An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 6 | naval service reserve The Dublin Unit, Naval Service Reserve (NSR) received their 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medals in Cathal Brugha Bks on the 21st February 2017. Two members of the Unit were also awarded their service medals from OC Shore Ops, Commander Cormac Rynne. Photo: Cpl Colin Delany, HQ 2 Bde. 'tHe man WitH tHe camera' Members of HQ DFTC held a function in Ceannt NCOs Mess to mark the retirement of Sgt JJ Ryan. JJ was well known within the Curragh Camp as 'the man with the camera' – his photos have graced these pages for many years, and it is fitting that he gets the regcognition he deserves having made sure every event he covered was sent in. Pictured L/R: CS Paul Hanley, Cpl Bernie Byrne, Sgt JJ Ryan Retd, Comdt Mick Murphy, Sgt John O'Brien and Lt Col Colin Dwyer. Photo: Coy Sgt Paul Hanley, HQ DFTC. comD Us army africa visits eUtm mali Members of IRCON 8 pictured with Maj Gen Joseph Harrington, COMD US Army Africa, on his visit to MHQ EUTM-Mali on 22nd February 2017. Lt Col Trevor Ging presented Maj Gen Harrington with the Harrington family coat of arms during his visit. L/R: CQMS P McKiernan, Sgt J Grant, Maj Gen Harrington, Lt Col T Ging and Comdt D McCarthy. Photo: Lt Col Trevor Ging, EUTM Mali. Defence forces masseD BanDs concert Members of the Pipe Band who performed at the Massed Bands Concert in Cork City Hall on Friday 24th February 2017. The guest artiste who performed with the Bands of the Defence Forces was Mairead Buicke. Photo: Cpl Christine O'Leary, HQ 1 Bde. Presentation to Ulster toWer managers On 7th February Maj Gen Kieran Brennan, D COS Ops made a presentation to Mr Teddy Colligan and his wife Phoebe who between 2002 and January 2017 were the resident custodians of the Ulster Tower Memorial in France near the battle of the Somme WW1 Battlefield. Over the last 15 years Phoebe & Teddy welcomed and entertained many serving and retired DF visitors to the Ulster Tower. The Colligans visit to Dublin was organised by a representative group of retired Cavalry Corps officers, all of whom over many years had experienced the unique hospitality offered by Phoebe & Teddy. Col Max Walker (UK Defence Attaché), Brig Gen (Retd) Paul Pakenham (Irish Military Trust), Comdt Lar Joye RDF (National Museum) and Mr Michael Thompson (IUNVA) were guests at this event which was hosted by Cols (Retd) Hayes, Kerton & Heaslip and Capt (Retd) Bohan members of the Cavalry Club. Photo: Cpl Lee Coyle, PR Branch. Donation to Brú na BHfiann Kayleigh, an employee of Noonan Facilities Management Services in Dublin won a hamper at the Staff Christmas Party which included a donation to her chosen charity. The donation was originally a smaller amount but after Kayleigh gave a great account of the importance of the work that is ongoing at Brú na bhFiann the management of Noonan increased the original donation from €700 to €2,250. Kayleigh kindly chose Brú na bhFiann, ONE's Homeless Initiative in Smithfield. The home is dedicated to helping those who served in the DF and who are now in need of a home. Kayleigh is pictured giving the donation to the House Manager Richard Dillon.

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