An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 35 new fLagPoLe or DFTC By CAPT EMMET GALLAGHER, PSO TO GOC DFTC PhotoS CoURtESy oF MR REGGIE DARLING, SGT KARL BYRNE AND THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND T he Defence Forces training Centre (DFtC) in the Curragh, as its name suggests, is the main training centre of the Defence Forces, incorporating many Corps schools and the United Na- tions training School Ireland (UNtSI). Although the Curragh has been a military assembly area since early medieval times, the first permanent military buildings did not go up until 1855 when the British Army erected wooden structures that included a post office, fire station, ten barracks, two churches, water pumping station, courthouse and a clock tower. In 1879 the first modern barracks were built and by the late 1800s the camp became a divisional headquarters and training ground for soldiers fighting in the Boer War. The handover to the Irish Free State army after the War of Indepen- dence took place on May 16th 1922. In line with British Army tradition the departing troops cut the flagpole down, which meant that the first time the tricolour was raised the flag pole had to be physically held upright by Irish officers. In 1928 the seven remaining barracks were renamed after the executed signatories of the Proclamation: Plunkett, Connolly, Ceannt, Clarke, MacDermott, MacDonagh and Pearse. The Curragh Camp was used to intern Allied and Axis prisoners dur- ing the Emergency (1939-1946) and Republican prisoners during the Troubles (1969-1999). In recent years the Curragh Camp has seen extensive renovation and development, which continues today. The flagpole is the heart of any military post or installation and holds pride of place in all barracks and camps throughout the country. The DFTC has recently relocated the Formation flagpole from McDermott Square to a central location at the entrance to the Curragh Camp, on the road dividing the east and west of the camp. As this project was undertaken during the centenary of 1916 it was decided to incorporate a theme relevant to the Easter Rising in the de- sign. Accordingly, seven standing stones surround the new flagpole in a half crescent, representing the seven signatories after whom the DFTC's barracks are named. The driving force behind this venture was Bty Sgt Eric Byrne, DFTC HQ, who oversaw all elements of the project from its inception, with as- sistance from Engineering Group, DFTC, led by Comdt Dominic Noone, and the Office of D Engineers. The first flag raising on the new flagpole was marked by a simple ceremony at 0800hrs on Monday 17th October 2016. A representative body from all DFTC units and members of ONE attended the ceremony. The flag was raised by Lt Ken- neth Deegan and Sgt James Pearse (a grandson of James Connolly) both from Transport Group, DFTC. f View of the water tower from McDermott Square. This picture of the Curragh Camp (circa 1850) was taken from the Garrsion Church facing west towards Dunmurray Hill, with the camp in its infancy of development. A British flag can be seen flying from the flagpole located on the site where the current water tower now stands. The Curragh Camp today, with the new formation flagpole standing close to its original site. Brig Gen Joe Mulligan, GOC DFTC, with Sgt James Pearse at the first flag raising on the new flagpole.

• Cover