An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | Background and Context In the programme for government it was decided to award: "…a 1916 medal to all members of the Permanent Defence Forces who are in service in 2016 and to serving members of the Reserve Defence Forces in 2016 as part of the single force concept." Fittingly, the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is being awarded to members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served in 2016 to celebrate and commemorate the Centenary year. The medal serves to honour the legacy of continuous service by Óglaigh na hÉireann to the State since its foundation and to acknowledge the central role of Óglaigh na hÉireann across all seven strands of the Centenary programme throughout 2016. Each medal is contained in a presentation case, with a message to each recipient from Government, as follows: An Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain 1916 The 1916 Cente- nary Commem- orative Medal Bronntar an bonn seo ortsa, comhalta atá ag fónamh in Óglaigh na hÉireann, i mbliain seo an chomórtha, 2016. Is com- hartha speisi- alta buíochais atá sa Bhonn Comórtha Céad Bliain maidir leis an tseirbhís neamhleithlea- sach a thugann saighdiúirí, mairnéalaigh agus aerchriúnna Óglaigh na hÉireann, atá ag fónamh ar son na hÉireann agus mhuintir na hÉire- ann ó bunaíodh an Stát. Tríd an mbonn seo a bhronnadh ort, déanaimid comóradh ar chéad bliain ó Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916 agus aithnímid an ról tábhachtach a bhí ag Óglaigh na hÉireann i saol na hÉireann san am a caitheadh agus atá acu i mbliain seo an chomórtha. Rialtas na hÉireann, Mí na Nollag 2016. An Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain 1916 The 1916 Cen- tenary Com- memorative Medal This medal is hereby award- ed to you, a serving mem- ber of Óglaigh na hÉireann, in this cente- nary year of 2016. An Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain is a special token of our apprecia- tion for the selfless service of the volunteer soldiers, sailors and aircrew of Óglaigh na hÉireann, who have served Ireland and the Irish people since the foundation of the State. In awarding you this medal, we commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising and we recognise the central role played by Óglaigh na hÉireann in the past and in this centenary year. The Government of Ireland, December 2016. General The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D. signed a Defence Force Regulation (DFR) in the Yearly Series - An Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain 1916, The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal – on 01 De- cember 2016, thereby given effect to the new medal. Medal Design The medal is a dark bronze alloy 35mm in diameter, fashioned (after the manner of the official Defence Forces crest) in the form of a circle of flame representing the sunburst on which eight points of a star are superim- posed. The letters 'I' and 'V' are embossed on the left and right of centre of the sunburst, denoting Irish Volunteer. On the reverse side shall be inscribed the dates '1916 – 2016 Logo with the seven diamonds'. AN BONN COMóRTHA CéAD BLIAIN 1916 (The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal) Photo by Armn Adam Murphy

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