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| Reference |
DOD/2/72148 - PART 1 and PART 2
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| Title |
Ceremonial. Applications by Association of Old Dublin Brigade, IRA for loan of rifles-Collins, Griffith Commemoration. Also, attendance of Army Personnel at Commemoration
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| Scope and Content |
PART 1: File commences with a request received by ‘phone from the Association of the Old Dublin Brigade for them to have a Firing Party, loan of rifles and ammunition for their annual commemoration for Collins and Griffith. The request is noted as the “first occasion for such an application” and is approved by the Minister for Defence (1p dated 13 August 1941). A similar application is made in writing for 1942 and includes the loan of a bugle from the Army School of Music. Details of ceremony/arrangements sought show that following a Mass at Berkeley Road Church at 1100hrs, a procession to Glasnevin ensues to arrive at the Cemetery for 1200hrs on 23 August. (Wreaths were to be laid and no speeches made). The matter is the subject of various minutes, internal to the Department and with the Military Authorities, including the recovery of empty brass blank cartridges and safe return of rifles and the bugle and is approved on 20 August 1942. (/9 to /20). A request for the attendance of the Defence Forces for the 25th Commemoration at Glasnevin is refused and the Association reverts to its usual planned ceremony. Administration difficulty in supplying rifles for the occasion leads to a letter from Major General Piaras Beasli, (/42 dated 16 August, 1949) and a meeting is arranged with the Department of Defence and the Association. and a Defence Forces Firing Party was provided for the ceremony on 21 August, 1949. A Memorandum outlining briefly the history of requests from the Old Dublin Brigade for the annual Collins/Griffith ceremony, granting of these requests and the decision of the Government of 20 November 1951 regarding the “firing of rifle volleys…by military personnel on ceremonial occasions should be restricted to graveside ceremonies” ..,and as regards “deceased members of the Old IRA, Citizens Army etc …the firing of rifle volleys except at graveside ceremonies at funerals should be discouraged” …and recent decisions on the matter is forwarded to the Minister by the Secretary (/175 dated 29 July 1952).No change is effected. The approved form of ceremonial was put to a meeting of the Association and accepted by the Committee on 17 August 1954. Lt Col P.J. Whelan and Comdt D. O’Brien of the Defence Forces attended and briefed the Committee (/192 dated 18 August 1954). A decision not to have Defence Forces participation for the ceremony of 1957 and the offer of rifles and the participation of Army drummers and bugler “in civilian attire” leads to a letter in protest from Maj Gen Beaslai ( /217 dated 24 July 1957). In subsequent years, requests for a Defence Forces Guard of Honour are not acceded to, neither is the offer of rifles made.
PART 2: File continues with requests from the Association Old Dublin Brigade (Oglaigh na hEireann) for the attendance of an Army Guard of Honour at the annual Collins-Griffith Commemoration. The policy of refusing military participation, issued by the Minister for Defence on 12 July 1957 continues. The last such request received and on file is dated 18 July 1972.
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