Good Evening Gents 10th October 2019

Following on from our very successful attendance at the Spanish Armada Commemorations in Sligo in Sept which was arranged by our National PRO Terry Cummins,we received a invitation to attend Spain's national Day on the 10/10/2019 in the Gresham Hotel Dublin.

The following attended representing the Irish Naval Association (INA) myself and Bernie, our PRO Terry and Margaret Cummins.our Vice President who traveled up from Cork Andy Mac Sharry and the Dublin Branch Secretary Alan Ryan. We were met on arrival by the Spanish Ambassador and his wife from the start made very welcome. The Army and Air Corps had officers in attendance including a Brigade General. Also in attendance was the Russian Military Attache and to keep a balance the US Military Attache. During the reception the Spanish Ambassador came over to us and thanked us for attending there Ceremony is Sligo and asking us back next year saying that the Ceremony is getting bigger every year.


13th October 2019 Irish Naval Association Dublin Branch attended the Annual Mass in Casement Airdrome for deceased members of the Air Corps. The weather was terrible but there was still a very large attendance. Because of the weather the wreath laying Ceremony was held indoor, I laid a wreath on behalf of the INA. There was tea / coffee and biscuits in canteen after the Mass. The ceremony next year is going to be held on the second Sunday of May 2020.

PS, A few of us attended a tour of the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park in the afternoon which was arranged by Sean Brennan,this was the last tour of 2019 but it will start again next year and I would recommend this to anyone with a interest in Irish History. The guide we had was very informative and knew his stuff.


9/11/2019
The Irish Naval Association (INA) received a invitation from the President and Board of Directors of the ONE to attend the 59th annual Mass and wreath laying Ceremony in the Garrison Church Cathal Brugha Barracks on Saturday the 9/11/2019 to Honour the soldiers who lost their lives in the service of peace on behalf of the UN at Niemba, Congo on the 8/11/1960. Bernie and I attended along with the Secretary of the Dublin Branch of the INA Alan Ryan.The following were in attendance the C/O of the Barracks,French Ambassador,Deputy lord Mayor of Dublin,British Military Attache,Flag Officer of the Irish Navy,UN Vets from all over the Country ,along with ONE members. I laid a wreath on behalf of the INA along with about twenty more. Because of the weather the Wreath laying Ceremony was held indoor. Following the Ceremony light refreshments were served in the dining complex where there was plenty of finger food. I had the opportunity to talk to the CO of the Barracks who is only delighted to have us using the Barracks and the mess after our Meetings.

10/11/19.
The Irish Naval Association (INA) received a invitation to attend Remembrance Sunday (Evensong) at St Patricks Cathedral Dublin at 1500hrs on the 10/11/19 in memory of all those who lost their lives in the World Wars . Bernie and I attended along with Paddy O Byrne on behalf of the INA.The welcome was given by Very Reverend Doctor W.W. Morton, The first Lesson was read by H.E Ms Anna Sochanska,Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. The Second lesson was read by H.E Robin Barnett,C.M.G Ambassador of the United Kingdom, The Exhortation was read by Major Brian Duffy,Chairman, RBL Republic of Ireland. The last Post , the Silence, Reveille and the Kohima Epitaph was rendered. A wreath was laid at the War Memorial by Mr Michael D Higgins President of Ireland,and by Lieutenant Colonel Ken Marin President of the RBL Republic of Ireland. We were thanked by both Brian Duffy and Ken Marin for our attendance. The Chief of Staff and the Flag were also there along with Charlie Flanagan and other Government Ministers and the Diplomatic Core.

Is mise, Le meas.
Bryan Gildea
President of the Irish Naval Association