June
Attended the Funeral of May Kirwan in Finglas. May was a Associate Member of the INA and Sister of Eileen Walsh and Sister to John (Jack) English who passed away while on a trip to Liverpool with the INA. Eileen lost another sibling two weeks later when another brother passed away in England.

July.

5/7/17. Attended a Executive Meeting in the Ashling Hotel also in attendance were Terry Cummins our National PRO and Treasurer. Andy MacSharry our Vice President who came up from Cork and our Nat Secretary Declan Pendred.

6/7/17 Attended the Funeral of Jim Fardey in Waterford four of us caught the early train.Jim was the CO of the Waterford Company of An Slua Muiri which is now the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). There was a large turnout from Waterford / Cork / Limerick and Dublin in attendance. After the Mass there was a Guard of Honour made up of NSR/ INA and Personnel from the Waterford Fire Brigade where Jim was a full time member. After the Burial we were all invited back to the Ramada Hotel for three course meal with drinks, unfortunately the lads from Dublin had to depart all to quickly as we had to catch the train back to Dublin.Jim must have been very proud of his two Sons who are Captains in the Merchant Shipping Company Mersk who were in Uniform on the day. Our National PRO Terry Cummins took the opportunity while we had time to spare to have quick Meeting with the Manager of the Fitzwilton Hotel where we are having our Christmas Party this year just to make sure everything was in order. The one comment that was on everybody's lips on the day was how Jim was a true gentleman to everybody he met.. May He Rest in Peace. One final word about the day was how well John Byron and the rest of his shipmates looked after us on the day. Thank You All.

8/7/17We had been invited to attend the Royal British Legion Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the National War Memorial Gardens Islandbridge. Bernie and I attended with a good complement of personnel from the Dublin Branch of the INA. Alan Ryan did the Honours for us carrying our Colours in the Parade of Standards.We took the opportunity to be introduced to the Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe TD and have a group photograph taken with him and also explain to him who we are. As a boy growing up I lived not far from the War Memorial Gardens which were in a mess at the time with nobody looking after them, Now they are immaculate and well worth a visit thanks to the work of the OPW. FYI one of our Colleagues Michael Moore (Zippy) Grandfathers name is in one of the Books which are held in the Gardens Museum which has over 50000 names in them.

9/7/17 My wife and I and a large Group of the INA with their families including our Vice President Andy MacSharry, attended the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham Dublin. This event is always well attended with a large Group of INA Personnel traveling up from Limerick for the Ceremony. The President Michael D O'Higgins and his wife Sabrina were in attendance as was the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellet with lots of TDs and Senators. The weather was kind to us and a great day was had by all.

14/7/17 We were invited to attend Bastille Day in the French Embassy. Bernie and I attended with our National Secretary Mr Declan Pendred. There were over a thousand people in attendance with plenty of food /drink and music. As we came into the Gardens we were warmly welcomed and introduced to the new Ambassador who has not taken up the position yet as he has not presented his Credentials to our President. The Army got a very big thank you for the Tents they provided and put up as we had a few showers and they were well used.