An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HANDOVER OF BERE ISLAND BY HELEN RIDDELL, BERE ISLAND PROJECTS GROUP PHOTOS BY CPL EOIN CURTIN, 1 BDE ARTY REGT AND AS ACCREDITED O n Wednesday 26th September 2018 Bere Island marked a key date in its history when it commem- orated the 80th anniversary of the handover of Fort Berehaven, Bere Island with a function held at Rerrin Military Barracks, Bere Island. In 1922, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the Brit- ish withdrew from most of Ireland but kept the deepwater treaty ports, at Berehaven and Cobh in Cork and Lough Swilly in Donegal in order to protect their Atlantic convoys. The ports were handed back to the Irish Government in 1938, with Bere Island being the final port to be handed over on September 26th 1938. Winston Churchill however, was appalled by the decision and in an address to Parlia- ment that year he called it a 'folly.' On 22nd September 1938 an advance party from the Irish Defence Forces arrived on Bere Island. The actual handover was completed in a rush on 26th September; so much so, that most of the islanders didn't know it was happening. However, as the British were loading their equipment on to boats to depart Bere Island, an order was received to stop loading and to halt the handover. The British ordered the Irish gunners out of the fort at Lonehort and back to their billets in Rerrin. The Irish Government reacted speedily and insisted that the handover be completed by nightfall, thus ensuring that Ireland secured her neutrality and avoided becoming involved in World War Two. The commemoration event was organised by Bere Island Projects Group with participation by 1 Brigade Artillery Regi- ment, Collins Barracks, Cork. Guest of honour was Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy. Family members of the Irish Defence Forces advance party from 1938 were also in atten- dance. Cork Coun- ty Mayor, Cllr Patrick Gerard Mur- phy spoke of Bere Island's strategic role in world mili- tary history, "This event here today, which is being supported by the Heritage Council as part of the European Year of Cul- tural Heri- tage, marks not only Bere Island's rich military heri- tage and the resilience of its people but also acknowl- edges the role the island has played in European his- tory over the years. Whilst geographi- cally, Bere Island lies on the furthest reaches of western Eu- rope, the shel- tered waters of Berehaven Harbour gave safe harbour to the British fleet which lay at anchor here during World War One, and also to the battle- ships and submarines of the US Navy in their role of protecting the Atlantic convoys." As it did in 1938, the Tricolour was raised over Fort Bere- haven at 12.01pm. This was followed by a 21-gun salute by 1 Bde Arty Regt, the playing of the National Anthem by the Band of the Defence Forces, followed by a fly past over the island by the Air Corps. Bere Island Projects Group extended thanks to 1 Bde Arty Regt from Cork for all their support in arranging the com- memoration event for the 80th anniversary of the hando- ver. They also thanked the Department of Defence for their continued support in preserving the island's military fortifications, most notably with the current development of Lonehort Battery as a visitor attraction, and for support- ing the island community by allowing their facilities to be used for various cultural and sports events. The Bere Island Projects Group is also grateful to the Heritage Council of Ireland for financial support in holding this event. Fort Berehaven handover in 1938, photographed by Fr Bob Murphy, a Bere Island native and Irish Defence Forces chaplain. Lt James McKeown, 1 Bde Arty Regt raised the flag for the 80th anniversary of the handover. Photo by Anne Marie Cronin Photography

• Cover