The Artillery Club commends the significant involvement of the Artillery Corps and Regimental Sergeant- Major Dillon (Ceremonial Section – DFHQ ) in the 1916 Centenary Commemorations.
This album of photographs provides an insight into the role of the Artillery School, the 1 Artillery Regiment and the 2 Artillery Regiment in numerous Stage ceremonies, throughout Ireland, which took place in 2016.
Both the 1 and 2 Artillery Regiments provided marching elements in the Easter Parade. 2 Artillery Regiment also provided a Troop of 105mm Guns and a BV 206 AD Vehicle. The Gun Salute was fired from the Royal Hospital Kilmainham (photo on page 1). Lieutenant Avril O’Rourke was the Gun Position Officer and Sergeant Damain Quinn was the ranking NCO.
2 Artillery Regiment provided Honour Guards at Liberty Hall and Kilmainham Gaol, with Lieutenant Avril O’Rourke OIC and Sergeant Derek McKevitt as the ranking NCO. Captain Danille Murphy, Adjutant 2 Artillery Regiment read the Proclamation in Bolands Mills. The 1 Artillery Regiment participated in the Cork Parade and the commemoration ceremony for Thomas Kent.
The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was presented to serving personnel of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Forces at Dublin Castle, on Sunday 4th December 2016. Following the ceremony in Dublin Castle, medal parades were conducted throughout the Defence Forces.
The awarding of the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who have served during the centenary year of 2016. The award highlighted the Government’s appreciation of the excellent work undertaken by the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both at home and overseas, and the commitment to excellence which is a hallmark of the Defence Forces.
Photographs courtesy of the Defence Forces.
