Kilflynn - Memorial

On Sunday August 10th a commemoration took place in Ballyorgan Co. Limerick to  honour the five local men who lost their lives in wartime, one of those being L/Cpl David Best of The 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. who died on the 4th May 1916. A stone was unveiled in their memory at Kilflynn Church. Representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Irish Guards Association (ROI), the Royal Air Force Association, Chairman Liam Nolan and Secretary Colette Collins of The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association and the Irish Great War Society took part in the commemoration.

Upcoming Events - WW1 Centenary

Due to the centenary of the First World War, various events will be taking place in various location throughout the Munster region in August and September. Below is a list of the confirmed dates for those who are interested in attending them.

23 August
First Word War Open Day in Cork Public Museum
25 August
Opening of ‘Timeline - First World War’ in Cork City Hall
30 August 
Triskel Arts Centre Family History Day - Cork Christ Church 
31 August
Bandon Festival
06 September
Official Opening of Great War Exhibition in Cork Public Museum
20 September
Open Day - Spike Island
27 September
Killarney - RMF and WFA Exhibition
03 October
Celebrating Cork’s Past Exhibition - City Hall

Honourary Life Membership

At the last AGM it was proposed and agreed by the members that one of our original members, Mr. Oliver Griffin would be bestowed with Honourary Life Membership of The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association. Ollie was one of the founding members of the association back in 1992 and has always been an active member. Ollie, who is now the President of The RMFA was thrilled to accept the honour and was presented with his Honourary Life Members Certificate from The RMFA Chairman, Mr. Liam Nolan today today in Mallow.

Killorglin WW1 dead remembered

On Monday 4th of August t2014 exactly 100 years on from the start of WW1 the people of Killorglin Co, Kerry came out in force to remember those men from the area who had fought in the conflict. Many of those who went never came home and those who returned lived with their scars for the rest of their lives. Mr Stephen Thompson of The Killorglin Archive Society was instrumental in the gathering of the names of all of these men and great credit must go to him and his colleagues for the unveiling of the plaque.

Etreux - 100

The 27th of August 2014 will mark the 100th Anniversary of The Rearguard Action at Etreux in which the 2nd Battalion of The RMF were surrounded by a much larger German Army. Many men of the battalion lost their lives that day and many more were captured and were to spend the next 4 years as Prisoners of War. Mike McLoughlin who is one of our members will lead a Battlefield Tour and will be present in Etreux and many more from The RMFA will attend in a private capacity. There will be some of our members travelling from as far away as Canada to be there. Throughout the day, Professor Hedley Malloch, Ph.D. who lives and teaches in the area and is also a member of both The RMFA and The WFA has organised a number of events. The time table is listed here for those of you who may be interested in attending the various ceremonies.

Etreux time table 2014

PDF Version

The History of Ballymullen Barracks by Robert Tangney.

Over the last few months Tralee historian Robert Tangney has been preparing to publish his book on the history of Ballymullen Barracks. Our previous Secretary Jean Prendergast was one of those who has given Robert some invaluable help with information and photographs. Robert will be launching his book on Tuesday June 24th at Tralee County Library at 7pm. All are welcome to attend and the book will be on sale priced €15 with an optional extra of €3 for a map of Ballymullen dated 1912.

 

Book Launch Poster

My Kingdom by Mike Donoghue.

Many months ago one of our members in Canada contacted me about a book which he was in the process of writing. The book was based on the life of his Grandfather who served with the Munsters in both India and The Great War. Mike’s book is now complete and has been published. I have read the book and i can assure you that it is well worth buying. The book is listed on Amazon and can be found under Michael F. Donoghue or by clicking on the link below.

 

My Kingdom by Mike Donoghue