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HANDOVER CEREMONY OF AIKEN BARRACKS
The centenary planning process for Aiken Barracks
was initiated back in February 2021, by Lt. Pádraic
Agnew and Sgt Riccardo Lucchesi, who established
a commemorative committee on the direction of the
2 Bde Commemorations Board. The plan from the
start was to mark all key dates and engage with local
historical groups, to promote and share the history
of Aiken Barracks with the people of Dundalk and its
locality.
Commemorative Committee Planning
The Aiken Barracks commemorative committee
consisted of Military personnel and several local
historians / authors, along with a number of family
members of the 4 Northern Division, Óglaigh na
HANDOVER CEREMONY
OF AIKEN BARRACKS
By Lt Pádraic Agnew & Sgt Riccardo Lucchesi
hÉireann, who took the hand over from British Forces
on 13 Apr 1922.
The committee met several times on the lead up to
the centenary of the handover of Aiken Barracks to
commemorate the Barracks handover appropriately
and respectfully, as well as several key Civil War dates,
which followed the main event.
Aiken Barracks Commemorations Programme
The Aiken Barracks commemorative programme
was compiled by the committee, who felt it was very
important to open the history to the public. As a result,
the programme was divided into two parts; ceremonial
and the historical lecture series.
27 Inf Bn entering Aiken Bks
27 Inf Bn on route to Aiken Bks
27 Inf Bn marching on to the square
Soldiers dressing from the right
