June 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.
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Here is a brief account of the two ofticial Functions in June.
Wednesday 7th June 1800hrs.
There was only the two presentations on the night, the one from the Diplomats was a Newbridge Silver Salver and our INA Plaque which he was very pleased with.
The chief of staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett was there with his wife Liz and their son, and the Commanding Officer of the Air Corps Brigadier General Paul Fry. Also there was the American Military Attache with his wife, along with cadets from England and Scotland on board. It had already been agreed that the presentation of the Irish Naval Association Plaque to the Captain, and a presentation of Irish Naval Association Tie and Cuff Link set to the Spanish Ambassador was to be presented in the Captains Cabin. About a hour after we arrived an officer came to us and asked us to accompany him to a meeting with the Captain , We were brought to a very special Ward Room it was only stunning and he emphasized it was only used for special occasions.The Captain and his senior officers were present along with the Ambassador and some of his Staff all standing in a semi circle. We presented our Plaque to the Captain and the Captain presented us with one already inscribed to the INA. We then presented the INA Tie and Cuff Link set to the Spanish Ambassador.
The funeral Mass took place in the Town land of Lisgarude Kilruane outside Neagh in Co Tipperary. The first three rows on the right hand side of the Church was reserved for the INA. Six members of the Dublin Branch of the INA and two members of An Slua Muiri one with his wife travelled down from Dublin with a large number of Members of the Limerick Branch of the INA and one from the ONE in attendance. The Burial took place in Lisboney Cemetery on the Old Dublin Road after wards. Jims wife Brigid Sons Paul ,Conn and daughters Sorcha and Niamh made us very welcome and invited us to a local Hotel the Abbey Court where we had a lovely three course meal on Jims instructions.
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 President of the Irish Naval Association, Bryan Gildea, Lays a wreath at the German War Memorial in Glencree |
 The Annual Mass for deceased members of the Waterford Branch of the Irish Naval Association (INA) was held on Sunday the 26/11/17.Our National PRO Mr Terry Cummins arranged accommodation in the Fitzwilton Hotel which is just across the Bridge from the railway station, some of our members stayed for three nights and made a long weekend of it. On Saturday we had a National Executive Meeting in the Hotel. The NEM was well attended with members from Dublin/ Waterford/ Cork and Limerick in attendance. There were some items on the agenda that could not be decided at the NEM so they have been carried forward for the next NEM which will be held prior to our AGM on Saturday the 24/3/2018 at 11.00 Hrs. Our Gala Dinner which was a Black Tie Affaire which was held in the Hotel later that evening. The Menu for the evening was Roast Beef or Salmon with plenty of Veg. the remarks after dinner was very complmentry to the Staff and the food. During the Dinner music was provide by OUR Regular Musician Mr Tommy Carroll who did a lovely job. After Dinner the Dublin Branch made four Presentation for long service. The four Recipents were Mr Michael Roberts, Mr John Hannon, Mr Dermot Kelly and our overseas representive Mr Liam Lyons, and to say that all four were surprised is an understatement. The Committee of the Dublin Branch (who made the awards) kept the decision very secret and told nobody. Mass on the Sunday Morning was held in the Church of the Holy Family with Buses provided for us all to take us to the Mass. This was arranged by Terry Cummins. In attendance at the Mass were the following. The Deputy lord Mayor of Waterford Cllr John Cummins, Lt Col Robert Duggan Ex Off Defence Forces Training Centre. Lt Alan Dalton NSR. Sergeant Dave Butler Representing An Garda Siochanna, also Members from the ONE / Civil Defence /Irish Coast Guard/ RBL/ and Piper John Burke. A very special word of thanks must go to the Barrack street Band under the Baton of Mr Mark Fitzgerald who were outstanding and a pleasure to listen to. After Mass we went to the Roanmore GAA Club for Lunch of Spare Ribs and Cabbage/ Mash, Music was supplied by our usual musician Mr Dick Quinn where a great sing song was held. A raffle was held for the INA Waterford Branch and the Long family George and Ann cleaned up winning about four prizes. Monday we all made our way home to the different parts of the country after having a great weekend all thanks to Waterford Members of the INA and their wife's. A special word of thanks and praise must go to the Management and Staff of the Fitzwilton Hotel who could not do enough for us over the weekend.
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Saturday 10th June 1830hrs
The funeral of Lt Cdr (Rtd) Jim Corrigan. on Sunday 5 November 2017 Ex An Slua Muiri, Irish Shipping and the Irish Naval Association.