24
HANDOVER CEREMONY
OF FINNER CAMP
The centenary celebrations in Finner Camp, was a
day to mark, not only the 100th anniversary of the
handover of the camp to the newly established
Irish state but also 100 years of close ties with the
local community and a proud history of service on
island and overseas.
The day's celebrations began with Mass in the
Church of our Lady Bundoran officiated by Very
Reverend Eamon Canon Munster and the 28 Inf
Bn Chaplain Father Gerry Carroll. The mass spoke
of the history of the unit and remembered those
who had given their lives in the service of Óglaigh
na hÉireann. The unit colours were marched into
the chapel by 2/Lt Andrew O'Connor and blessed.
On conclusion of the Mass the unit formed up to
parade through the streets of Bundoran.
Whilst the mass was ongoing in the local chapel,
the camp hosted children from the local schools
of St Macartan's and Magh Éne college and were
treated to an historic weapons display and video
display by Col O'Carroll (retd) looking at the
history and equipment of soldiers stationed at
Finner Camp over the years before travelling to
the town to enjoy the parade.
At 1100 hrs the unit marched through the town
led by OC 28 Inf Bn Lt Col Morgan and the 2 Bde
band. The parade triumphantly continued into
Finner Camp and onto the main square with an
overflight from the Air Corps to commemorate
the long history of Air Corps personnel being
stationed in the Camp.
OC handed over the parade to acting unit 2IC
Comdt Bridget Clarke and took to the podium to
By Capt Daniel McChrystal
Photos By Airman Sam Gibney
28 Inf Bn marching through the gates of Finner Camp
GOC 2 Bde Brig Gen Cudmore receiving the handover of the Parade
OC 28 Inf Bn Lt Col Morgan addressing the Parade
