner; Maj Philip Morrison, Royal British Legion President NI and Lt Col Ken Martin, Royal British Legion President RoI.

    Thank you to The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office for their support. Thank you to Belfast City Hall/Council for their permission to attend today’s event.

    Danny Kinahan, NI Veterans Commissioner
    Maj Philip Morrison, Royal British Legion President NI and Lt Col Ken Martin, Royal British Legion President RoI.

  • NI Commissioner Urges Veterans to get in Touch

    NI Commissioner Urges Veterans to get in Touch

    NI Commissioner Urges Veterans to get in Touch

    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:

    Email: commissioner@nivco.co.uk

    Telephone: 028 90527734

    Twitter: @niveteranscomm

    Web: www.nivco.co.uk

    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.

  • Operation Deadlight

    Operation Deadlight

    U-Boats Sunk off Northern Ireland in Operation Deadlight

    From November 1945 to February 1946, 116 German U-boats were scuttled off the northwest coast of Northern Ireland in Operation Deadlight.

    AP Archive footage of scenes from Operation Deadlight showing the sinking of German U-boats by RAF Coastal Command off Northern Ireland.

    During the Battle of the Atlantic the U-boat menace had plagued Allied shipping. As early as 1944 the British government had begun to draw up plans for the destruction of the German U-boat force following the end of the war. Following Allied victory in Europe, 156 U-boats surrendered either side of the Atlantic in early May 1945.

    Forty-two surrendered U-boats moored at Lisahally, Northern Ireland, 12 June 1945. (Royal Navy photograph A 29241 from Imperial War Museum)

    Of these 156 U-boats. 138 were transferred to Lisahally in Northern Ireland and Loch Ryan in Scotland to await their future.

    At the 18th Meeting of the Tripartite Naval Commission on 29 October, it was decided that all unallocated submarines were to be sunk in open seas no later than 15 February 1946.

    Of the 135 U-boats moored in Northern Ireland and Scotland, 116 were marked for destruction – 86 from Loch Ryan and 30 from Lisahally – ; while remaining 19 were divided amongst the Allied powers.

    On 31 October the Royal Navy were given orders to began the disposal of the U-boats.

    Formal orders were issued on 14 November for the scuttling in deep water off northwest of Northern Ireland of 86 U-boats from Loch Ryan and 24 from Lisahally to commence on 25 November with boats from Lock Ryan.

    The U-boats were to be unarmed and towed 130 miles to a designated position and sunk by demolition charges. Weather permitting, a number of U-boats were to be sunk by the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm, while others were to be sunk by Royal Navy submarines.

    Free Polish Navy destroyer ORP Krakowiak towing German Type XXIII U-boat U-2337 out to sea for scuttling from Lock Ryan on 28 November 1945. (Press Agency/Imperial War Museum)

    As predicted the weather in November was bad, as a result 50% of the boats foundered under tow not making it to their designated position: either sinking or having to be sunk by gunfire. Only two U-boats were sunk by demolition charges, seven by submarines and 13 by aircraft.

    The 28 of the U-Boats from Lisahally were sunk between 29 December 1945 and 9 January 1946, and the remaining two were sunk on 10 and 12 February 1946.

    British Pathé footage of Operation Deadlight.
  • New Crest For NIUAS

    New Crest For NIUAS

    New Crest For NIUAS

    Congratulations to the Northern Ireland Universities’ Air Squadron (NIUAS) on the approval of their new crest. Five years ago NIUAS designed a new crest and submitted for approval.

    The beautiful crest has a crown on top with a harp and book in the centre with the phrase: Novos Finis Usque Petentes, which translates as: ‘Always Seeking New Horizons’.

    Image: NIUAS Facebook

    NIUAS is a Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve unit for full-time undergraduate students from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. It was formed in November 2015 some 20 years after the Queen’s University Air Squadron was disbanded. There are 15 University Air Squadrons of which NIUAS is the most recent.

    NIUAS operates out of Aldergrove Flying Station, located by Belfast International Airport and once-a-month from Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association for Northern Ireland (RFCA NI) HQ in central Belfast. The NIUAS activities model is delivered via four classifications as follows: Flying, Adventurous Training, Sport, and Force Development.

  • Appointment of Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland

    Appointment of Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland

    Appointment of Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Brandon Lewis MP, announced yesterday the appointment of Danny Kinahan as the first Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.


    Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland
    The New Decade, New Approach agreement to restore the Northern Ireland Executive included a UK Government commitment to appoint a Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner to act as an independent point of contact to support and enhance outcomes for veterans in Northern Ireland. Terms of appointment

    The appointment will be for a period of three years, ending on 31 August 2023.


    Danny Kinahan is a former Army officer, who served as a captain with the Blues and Royals Regiment, as Ulster Unionist Party MP for South Antrim from 7 May 2015 – 3 May 2017. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for six years prior to serving as an MP. He is also the coordinator and co-creator of the Westminster Northern Ireland Veterans’ Support Group and is Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim.

    There are an estimated 150,000 ex-service personnel of the British forces in Northern Ireland.

    Gallipoli Commemoration in Lisburn 2015. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Hugh Lynch/Oliver Breen)