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HANDOVER CEREMONY OF SARSFIELD BARRACKS
To mark the centenary of the
takeover of Sarsfield Barracks, a
ceremonial event and open day were
organised. Opening the barracks to
the people of Limerick demonstrated
the strong connection between the
soldiers of the 12 Infantry Battalion
and the locality. Celebrating events
in this manner allowed the external
civilian and internal Defence Forces
audience to reinforce the key
messages around our origins, history,
values and traditions.
The commemoration started
with a parade through the city of
Limerick followed by a ceremony
on the Barracks Square. Troops of
HANDOVER CEREMONY
OF SARSFIELD BARRACKS
By Lt Jonathan Hughes
Photos by Airman Sam Gibney
the 12 Infantry Battalion, both PDF
& RDF formed up on Pery Square
and marched through the gates of
Sarsfield Barracks at 1000 hrs, led
by the band of 1 Bde. The parade
included vintage Defence Forces
vehicles and more modern MOWAG
APCs. The parade commander, Lt Col
Pat Murnane, addressed the parade,
discussing the history of Defence
Forces personnel in Sarsfield
Barracks, from the conflict between
pro- and anti-Treaty to more recent
support to the State, such as the
response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significantly, he addressed the
families of the troops, thanking them
12 Inf Bn troops begin their March from Pery Square towards
Sarsfield Barracks to begin the Centenary celebrations
All historical pictures received & Centenary
celebration pictures taken by Cpl Michael Walsh,
Sarsfield Barracks Museum curator.
