RONAN FAGAN
Enveloped in emotion, a military ceremony to mark the centenary occasion on which the British army departed Custume Barracks following the War of Independence in 1922, graced the streets of Athlone amid much public recognition on Monday morning.
Departing from Burgess Park, members of the Defence Forces, replicated that historic moment in time, as they marched towards Athlone Castle for a special ceremony to commemorate what was one of the most significant events of 1922.
Fronted by the Band 2 Brigade which has been based in the Athlone Barracks since its formation in 1936, the military procession arrived at Athlone Castle at 11am and they were accompanied on their unison march from Burgess Park by by representatives of the 6th infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Col Oliver Clear, and present members of the 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment and the 2 Brigade Engineer Company.
Although spectator numbers viewing the military ceremony did not replicate the 20,000 personnel who viewed the exit of the British army from then named Victoria Barracks in 1922, they were able to bear witness to an historic occasion as the Irish flag was hoisted to full mast above Athlone Castle following which the Band 2 Brigade performed a rendition of Amhran na Bhfiann and ‘The Last Post and Reveille’.
From the surrounds of Athlone Castle, local actor, John McGlynn, delivered the speech made by Commandant General MacEoin of the Free State Army on the day of handover, the rousing speech noting that Athlone “shall no longer represent the symbols of British tyranny but would be a guarantee to the people of Ireland of their freedom, a guarantee to enable them to live in peace, prosperity and progress”.
Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, Lieutenant Oliver Clear, the current Officer Commanding at Custume Barracks, noted that current Defence Forces members owe much to their predecessors from this particular era.
“One hundred years on, those of us serving as part of Óglaigh na hÉireann owe much to our predecessors from that era. They laid the foundations for what has been a centenary of distinguished and unbroken service at home and oversees.
“It is a very great honour for all of us involved with this ceremony today to have the opportunity to commemorate these very significant events in the history of our State,” Lieutenant Colonel Clear remarked.
Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Frankie Keena, paid tribute to the Defence Forces for the excellent manner in which they marked the historic centenary occasion.
“I would like to sincerely thank Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Clear OC and the 6th Infantry Battalion for organising this military parade and flag raising ceremony. It was an honour for me to be in attendance to witness this marvellous and emotional occasion which was followed by an excellent rendition by John McGlynn of Commandant General MacEoin’s famous speech in Athlone Castle on that historic day in 1922.
“As we reflect on the prevailing atmosphere one hundred years as the soldiers of the Irish National Army marched through Athlone and the gates of Custume Barracks, that feeling of pride, emotion and joy must have been amazing to witness and would have been further enhanced with the lowering of the British Union Jack and the raising of our Tricolour in its place over Athlone Castle,” Cllr Keena stated.
The Cathaoirleach paid due recognition to members of the local public who afforded their full support to the military parade and ceremony gathering in large numbers to witness a replication of a significant moment in the history of Athlone.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Athlone who came out and lined the streets of the town on Monday morning and saluted our Defence Forces as they walked in the footsteps of the Irish National Army led by Commandant General MacEoin a century ago.
“Further gratitude is afforded to our Defence Forces, Athlone Castle management, the Westmeath County Council Heritage Officer and the Gardai Siochana for their united organisation of this significant occasion.
“Finally, as we celebrated the centenary exodus of the British Army from Athlone last Monday I am very conscious and concerned that today, one hundred years later, Ukraine is presently fighting a war from an invading Russian Army, casting much shame on President Putin,” Cllr Keena concluded.
