08 September 2023 – 225th Anniversary Battle of Ballinamuck
2023 is the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Irish Defence Forces Artillery Corps on 23 March, 1923. This year marks 65 years of continuous service by Óglaigh na hÉireann in peacekeeping duties with the United Nations.
2023 is also the 225th Anniversary of Gunner James Magee’s heroic action at the Battle of Ballinamuck, County Longford, the final military engagement of the 1798 Rebellion.
In addition to paying homage to Saint Barbara, its patron saint, the Artillery Corps is unique within the Defence Forces, in that it has an historical figurehead, namely Gunner James Magee, from whom derives The Corps unique esprit de corps, its rich heritage, and its enduring values of professionalism, respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity.
Since the establishment of the Artillery Corps on 23 May 1923, Gunner James Magee’s courage, heroism, and resourcefulness have inspired gunners of all ranks, and his heroic stand during the Battle of Ballinamuck on 08 September 1798 has been commemorated and honoured by The Corps.
In 2018, marking the 220th Anniversary of the Battle of Ballinamuck, the Artillery Club published a paper in order to enhance the Artillery Community’s understanding of Gunner Magee. This paper presents a subjective narrative on the environment and events associated with Gunner Magee’s military service, based on historical sources, popular culture, folklore, and social memory.
To view the Artillery Club’s paper, please click here: Gunner Magee Defender of Arty Corps Values (V 25 Sep 18) by Brig Gen Paul Pakenham (Retd)
On 08 September 1798, Gunner James Magee and Gunner Casey deployed their two guns at the Black Fort, near Gaigue, accompanied by French grenadiers and Irish pikemen. A target round from the Crown Forces disabled Gunner Casey’s gun.
Rather than retreating to an adjacent bog, Gunner Magee remained with his gun. Supported by his gun detachment, a small number of pikemen, and a limited amount of ammunition, Gunner Magee made a gallant stand against all odds.
Whilst preparing his gun for further action, a chain ball struck Gunner Magee’s gun, and broke the stock of the right wheel. In order to bring the gun back into action, Gunner Magee’s gun detachment heroically stepped forward, and balanced the weight of the gun with their shoulders. When Gunner Magee fired the gun, his gallant comrades were killed by the recoil. Without any subsequent opposition, the gun was captured, and Gunner Magee was taken prisoner.
As a deserter from the Longford Militia, Gunner Magee would have expected little mercy from Lieutenant-General General Lake’s victorious army at Ballinamuck. A Crown Forces drumhead court-martial condemned Gunner James Magee to execution by hanging, as a deserter from “His Majesty’s Army”.
Arising from his defiant stand in Ballinamuck, Gunner Magee received national recognition in 1954, when the Government formally named the Military Barracks in Kildare Dún Uí MacAoidh (Magee Barracks), which garrisoned the Depot and School Artillery, and the 1 AA Regiment. This reflects an appropriate tribute to Gunner Magee, recognising his resilience and unquestioning valour in the face of superior forces, a fact that is made all the more poignant considering the futility of his heroic stand.
Honouring Gunner James Magee, the Artillery Club commissioned an oil on canvas painting of the “Battle of Ballinamuck” by Thomas Ryan PPRHA. The painting was unveiled in the Officers’ Mess Magee Barracks, in 1995. On the closure of Magee Barracks, the painting went on loan to the Officers’ Mess Column Barracks, Mullingar. Restored by Ciara Brennan MA in 2014, the painting is currently on loan to the 2 Artillery Regiment, and is on display in the Officers’ Mess, Custume Barracks Athlone.
In 1992, the Depot and School Artillery invited the Army School of Music to compose a March honouring Gunner Magee, which could be played on appropriate occasions associated with the Artillery Corps. Captain Mark Armstrong, conductor Band of the Curragh Command, composed The Magee March. In additional to the original score, the march avails of the air of the traditional folk song O Tannenbaum, (also the air for the Artillery School’s Song You’ll never be a Captain, Sir”). The inaugural rendition of The Magee March was played by the Band of the Curragh Command, under the baton of Captain Mark Armstrong, during an Open Day in Magee Barracks. Subsequently, The Magee March, or selected pieces, were played on numerous occasions by Bands of the Defence Forces School of Music, in the context of Artillery Corps ceremonial events.