Next week marks the 90th anniversary of the handover of Kilkenny’s James Stephens Military Barracks from the occupying British forces to the new Irish Free State Government.
In order to celebrate the occasion, the Defence Forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Flynn of the Third Infantry Battalion, Southern Command, will host a service of commemoration in the barracks on Wednesday February 8.
The festivities will commence at 11am, when an honour guard will prepare for the mayor’s arrival in the James Stephens Barracks.
Troops will then march into the barracks from the O’Loughlin Gaels start point. A parade will then form on the James Stephens Barracks Square, where prayers will be offered by Father McCarthy, the barracks chaplain.
A number of people, including the Mayor, will then address the parade. After the parade has been dismissed, there will be a tree-planting ceremony to mark the occasion.
At 12.30pm there will be a presentation, which includes topics such as the military history of Kilkenny, a history of the Irish Defence Forces, and a history of the barracks and those who were stationed there over the years.
On the same day, in the evening, the Collins 22 society us holding an ‘Evening of History and Heritage’ in the Set Theatre in Langtons Hotel.
Guest speakers include Mayor Fitzgerald, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, Lt Lawrence Scallon, who curates the barracks museum, and Mary Claire O’Malley, grandniece of Michael Collins.
Admission is €5 and refreshments will be available.
