An Cosantóir

18 | Dec 25th 2011, Christmas day was viewed from a different perspective for the troops of the 105 Inf Bn this year, as the Bn maintained its intense programme of patrols and security duties throughout the festive period. The cooks of the Bn worked feverishly from the early hours that morning to prepare what was a Christmas dinner of note for over 400 troops. Dec 17th 2011, B Coy, 105 Inf Bn, organised a children's party, in conjunction with Fr Marios Khairallah and other locals, which was held in the church hall in Ayn Ibil. The party drew 500 children from all of the nearby villages including Rmeish, Ayn Ibil, Dibil, Alma, Tibnine, Yaroun, Al-Bass Palestinian Refugee Camp (Tyre), and BRASHIT. Irish Bagpipers played a number of traditional tunes as well as guitar- ists who also played a number of Christmas favourites. Santa Claus greeted all the children and gave each child a gift bag and refresh- ments. A Theatre play was conducted by a group from Beirut. This was a very important event for the local community and Irishbatt and was made all the more special by the fact that everything purchased for the event came from money raised by the troops of Irishbatt. Dec 15th 2011, the 105 Inf Bn 'Irishbatt' had the privilege of wel- coming the Force Commanders Reserve (FCR) Commander, Col du Gardin to Camp Shamrock, UN Post 6-5. The FCR Commander was rendered full military honours. This visit by the FCR Comdr was very much welcomed by Irishbatt and certainly improves and strengthens our relationship with the FCR. Dec 29th 2011, B Coy 105 Inf Bn hosted a Pln from the FCR at UN Post 6-50. B Coy Comdr Comdt Robert Hurley provided a display of some of the equipment at Irishbatt's disposal. Likewise Lt Bachelier provided a display of FCR Equipment. Picture shows Pte O'Halloran explaining the Accuracy in- ternational Sniper Rifle to FCR soldiers. The event was enjoyed by all present and demonstrated the excellent work- ing relationship between Irishbatt and the FCR as we move towards a New Year operating in South Lebanon as one under the UN. An Cosantóir February 2012 Dec 23rd 2011, Irishbatt in association with UNIFIL provided a generator for the village of Haddathah, South Lebanon. It will be used to provide electrical power to half of the village for 6hrs a day, the other half is being powered by an exist- ing generator. The money was raised by soldiers of both the 104 and 105 Inf Bns. This was also an important occasion for the soldiers of Irishbatt given the long history shared by them and the people of Haddathah. Lt Col Philip Brennan, presented the generator to Mustafa Mansor, Mayor of Haddathah, who spoke of how much the generator meant to the village and thanked both Irishbatt and UNIFIL for its provision.

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