An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 6 | REMEMBERING THE ARMADA 2018 An event commemorating Sligo's links with the Spanish Armada 'Remembering the Armada' took place on 21st - 23rd September 2018. Spanish and Irish Naval Service personnel took centre stage in the weekend's events, in particular in the Twilight Parade, which followed the path taken by Spanish Armada Captain Francisco de Cuéllar, whose firsthand account vividly describes the tragic events as they unfolded at Streedagh in 1588, where over 1,000 Spanish lives were lost during Winter storms. The Spanish Naval vessel OPV Atalaya also visited. Minister for Justice & Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, made the official opening of the new Spanish Armada Interpretive & Visitor Centre in Grange. Marie Casserly, Independent Councillor, Sligo County Council is pictured with Admiral Jose Antonio Ruesta Botella and Commander Cormac Rynne, Naval Operations Command. Cllr Casserly said, "It was an honour to have the Spanish and Irish Navy join us again for the third year in a row for our commemoration and remembrance events. I would like to thank Lt Cdr Sean Linehan for his help and for his participation also." www. spanisharmadaireland.com. Photo: Marie Casserly MURPHY BARRACKS BALLINCOLLIG REMEMBERED On Friday, 28th September 2018, members of the 1 Field Artillery Regiment Association gathered in Ballincollig to unveil a plaque, dedicated to the memory of all those who served in Murphy Barracks from the 1940 to the day they Marched Out in 1998. The plaque was unveiled by Col Daly, EO 1 Bde and Sgt Steve Geary (Retd), and was sponsored by Starbucks of Castle West Shopping Centre. CQMS Larry Finnigan paid a warm tribute to all Officers, NCOs, Gunners and civilian staff who served in Murphy Barracks. Photo: CQMS Retd Gerry Cosgrove POLO MATCH Pictured at the 11th Annual Cup of the Argentine Republic Polo Match event, which was held in Phoenix Park on the 7th September 2018 are (l/r): Miss Biance Bandarra, Argentinian Ambassador Her Excellency Laura Bernal, and Comdt Adrian Watson, HQ 2 Bde. Photo: Comdt Adrian Watson, HQ 2 Bde 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'MARCH OUT' FROM FITZGERALD CAMP The 20th Anniversary of the 'March Out' of the 1 Cavalry Squadron and closure of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy on 28th September 1998, was commemorated on 11th October 2018. A ceremony was held at the Memorial Wall in the old Camp location during which wreaths were laid by Comdt Pat Moroney, OC 1 Cav Sqn, Martin O'Keeffe, Vice-Chairman IUNVA and Tom McCarthy, Chairman Fermoy Post 25 IUNVA. Many former Officers, NCOs and Troopers of the Squadron attended and they were joined by local councillors Deirdre O'Brien and Noel McCarthy. Former DF COS Lt Gen Seán McCann (Retd) represented the Cavalry Club and many IUNVA Post 25 (Fermoy) members were joined on parade by fellow veterans from Posts 5, 24 and 27. Also on parade with their former comrades was a contingent from the 1 Cav Sqn, now stationed in Collins Bks, Cork. Following the ceremony the parade re-formed in Brian Ború Square to replicate the Squadron 'March Out' of 20-years ago. Led by veteran piper Anto Byrne the IUNVA Colour Party, marched ahead of IUNVA members and former Squadron personnel, followed by 1 Cav Sqn armoured and command vehicles marched across Kent Bridge and through Pearse Square, en route to Post 25 HQ and Collins Bks, Cork, respectively. Words: Ken Kelly/Photo: Pat Quinlan DF BAND ON THE DOWNLOAD Attend any state event in Ireland? Be it presidential inaugurations, centenary celebrations or the visit of foreign Heads of State – well one of the bands of the Irish Defence Forces would have been there performing music by Irish and international composers based on Irish melodies. A selection of these compositions is available on Rhapsodic Winds, a new recording of The Band of the Irish Defence Forces from RTÉ Lyric fm. The music can be downloaded from iTunes and can also be purchased through Lyric fm's website: https://bit. ly/2A6LXC1. Photo: Cpl John O'Brien, DFSM FETTERCAIRN YOUTH HORSE PROJECT Pictured at the horse awareness week in Fettercairn Youth Horse Project in Tallaght, Dublin are 2/ Lt Benson-Byrne, Pte Aoife Curran on Ringwood Abbey and Pte Mark McKenna from the Army Equit Sch. The Garda Mounted Unit and the Lord Mayor of the South Dublin CC, Mark Ward were also in attendance. Photo: Pte Aoife Curran, Equit Sch

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