This year’s Army Open Day at Custume Barracks takes place on Sunday September 11, and will raise funds for the South Westmeath Hospice and the Army Benevolent Fund.
On the day you will be able to see a display of military skills, fun events, and a parachute display by the Defence Forces.
The open day will begin with a parade from Golden Island Shopping Centre at 1.30pm to Custume Barracks, where activities take place until 6pm. The parade will include the Band of the 4th Western Brigade, members of the 6th Infantry Battalion, members of the 4th Cavalry Squadron and Armoured Vehicles. There will be bucket collectors along the parade route.
The family-themed open day will see a number of events on the main square in the barracks, including a bouncing castle, soccer penalty competition, Defence Forces recruitment tent, signals display with communications equipment, ordnance display with bomb disposal equipment, engineer mine awareness/clearance display, parachute display, Cavalry Squadron display, armoured car display, light tactical armoured vehicle display, artillery display by the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, medical display, and a helicopter display by the Army Air Corp.
At the dining complex there will be a UN display, demonstrations from the karate club, face painting, and a shop with tea/coffees, scones, burgers and more.
All areas will be supervised by members of the 6th Infantry Battalion and the activities on the square will be supervised by qualified physical training instructors and NCOs.
There will be no admission charge on the day, but bucket collectors will be raising money for the South Westmeath Hospice and the Army Benevolent Fund. The event has proved popular in recent years and last year raised €10,000 for local charities.
