Ireland's Military Story

Tag: Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel

  • ONE Launches Veterans Leadership Initiative

    ONE Launches Veterans Leadership Initiative

    ONE Launches Veterans’ Leadership Initiative

    There are approximately 150,000 former members of the Irish Defence Forces, permanent and reserve. The majority still live in Ireland, an unknown number live abroad. Ex-service personnel go on to live very fulfilling lives and take on challenging new careers. A new initiative by the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) sets out to explore and promote the leadership and resilience skills of former Defence Forces personnel in Irish society. On 6 April 2022, ONE will host its first ‘I Am A Veteran’ Seminar on Resilience and Leadership.

    There are a wide profile of Defence Forces veterans across ages, branches, time served, and backgrounds. As part of the “I Am A Veteran” Campaign, ONE are seeking to reconnect with many former comrades to attract them into the organisation and to bring about a new way of engaging with the veterans’ community. The Seminar series initially aims to attract veterans with a career or business interest and to establish a new veteran business network.; a network of this type would bring value to the community and give a new way of engaging with ONE.

    By establishing the business network, ONE seeks to identify veterans who could also serve as career mentors to some younger veterans (18-35) who have left service without much in the way of career support and guidance. The hope and aim is that if a veteran requests support, ONE will be in a position to connect them with a panel of mentors to source advice and guidance. 

    Topic 1 – Walking the Walk – Reflections on Leadership

    Moderated by Declan Power, Adjunct Lecturer at the NATO School and author of the film adapted book, Siege of Jadotville, Cathal Berry TD, a former officer/operator in the Army Ranger Wing, Eoin Rochford, Private Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs and Anita Hogan Organisational Psychologist, and Series Psychologist on RTÉ’s Ultimate Hellweekgive an account of what lessons in leadership they have taken from their Defence Forces experience and how it shapes their views of leadership as senior leaders within politics and business today.

    Topic 2 – Carrying on Regardless – Instilling resilience in professional life

    Led by moderator Wesley Bourke, a former journalist with An Cosantóir Magazine now the Creative Director and co-founder of The Irish Military Heritage Foundation CLG, Ray Goggins, Director at Coreskill Training & Chief Instructor of RTE’s Hell Week, Sinead Wearen, now a Behavioural Therapist with the Health Service Executive and James McCann, MD of ClearStory International, discuss the importance of resilience in their everyday professional lives and how their experiences in the Defence Forces instilled the ‘right stuff’ to carry on regardless of when it mattered.

    Topic 3 – The Art of Team Building – Insights of how to build a winning team 

    Moderated by Phillip Quinlan, Senior Manager, Technology at Ernst & Young, Jim Gavin, Director of People and operations, Irish Aviation Authority, Aviation Regulator, and former Dublin GAA Manager, Amy O’Connor, MD of AOC Consulting and John O’Brien, Operations Director with Manguard Plus outline their experiences in team building and what aspects are needed, from the individual to mindset, to building a winning and maintain a winning team.

    Topic 4 – Does the Defence Forces create entrepreneurs? 

    Moderated by Deirdre Carbery, Board Member of ONE and Rapid Response Manager at Google, Gabriel D’Arcy, Chairperson, EnergyCloud, Morgan Mangan, Partner at AMROP and Shane Henry, CEO of Reconnaissance Group discuss business building and the key lessons they took following their experience in the Defence Forces on their own entrepreneurial journey. 

    Please register your interest to attend here:

    https://clearstoryinternational.formstack.com/forms/i_am_a_veteran_seminar_sign_up

  • Sergeant Matty Gardiner

    Sergeant Matty Gardiner

    Sergeant Matty Gardiner, 12th Infantry Battalion, Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann

    Born in 1943, Matty is a retired Sergeant from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann in Limerick. He comes from a large military family whose service dates back to their grandfather, George, who served and died with the Royal Munster Fusiliers in World War 1. His father, Peter, served in the fledgling Irish National Army and Defence Forces. At one time eleven members of his family were serving in the 12th Infantry Battalion at the same time. Matt too has a distinguished service at home and on United Nations service. Matty completed several Untied Nations tours of duty: 38th Infantry Battalion, ONUC (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo in the Congo) (1962-63), the 40th Infantry Battalion, UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) (1964), and with the 24th Infantry Group, UNFICYP (1973). Thank you to the Patrick Sarsfield Branch, Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel Ireland for their support in this production.

    • George Gardiner Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Peter Gardiner, Irish National Army
    • Mathew Gardiner United Nations Peacekeeper
  • Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    As Covid restrictions ease, veterans support has recommenced in person. Coinciding with the anniversary of the Defence Forces on 1 October, The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE Ireland) invited veterans back to the much-loved coffee mornings in barracks and support centres throughout the country. The coffee mornings gives veterans a chance to meet, catch up and chat. They a very important part of support given by O.N.E. and the Defence Forces to veterans. We were delighted to attend the gathering in The Michael Collins Club, Cathal Brugha Barracks, where veterans honoured an old comrade.

    Former 2nd Infantry Battalion Sergeant & Olympic Gold Medallist, Michael Carruth, was conferred as an Honorary Member of the Cathal Brugha Branch O.N.E. Also in attendance was Private Seán Mari from 7th Infantry Battalion & the Monkstown Boxing Club. Seán represented Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces at the 58th CISM World Military Boxing Championship last week, reaching the quarter-finals and coming home with a Bronze Medal.

    Presentations of donations for this year’s Fuchsia Appeal were made by the 2nd Infantry Battalion Association and veterans now working in ESB Networks.

    Congratulations to all involved and please remember to support this year’s Fuchsia Appeal.

  • Veterans Charity Marks 70 Years

    Veterans Charity Marks 70 Years

    Veterans Charity Marks 70 years with Launch of 2021 Fuchsia Appeal

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    For 70 years Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel: O.N.E.) has supported veterans of the Irish Defence Forces. To mark this anniversary it launched this year’s Fuchsia Appeal at Dublin’s Mansion House, the very spot the organisation was formed in 1951.

    Since its inception O.N.E. has stood to its founding principles set out by General Costello. In a 1951 message to ex-servicemen he said:

    ‘It is important that we remember what brings us together – what interest we have in common. It is quite simply the common bond of past service in Ireland in her armed forces. We are old comrades in arms wishing to maintain and strengthen old associations and traditions’

    General Costello 1951

    The fundraising appeal is in aid of Defence Forces veterans who have experienced severe circumstances including homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues. The Fuchsia Appeal campaign will take place from 25 September until 1 October. Members and volunteers will sell fuchsia emblems to raise vital funds for veterans. O.N.E.’s current services cost in the region of €1 million annually and this will rise to €1.5M to adequately address the needs of veterans and to finance the associated services such as helping veterans obtaining permanent housing, access to mental health support and helping veterans re-integrate back into civilian life. O.N.E. assist Defence Forces Veterans with transitioning back into civilian life through the provision of accommodation and providing mental health resources, including help with addiction and peer support. The charity also aids veterans in their search for employment, sustaining permanent housing and has a 90% success rate of getting people who stay in O.N.E. homes back into mainstream living. O.N.E. operates four homes in Athlone, Dublin, Cobh (opening in October 2021), and Letterkenny providing for 54 veterans. A fifth home is planned for Cork City. The charity also runs 37 branches across Ireland, along with 15 support centres. O.N.E. provides 20,000 beds annually, has kept 1,000 veterans off the streets and 90% of veterans go on to have permanent housing.

    The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Alison Gilliland welcomed the veterans to the Mansion House Round Room. She applauded the charity for the work they do and the service of the veterans they support. Commenting on the launch of the Fuchsia Appeal, O.N.E. CEO Ollie O’ Connor, said: “We are delighted to launch our annual Fuchsia appeal which is particularly poignant as the charity was established 70 years ago here in the Mansion House. Since the charity’s inception in 1951, ONE has helped countless veterans get their lives back on track and without vital funds we would not be able to continue our efforts. “The aim of this fundraiser is to honour the many veterans who have served our country and now need our help to get back on their feet. The past 18 months have been profoundly difficult as the charity was forced to cancel the fundraiser last year due to the pandemic which had a significant effect on our income. The theme of this year’s Fuchsia Appeal is “Help O.N.E. make Ireland one of the best places to be a Veteran” and through our fundraising efforts, the goal is to continue expanding on the vital services of ONE and to generate more awareness and care for our veterans.”

    Officially launching the appeal, DCOS Support, Major General Seán Clancy said:

    “It is 70 years since ONE was formed, a wonderful organisation which provides support, comradeship and advocacy for our veterans. I am very honoured to launch the annual Fuchsia appeal and support this most worthwhile of charities. The past 18 months, in the midst of a global pandemic, has heightened the challenges faced by some of our former members. Óglaigh na hÉireann recognises the need to provide support to its retired servicemen and women who are part of our Defence Forces family. We are fully committed to helping ONE and their wonderful work in supporting our veterans”.

  • O.N.E launches “I Am A Veteran Campaign”

    O.N.E launches “I Am A Veteran Campaign”

    O.N.E launches “I Am A Veteran Campaign”

    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.

    About Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel

    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.