An Cosantóir

in focus The Naval Association T BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY TOM LAWLOR he Naval Association was established in 1962 and termed An Cumann Chab- hlaigh. The Naval Association and its Constitution was ap- proved in May 1977 by the then Minister of Defence, Mr Oliver J. Flanagan, TD. Membership of the Association is restricted to serving and retired Officers, NCOs and Ratings of the Naval Service, the Naval Service Re- serve (formally An Slua Muirí) and the Marine Service (1939- 1946) and the Maritime Inscrip- tion (1939-1947). At a meeting held at the Stella Maris Seafarers Club, Dublin on March 24th 1992, an Executive Council was elected and the first branch of the association was formed and subsequently called the Leading Seaman Michael Quinn Branch after L/S Quinn DSM who in 1990 gave his young life (27) in an attempt to rescue 16 stranded Spanish Sail- ors from their stricken trawler Nuestra Senora de Gardtoza, (Our Lady of Gardtoza) on rocks off Bantry Bay. The aims of the Association are: • To promote Social, Cul- tural, Educative and Sport- ing Activities. • To establish a compre- hensive listing of all ex members of the differ- ent sections of the Naval Services since 1939. • To render Aid and Assis- tance, when necessary. • To promote and further interests in matters ap- pertaining to the sea. • To maintain the sea faring traditions of the Irish Nation. Active Branches of The Naval Association have been estab- lished in Dublin, Waterford, and Limerick. On Sept 11th 2011, The Irish Naval Association was invited to participate with the RNA at their Bi-Annual commemoration cer- emony to the Cenotaph in Lon- don. With over 360 Shipmates parading in Whitehall London with 62 Area and Branch stan- dards and the National Standards of the Royal Naval Association (RNA), The Royal Marines As- sociation (RMA), The Association of Wrens (WRNS) and the Irish Naval Association (INA). Prior to the ceremony in Lon- don, the INA spent the preceding evening with the RNA Birken- head Branch. Where a great evening was had by all, with a singing competition taking place between the two organisations, and according to the RNA "The Irish Association contingent lead the singing but the drink- ing competition was declared a draw!" INA National PRO Terry Cummins presented the chair- man of the Birkenhead Branch with a framed embroidered INA Crest. The Irish Naval Association also wants to say a big thank you again to their Secretary Tony Cheyney and Becky and all the lads for a great evening... For further info: The Naval Association, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Naval Service Reserve HQ, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Ph: 01 2986614 email: navalas- sociation@eircom.net Web: http://homepage.eircom. net/~navalassociation/index. htm or Declan Pendred Nation- al General Secretary Ph: 087 6998724 Irish Naval Association President Gerry Kennedy, laying a wreath at the Cenotaph memorial. | 9 Note the privileged position given to the association at the Cenotaph. Commodore Mark Mellett DSM (FOCNS) and Lt Malachi O'Gallagher (Retd.) INA after receiving the Christy King Asgard Award at the presentation of the NA Service Medal awarded by National President Gerry Kennedy Naval Association. Irish Naval As- sociation General Secretary Declan Pendred parades our Colours. www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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