Members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion Association paraded at Dublin’s Mansion House today to commemorate the convening of the Second Dáil on 16 August 1921.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland inspecting the Guard of Honour provided by the veterans of 2nd Infantry Battalion Association
Taking the salute from the veterans at the Mansion House the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland, said: “It is an honour to welcome the Second Infantry Battalion veterans Association to the Mansion House today to mark the centenary of the first meeting of the Second Dáil in the Round Room at the Mansion House.”
Local Defence Force and Royal Air Force Ex-Serviceman Jimmy Dodd
Jimmy Dodd proudly holding his Emergency Medal. Photo by Terry Healy.
It was a privilege to meet and record the story of ex-serviceman, 92-year-old Jimmy Dodd. During the Emergency 1939-1946 Jimmy was living on the Dargle Road in Bray, County Wicklow, working as a messenger boy. He remembers the Emergency well. When he turned 17, he volunteered for Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces and joined the North Wicklow Battalion, Local Defence Force (LDF).
Jimmy remembers clearly firing the .303” Lee Enfield at Kilpedder rifle range and the cherished overcoat issued at the time. Jimmy’s unit was called out three times during this period. First to relieve the people in Bray after the Dargle burst its banks. People whose houses were flooded were brought to the LDF Headquarters at Rockbrae House. The second incident occurred on 12 August 1946, when a Junkers 52 with 23 passengers – French Girl Guides – and a crew of four crashed near Djouce Mt. in the Wicklow mountains, miraculously with no loss of life. Military units were mobilised to help rescue them. The third took place on the early morning of 4 March 1947, when 13km off Dalkey Island, the Norwegian MV Bolivar – of Fred Olsen and Company – hit the Kish Bank and broke up. Bound for Dublin Port with badly needed grain and other supplies its valuable cargo was sought after by members of the ration weary public. The LDF were called in to patrol the beaches and protect the washed-up cargo.
Jimmy in his RAF uniform.
Seeking adventure Jimmy headed to Belfast and enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for the Duration of the Present Emergency. He was trained as a Vulcaniser and ground crew, working on every aircraft of the period. Jimmy served throughout the UK in several bases. In 1948 Jimmy was deployed to Berlin, Germany, and recounted the devastation of the city following the war. As tensions rose between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, Berlin was blockaded by the Soviets from 24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949. The only access was by air, and the Allies launched the Berlin Air Lift to relieve the city. In 1951 he was demobbed and went on to become a plasterer, get married and raise eight children. He lives today in Sallynoggin, Dublin.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Recording Jimmy’s story.
If you know of an ex-servicemen or women from the Emergency period and would like their story recorded, please drop us a line.
This project is supported by Dublin Port Company Heritage Office.
Signing of Truce Remembered at National Day of Commemoration
Photos by Terry Healy
The National Day of Commemoration was held yesterday Sunday 11 July at Collins Barracks, Dublin. The ceremony is held on the closest day to the 11 July, the date on which, in 1921, the Anglo-Irish Truce was agreed. This year marks the 100th anniversary of that signing. The ceremony comprised of a multi-faith service of prayer and military ceremony commemorating all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
During the ceremony the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, invited the President Michael D. Higgins to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland. Other invited guests included members of the Government, Council of State, elected Representatives, the Diplomatic Corps, Judiciary, relatives of 1916 participants and a large number of Veterans’ Organisations. We were honoured to attend the event.
National Day of Commemoration, Collins Barracks Dublin.
The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel – Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (O.N.E) – celebrates 70 years of taking care of Ireland’s Veterans. To mark the occasion it has launched a national campaign titled: “I Am A Veteran Campaign”, aimed at raising public awareness about veterans and the role they play in the workplace and their local communities.
With more than 100,000 former Permanent and Reserve Defence Force personnel across the country, the campaign celebrates the diversity and experiences of those who have served as well as highlighting the challenges many veterans have faced when returning to civilian life.
Speaking about the launch of the organisation’s milestone anniversary and the launch of the “I Am A Veteran” Campaign,Ollie O’Connor, CEO of ONE said:
“We are delighted to celebrate our 70th anniversary in tandem with the launch of the “I Am A Veteran” campaign. Through our new campaign, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) is highlighting our talented, highly skilled and diverse group of veterans, showcasing members who are making a difference in our communities and across Irish and international society.”
“One of our core purposes is to provide assistance to veterans who may be less fortunate. There is strength in numbers and the Defence Forces has a large alumni whose influence has yet to be realised in representing and assisting veterans around the country and we want to activate that potential. All veterans are welcome in ONE.”
The first video launched as part of the campaign features Amy O’Connor of Roscommon, a 22-year veteran and current Career and Life Coach specialising in military transitions. Amy’s experience of transitioning her military skills to civilian life demonstrates how veterans continue to strengthen the nation even after they retire their uniform.https://www.youtube.com/embed/IpWZXo9qSgk?feature=oembed
Other veterans who will be participating in the campaign include Dr. Cathal Berry, TD and Irish Olympic gold medal winner, Michael Carruth.
Over the past 70 years, ONE has grown to 37 branches across the country with 1,000 members and over 2,000 subscribers who donate annually. It currently operates 3 homes for homeless veterans in Dublin, Athlone and Letterkenny. Its fourth house is under construction in Cobh and a fifth house is planned for Cork City leading to a total of 60 single bedrooms nationwide for homeless veterans. Across its network, the organisation has accommodated approximately 1,000 since it opened its first home. The charity also operates 15 Veteran Supports Centres nationally with 2 full-time Veteran Support Officers employed providing counselling services.
The focus of ONE is centred on supporting veterans, providing comradeship, advocating on behalf of veterans and remembrance.
Letters of congratulations to the organisation were received from the organisation’s Patron and Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins, Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney T.D., the Secretary-General of the Department of Defence Ms. Jacqui McCrum, and the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM.
For more information on ONE and the “I Am A Veteran” campaign, visit the ONE website at www.one-veterans.org.
Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnelis a provider of Support, Comradeship, Advocacy and Remembrance (SCAR) for Irish Veterans. With 1,000 members across 37 branches, ONE is the recognised veterans organisation in Ireland. The charity operates a network of 3 homes for homeless veterans that provides emergency accommodation. The organisation also operates 15 Veteran Support Centres nationally with 2 full-time Veteran Support Officers.
Wishing the Irish Defence Forces a happy 96 birthday. Under the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923 the Executive Council formally established Óglaigh na hÉireann – the Irish Defence Forces on 1 October 1924. Its predecessor – the National Forces 1922/1924 – had been a pillar in helping form the democratic institutions of the new Irish Free State. Since that time the Irish Defence Forces have remained steadfast to that mantra on land, sea, and air. No matter what the deployment, emergency, or task, the permanent and reserve men and women of the Defence Forces have stood fast to defend the people of Ireland and the democratic institutions of the State at home and overseas.
Interview with Sergeant Sharon McNamara and Sergeant Major Billy Redmond
On Friday 7 August we met up with two retired Kildare veterans to record their stories: Sergeant Sharon McNamara and Sergeant Major Billy Redmond. Sharon comes from a long line of military service with grandfathers on both sides serving in the early days of Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces. Growing up on the Curragh, joining the Amy was a natural progression. In 1981, a decision was made to recruit women under general enlistment. Along with forty other young ladies, Sharon found herself part of the Defence Forces first all-female recruit platoon. As this was a new chapter in the history of the Defence Forces Sharon had some enlightening stories to tell. At that time women could not serve in combat units. Even guard duties were off the list. This did not take long to change as Sharon explained: ‘in many ways we pioneered the way for those that came after us’. Sharon primarily served in the Administration School and the Curragh Command Headquarters. Retiring after 21 years’ service, Sharon now works for The Kerry Group in Naas.
Sergeant Sharon McNamara about life in the Defence Forces with the first all female platoon in 1981. (Photograph by John O’Byrne)
Sergeant Major Redmond is a well-known veteran from Kilcullen, who regularly writes and gives talks on his 45 years’ service in the Defence Forces. Billy joined in the late 1950s and served with the Signal and CIS Corps. Billy spent ten years on missions with the United Nations Peacekeeping, three tours in the Congo, two in Cyprus, and nine in South Lebanon. Billy’s first overseas tour was to the Congo with the 32nd Infantry Battalion and was able to give us insight how signallers operated in those harsh conditions. No smart phones back then, it was old style Morse Code. Impressively Billy can still tap out 22 words a minute.
Thank you to Jim Brady from ONE Ireland in Kildare for arranging the interviewees and to NC & JO’B Photography Studio & Gallery in Rathangan for the use of their facilities and support. Covid 19 safety precautions were observed during our interviews.
Sergeant Major Billy Redmond describing the situation in the Congo in the early 1960s. (Photograph by John O’Byrne)
This project is sponsored by County Kildare Heritage Office and Creative Ireland.
Irish troops depart for the Congo July 1960. (Image: Defence Forces Archives)
Ireland Deploys to Congo 60 Years Ago Today
60 years ago today, Ireland deployed troops on its first battalion size United Nations deployment.
The Congo became independent from Belgium on 30 June 1960, in turn triggering a sequence of destabilising events. The Belgian commander, Lieutenant General Émile Janssens, refused to rapidly ‘Africanize’ the officers’ corps of the Force Publique (the army), resulting in disorder and mutinies. To protect Belgians remaining in the country, the Belgian government decided to intervene. Belgium also sent troops to support Moïse Tshombé the President of the mineral rich breakaway province of Katanga. South Kassi also seceded.
Amid continuing unrest and violence, the United Nations deployed peacekeepers to help the central government in Léopoldville under President Joseph Kasa-Vubu and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Involvement by the Soviet Union split the Congolese government further worsened the situation.
The United Nations Operation in the Congo (French: Opération des Nations Unies au Congo, ONUC) was rapidly established. ONUC was formally established by UN Security Council resolution 143 (1960) of 14 July 1960, by which it decided:
“to authorize the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps, in consultation with the Government of the Republic of the Congo, to provide the Government with such military assistance as might be necessary until, through that Government’s efforts with United Nations technical assistance, the national security forces might be able, in the opinion of the Government, to meet fully their tasks”
ONUCs initial mandate was to ensure the withdrawal of Belgian forces from the Republic of the Congo, to assist the Government in maintaining law and order, to provide technical assistance, and help to establish and legitimise the post-colonial government. It was modified as the situation evolved. The first troops reached Congo on 15 July 1960, many airlifted by the United States Air Force as part of Operation New Tape.
Dáil Éireann quickly passed legislation allowing the deployment of Irish personnel to the Congo. Ireland became one of thirty countries from around the world to provide peacekeepers for the mission. Just over two weeks later the 635-strong 32nd Infantry Battalion ONUC departed for the Congo on 27 July 1960. A month later the Irish contingent was brought to 1,000 with the arrival of the 33rd Infantry Battalion ONUC. The Irish contingent was further boosted when an Armoured Car Group began operations in the Congo on 15 January 1961.
Irish troops in the Congo 1960. (Image: Defence Forces Archives)
The ONUC mission in the Congo lasted from 1960 to 1964 during which time 6,000 Irish troops served. During that time twenty six Irish soldiers lost their lives in the service of peace.
Taking part in our Kildare’s Veterans’ Story project today was Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces veteran Dr Cathal Berry TD in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Cathal is an Independent TD for the constituency of Kildare South. Cathal is a father, husband, doctor, veteran and is a resident of Portarlington, Co. Laois. He is married to Orla and is the proud father of their young children Tom and Katie.
Prior to becoming a TD, Cathal spent 23 years in the Irish Defence Forces. He entered military service in with the Cadet School, Military College, Curragh Camp in 1995. After a tough 21 months training he was commissioned into the Infantry Corps. During his time in the Defence Forces, he spent six years in the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) and served overseas in the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East. In 2008, Cathal led an ARW unit in Chad. He later took a self-funded career break to qualify as a medical doctor in Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
He subsequently worked in the HSE Ireland hospital emergency departments all over the country and then returned to the Defence Forces where he was appointed head of the Military Medical School in the Curragh, Co. Kildare. He retired from service at the rank of Commandant.
Dr Cathal Berry TD with two members of his team: Lesley Walsh and Philip Coy, both of whom are also former members of the Defence Forces. Lesley, a Newbridge native, spent 24 years in the Defence Forces, serving in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, DFTC, and Chief of Staff’s Division, DFHQ. Philip (Busty) is a Curragh native serving 24 years in the Defence Forces primarily in the Military Detention Unit and the Transport Company in the DFTC. (Photo by John O’Byrne)
Wesley Bourke interviewing Dr Cathal Berry TD . (Photo by John O’Byrne)
This supported by Kildare County Council Heritage Office and Creative Ireland.
The annual National Day of Commemoration took place today at 11:00a, today to commemorate all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. The principal ceremony was held in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin, with smaller events taken place around the country. The event is held on the Sunday closest to the 11 July, the date on which, in 1921, the Anglo-Irish Truce was agreed.
Due to Covid 19, restrictions were in place and this years event was much reduced with no members of the public in attendance.
During the ceremony the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD invited President Michael D. Higgins to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland. Other invited guests include members of the Government, Council of State, elected Representatives, Diplomatic Corps, and Judiciary.
The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) today marked the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at Arbour Hill. The earlier planned annual commemoration to coincide with 29 May (UN Peacekeepers Day) was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Today’s event was in full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, offers a chance to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel’s invaluable contribution to the work of the United Nations and to honour more than 3,900 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 102 last year.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought new challenges, but peacekeepers around the world are continuing their operations to the best of their abilities and supporting the governments and the local populations, despite the risk of Covid-19.
The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, we must do more to achieve women’s equal representation in all areas of peace and security. Together, let us continue to wage peace, defeat the pandemic and build a better future.
Secretary-General António Guterres
At Arbour Hill, United Nations veterans, Defence Forces personnel and members of An Garda Síochána paid tribute to the 96 Irish who lost their lives while on UN service, including civilian personnel, members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána.
Also today those in attendance marked the retirement of Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Patrick Leahy.
