Launch of ‘18pdr Field Gun 9168 – Lost and Found’ Exhibition NMI Collins Barracks Dublin
On 09 February 2023, an exhibition titled ‘18pdr Field Gun 9168 – Lost and Found’ was launched in the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Dublin.
The launch was opened by the Director of the National Museum of Ireland Lynn Scarff, Lieutenant-General Seán Clancy Chief of Staff addressed the attendees, and Dr Catriona Crow formally launched the exhibition.
Attendees included Brigadier-General Tony Cudmore GOC 2 Brigade, Colonel Mathew Byrne Director of the Ordnance Corps, Colonel Patrick White President of the Artillery Club, Sergeant Robert (Bobby) Delaney with his family and his comrades of Ordnance Base Workshops, Brenda Malone Curator Soldiers’ and Chiefs’ Exhibition, Brigadier-General Paul Fry Chair of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust, and members of the Artillery Club.
The 18-pounder Mark II QF Field Gun, Serial Number 9168, with its distinctive type of recoil system, was discovered in the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, Woodbridge, Virginia 22194-0346 in 2016, authenticated, recovered to Ireland by the Defence Forces, and restored to its original state by the Ordnance Corps.
On loan from the Defence Forces, the 18-pounder is currently on display in the Soldiers and Chiefs Exhibition.
During its visit to Ordnance Base Workshops on 21 April, 2022, the Artillery Club availed of the opportunity of saluting the considerable research, and significant conservation and restoration work undertaken in the Workshops since 2017 by Captain Daithí O’Flynn, and Armament Artificers Sergeant Robert Delaney (i/c Project), Sergeant Cregan and Sergeant Sexton, under the guidance of Commandant Stephan Mac Eoin, Defence Forces Heritage Officer, Commandant Lar Joye (Army Reserve), and assisted by Mr Sven Habermann.
Photographs of Launch (2023), Discovery (2016), Recovery and Conservation, courtesy of the Defence Forces, Commandant Lar Joye, Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd) and Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd).
For slide show, please click on the first photograph: http://
