An Cosantóir

curragh 90th | 21 Army, but also for the British Forces, as this was their largest withdrawal from Ireland. He also made the point, that the takeover of the Curragh, provided a major base for the Irish Army, from which to operate, providing a footprint for the new state. This was historically very important, as this was before the outbreak of the civil war. The scene on the 16th May 1922, still recalls that day is Holy Family Sister Veronica Treacy, a native of the Curragh who recently cel- ebrated her 100th birthday. She recollects the "huge pride" and "sense of occasion and history" felt by all those present who witnessed the event. The ceremony ended at midday, on the Curragh was in the region of 2,000 personnel, composed principally of the Leicester's and Northampton Regiment's. They proceeded to the railway siding at the racecourse, where they embarked for Dublin. One of the few people who as it was 90 years before, with the raising of the Tricolour on the Watertower, the playing of Amhrán na Bfhiann by the 4th Western Brigade band, and all Officers saluting as the Tricolour reached its rightful place on the Watertower of the Curragh. Also on parade that day was when the handover took place, would have looked a little different from the commemoration. Ac- cording to historical records, while the flag ceremony itself passed off smoothly, there was great tension and excitement in the air as Lt General JJ O'Connell, then As- sistant Chief of Staff, climbed the watertower to hoist the Tricolour for the first time. The British Forces remaining Water Tower with the Tricolour flying today View of the Curragh Camp looking West (Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland) View of the Curragh Camp looking East (Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland) View of the Water Tower from McDermott Square (Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland) on show was the last Union Jack taken down from the Watertower, plus the newsreel of the first Tricolour flying over the water tower. This was the beginning of many major commemorations which will occur over the next 10 years, beginning next year with the centenary of the Irish Volunteers, 1913 – 2013, from whence we came. Sliabh na mBan, the armoured car used by General Michael Collins. It will also be the 90th anniver- sary this august, of his death at Beal na Bláth. A reception was held afterwards at the Curragh museum, www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE Brig Gen Seamus O Giolláin (GOC DFTC)

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