Shamrock presentations to Royal Irish Regiment in Newtownabbey
The presentation took place at the soldiers’ base in Abbots Croft.
Last weekend, Irish soldiers across Northern Ireland and England were on parade to receive their Shamrock in time for the annual celebrations.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPresentations took place in Enniskillen, Newtownabbey, Lisburn, Belfast and Ternhill in Shropshire.
The Royal Irish Regiment have also been on parade to receive their shamrock at ceremonies in Thiepval.
Queen Victoria decreed that because of their valour at Ladysmith and the Boer War, Irish soldiers should wear Shamrock for Saint Patrick’s Day as a mark of honour.
At Enniskillen, where recruitment is underway to increase the size of the 2nd Battalion assault pioneer platoon, the Lord Lieutenant for Fermanagh Lord Brookeborough presented clusters of shamrock after to officers and soldiers as well as to local veterans.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAt Ternhill in Shropshire, the presentation of shamrock provided a slight break in a heavy training schedule as the battalion re-roles to light mobility concept with new Foxhound vehicles.
The battalion will shortly move to Germany to exercise this role alongside the US Army.
In the Autumn, one Royal Irish Regiment will be in Spain on a large multi-national exercise.