The Story of the Disbanded Irish Regiments

A hundred years ago, the creation of the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland) led to the disbandment of six regiments of the British Army which had traditionally recruited there. This video provides a brief overview of their story.
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[@davidmonkman6677]

Whether Irish Scottish English or Welsh those who fight for the UK deserve our thanks for their service

[@maxwellfan55]

Not forgetting our brave Irish brothers and sisters serving (have served) in the RN, RFA, RAF, RM, Merchant Fleet and all affiliated corps, most especially nursing, medical and auxiliary services. We couldn't have done it without you.

[@user-bh4rx8mf8g]

Well said.

[@anthonycosgrave8539]

In the great war I had 8 members served. My grandfather was wounded at Mons with the Royal Irish Regiment. He was taken prisoner whilst in his hospital bed and spent three years as a POW in Zerbst Germany. His brothers served with the 8th and 14th Hussars and the 4th Queens Own Hussars (KIA). Two more brothers served with the Leinster Regiment and his uncle served also with the same Regiment. Another great uncle was KIA at Gallipoli in 1915 with the Munster Fusiliers and I also lost a great uncle at 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) with the Dublin Fusiliers. Most of these men were old soldiers and had served pre WW1. My grandfather never spoke about his treatment by the Germans but I managed to get his testament from the National Archives. In WW2 i had uncles serving in the RAF and in the army in the far East. This year I attended the 100th anniversary of stand down ceremonies for these stood down regimentsin different parts of the Republic Of Ireland.

[@overopensights]

Many of the Irish soldiers who were members of the six disbanded Irish Regiments went direct into the British army.. During the 1960s and 1970s we had in our battalion about 15 to 20 Sons and the grandsons of the 1922 disbanded Regiments. In 1967 our Regimental Sergeant Major was a grandson of disbanded Irishman from 1922. It must have been very sad to see those wonderfully decorated and traditional regiments leave the order of battle.

[@MichaelKng-fk5jk]

Very much, some grand traditions lost

[@pablotheScot56]

I was EME of 1 Royal Irish in Osnabruck in the early 90s. There were a lot of southern Irish serving then. In fact, I am pretty certain the CO was from the south.

[@MichaelKng-fk5jk]

@@pablotheScot56 Yes 1st Bn mainly Southern Irish, 2nd Bn in Lemgo were mainly North Ireland and some English

[@catherinemcgroggan8557]

My great granda was in the British Army from about 60-69 ish but I don't know where, he was Irish born down south but was living up North in West Belfast when he joined

[@arthurtaylor4391]

​@@pablotheScot5688

[@richardsawyer5428]

Irish people are so integral to British history, culture and our future. Their contribution to military and civilian life is immense. Thank you for helping defend our nation.🇨🇮🇬🇧

[@khiggins7231]

Thank you Richard. There are a great many descendants of the British plantations in Ireland. English surnames are common and especially common in the East of the country . Similarly Irish surnames as a result of immigration are very common in the U.K.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Agreed. Like the time we gladly gave up our land, language culture and heritage to be British... or when we volunteered to be slaves in the Barbados..and not forgetting the time we dieted for the good of the empire back in Black '47... ahhh, the good old days. I know what you mean.

[@bigbird6039]

@@wolfthequarrelsome504 well it hasn’t stopped your country men and women still making a good life through every strata of British society. Probably because they don’t waste time dwelling on things that were done to people now long dead by people now long dead.

[@allenomalley4014]

@@wolfthequarrelsome504 Looks like lots of people did that you're not special or alone in that

[@meagherpaul1]

My grandad was fighting in Mesopotamia WW1. he was in the connought rangers but ended up with malaria and shipped home, he said shortly after, all his comrades were slaughtered in Turkey. Brave man who loved till 93 but always said "if it wasn't for that mosquito, none of you would be alive, ". God bless them all.

[@peterbrown1012]

There is about 2000 irishmen from the Republic serving in the British Army, mainly The Royal Irish Rangers and The IIrsh Guards.

[@wessexheathen5708]

Royal Irish Rangers now known as The Royal Irish Regiment.

[@irishdepartmentofagriculture]

That's nonsense. I was in the British Army in the 1990s and the figure was only in the hundreds. Doubt it very much that there is anything close to 2000

[@peterbrown1012]

@irishdepartmentofagriculture 1 2022 figures is 930 plus reservists.

[@irishdepartmentofagriculture]

@@peterbrown1012 That sounds more realistic

[@henrysevern]

First class video, important for the millions of U.K. citizens who have Irish ancestors, especially those who served in these regiments.

[@monarchist1838]

I’m in the British Army Reserve. I’ve met several guys from the Irish Republic serving full time in her Majesty’s Armed Forces. I asked one why he wasn’t in the Irish Defence Forces, he said if a young Irish man wants a military career then he needs to look elsewhere.

[@Dabhach1]

There's always the French Foreign Legion...

[@bahoonies]

@@Dabhach1 True but then you have to learn French in addition to military skills.

[@philiprufus4427]

The H L I whose depot was Maryhill barracks in Glasgow (demolished around 1960) were known localy as'The Hairy Legged Irishmen' because there was so many Irish in the regiment. According to one retired officer I met they disgraced themselves in Denmark during a N A T O excercise by not obeying orders promptly and excesive drinking.The regiment despite this,has a fine record and there is a monument in nearby Kelvingrove Park to the their tragic losses in The Boer War as partof The Highland Division. Imagine Scots and Irish squaddies having a fondness for the drink, unheard of. However I only have the late Major Grants word for the story,and though I would not have doubted his military recollections, great old raconteur that he was.It has to be said that in the late Majors company, you were never short of a Glen Grant whisky yourself.

[@SnakePliskin762]

@@Dabhach1 British armys better and better promotion prospects.

[@heybabycometobutthead]

@@philiprufus4427 That's so weird, my Dad was in the Paras in 70's and only last week told a story about Glaswegians getting so drunk on a trip to that part of world, they bought a bottle of liquor each when they got to the continent and by the time they got to the destination they were all passed out drunk completely fu#*ed up 😂

[@bigjohn697791]

I am from the ROI served 14 years in the RA (Royal Artillery) my last post was in 24 Irish Bty as an Instructor

[@tommoon5063]

Up the Ra! Gota laugh😅

[@bigjohn697791]

I should be a bit more specific RA (Royal Artillery)

[@bugler75]

Im from Northern Ireland and I appreciate the extra difficulties yous encounter by signing up. Take care brother. Ian from the Black North!

[@gavindouglas3196]

Sorry sir my mistake thank you for your service

[@tommoon5063]

@@bugler75 Not as black as the free state atm..... God bless us all.

[@davidharris4062]

People from the Republic still serve, there was a photo of HMS Queen Elizabeth leaving Portsmouth for CSG21, the family’s were waving them off from the Round Tower, the only two flags being waved in the picture were the Irish Tricolour and the Welsh Flag

[@camrenwick]

Respect and gratitude to them

[@khiggins7231]

My GrandUncle from Galway who was in the Connaught Rangers was killed in Ypres in 1915 aged 22 years. No grave but his name is on the Menin Gate. Unfortunately he was killed the first week that gas was introduced in Ypres. We hope he didn’t suffer. His Mother was terribly upset at his death for years afterwards.

[@joebyrne3159]

Mine was killed in Ypres too, Peter Byrne!!

[@khiggins7231]

@@joebyrne3159 Any more info? Which regiment was he in and when did he die do you know? Any grave or missing in action? Which county was he from ?

[@joebyrne3159]

@@khiggins7231, he was from Drogheda, there is a Cross monument in Drogheda, leinster something, there's about 15 Byrnes on it! My brother has a copper medal, about the size of a saucer for a cup! I will ask my father, he might know a bit more, his uncle!

[@joebyrne3159]

@@khiggins7231, leinster Regiment, I got a photo on the phone of the names on the monument!

[@khiggins7231]

@@joebyrne3159 I got a photo of the name on the Menin Gate . We visited in 2015 . It was the first time anyone from the family was back. We got the regimental diaries and sketches made on the day he went missing so we know exactly where he was at the start of the day. We walked the ground that he walked on that final day towards the German trenches. We have no photo of him but recently we discovered that he sent a letter to a friend t home in Galway and the friends descendants have the letter. We are hoping to see it and get a copy of it soon.

[@johnoneill9539]

my grand father was one of those soldiers..

[@crustyoldfart]

My grandfather [ born 1855 ] transferred from The Border Regiment [ 55 th foot ] to the Connaught Rangers [ 88 th foot ]. He had six surviving children while serving with the Connaughts The birth places of many of them serve as a map of the movements of the British Army at that period. William born in Galway, David, Portsea, Edith, Malta, and my mother Cyprus. Another daughter who did not survive was born in Egypt. After serving I believe 21 years with the colours he retired to his native Cumberland and opened a successful pub. Not a bad achievement after bringing up six children on Army pay.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

And your grandmother must have been a brave and competent person, too.

[@crustyoldfart]

@@janetmackinnon3411 There can be no doubt that you are right. He died in 1916 and she in 1936, so I was too young to have known her, a fact which I greatly regret. What is amazing to me is that the professional Army with its self-imposed need to garrison so many different countries could ever have provided an environment conducive to producing a happy and successful marriage. The answer must be the quality of the wives.

[@thebeautifulones5436]

My grandfather fought with the Leinster regiment and later, when posted to Silesia in 1919 was told by one of his men on hearing of independence, "sir, we're free!"

[@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692]

Yeah imagine serving those who stole your country, while helping stealing land from others (Poland stealing East Upper Silesia from Germany, after they supported a failed/staged uprising and then threatened Germany with war)...

[@markiesmith4537]

What a lovely video - beautifully done - a credit to the National Army Museum!

[@asonofharoldgodwin]

No matter what's happened since, we cannot forget the Sacrifice of those Irish Lads who fought and died fighting for Britain !

[@brianmccarthy5557]

Sure you can. You forget it every time you approve your government keeping your colony in Ulster. You abandoned Hong Kong to the Communist Chinese. You had no problem surrendering most of the rest of your ill gotten and generally badly run Empire. But Ireland you decide to keep and have often shown you have no problem killing for. Yet you have the arrogance to condemn Putin and Russia for commiting the same crimes. The wonderful English ability to keep your heads up your collective ass.

[@22grena]

What happened since?

[@WheelieMacBin]

My great uncle fought in WW1 with the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, also known in the army as, 'The Mounted Micks'.

[@marktucker6035]

The 4th RIDG , became the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards in 1922, I was a proud member of the Regt.

[@cjwensleydale9460]

@@marktucker6035 And the 4th/7th later joined with the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards to become the Royal Dragoon Guards of today...

[@bugler75]

I initially went to join the ‘Skins but the Colour Sergeant Recruiter was a Royal Irish Ranger. Can you guess the Regiment that I originally joined?! 😁

[@Bunty1962]

My Grandfather fought with the Royal Munster at Gallipoli and my father in the RAF during WW2. My Grandfather suffered on for years after Gallipoli with his injuries. Very proud of their sacrifice.

[@zen4men]

Britain remembers with gratitude the many loyal Irishmen who served in the armed forces.

[@peterperigoe9231]

I live near Clonmel, South Tipperary. The Royal Irish Regiment was based in Victoria Barracks Clonmel. Later to become Kickham Barracks, some beautiful buildings, it has now closed but hopefully is being preserved. they built a new plaza on part of it and have moved the Boer war memorial (for safety reasons) to a new location. The regimental chapel is now the South Tipperary Arts Centre. There is a R.I.R. association locally. My Grandfather James Doyle 1885-1959 was recruited in early 1902 and was out of reserves just before WW1, there was no conscription on the Island of Ireland but reserves were mobilised. My Grandfather was known as 'the vet' as he was gifted with horses, the recruitment photo I have of him, shows him wearing the 1902 issue leather bandana and a Royal Garrison Artillery cap badge, thus the link with horses.

[@leighrate]

That was a very complex and nuanced situation that needs to be examined in careful detail.

[@joerawlings2464]

My Great Great Uncle (an Englishman) served in the Regt on the Western Front. He physically survived the conflict, but lived out his days with his nerves shot through. God bless you George Shirley and all of your comrades.

[@robertmcqueen289]

Firstly, Interesting video. A few things:- # The Royal Irish Regiment (18th of foot), was formed in 1683, not 1695. # There are two regular Irish Regiments today in the form of HM Irish Guards. Who were formed on 1st April 1900, by order of HIM Queen Victoria, to honour the bravery of her Irish Regiments at the battle of Ladysmith in 1899. They were also created by act of Parliament. Their Regimental march is 'St. Patrick's day'. Not as some believe, because St. Patrick is the Christian patron Saint of All Ireland. But, because it was the only tune available that was instantly recognised by the soldiers who joined the Regiment from the 8 infantry Regiments of the line. It was either - A Regimental march within a sequence of marches/, an auxiliary Regimental march within a Regiment/, a Regimental tune ( tune for marching on and off the Regimental colours)/, a recruitment tune or was in a Regiments, Regimental Playoff. Just so people don't get confused. # The Royal Irish Regiment today is an amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers formed on 1st July 1968, and the Ulster Defence Regiment, which happened on the 1st July 1992. Their Regimental march is 'Killaloe'. The only Regimental march in the British army that is Band, bugles, pipes and drums. The tune is also historically a Regimental tune of the 1st Bn Connaught Rangers ( 88th of foot), and the divisional march of the 36th Ulster Division in the Great war and the Second World War. Although the former irish regiments may no longer exist in their old form. Make no mistake to think they're forgotten by the present Regiments. They are not. 12th June is a day of remembrance in these Regiments. Never forgotten, and never will be. QS / FAUGH-A-BALLAGH

[@bugler75]

Well summarised Robert, thanks. St Patrick’s Day is still played by the Royal Irish in a melody with Rory O’More and Garryowen. This combination, along with a Bugle introduction from ‘Off, Off Said the Stranger, was the original Regimental Quick March of the Royal Irish Rangers (formed on 1st July 1968 from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, thé Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers) until Killaloe was formally adopted around 1973. To this day, the Royal Irish mostly step of to this tune, informally known as ‘Old Reggies’! I realise that you are most likely to know this Robert, it’s for the benefit of others who may read this. All the best, Ian Nec Aspera Terrant, Quis Seperabit?, Faugh a Ballagh!

[@robertmcqueen289]

@@bugler75 . Well put Sir. The old set of Regimental marches is probably the most played march in the Royal Irish Regiment, as it was in the Royal Irish Rangers. To break it down for you. Rory O'More represents the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. St. Patrick's day represents the Royal Ulster Rifles, and the 6 Regiments whom handed their colours and emblems back to HIM King George V in 1922. Garryowen represents the Royal Irish Fusiliers, plus today the Ulster Defence Regiment. If the Royal Ulster Rifles, reference St. Patrick's day, doesn't make any sense tempo wise to thee. Its was an auxiliary Regimental march in that Regiment for the old 2nd Bn Royal Irish Rifles. The 83rd was 140 ppm. The old 86th was 120 ppm. The things one remembers from my old job of Assistant music librarian/March card librarian & general research dogs body for the 2nd bn The Royal Irish Rangers/Regiment & 1st Bn The Royal Irish Regiment GS, is astonishing. But was worth it. One hopes that explains the sequence for thee. Be good, and be safe Sir. QS/ Faugh-a-Ballagh

[@bugler75]

@@robertmcqueen289 Sir, You certainly know your stuff and I think our paths must have crossed! My family were all RUR which got me started to Bugle in the BB. Old Reggies, on amalgamation, originally started with the Bugle intro to Ma, look at the Rifles. I have it on LP (I think it’s the one with a Piper /Pipe Major on the cover, very early Rangers) but obviously it was dropped with time. I did most work with the Regtl Band when you came back to the Depot. I was also for a very short time with 2nd Bn Rangers too, up to and including amalgamation. I was the Bugler that at the time looked like a 12 year old and WO2 Noel B from Dublin asked me was I on the YTP scheme! He’d two brothers and a cousin in Bn. There’s a video of us in Lemgo with John S as Drum Major. Not sure if Punchy was still in the BP&D’s at that point or if he’d gone Home Service. I did an Old Soldiers Parade with Sean, Dog, Scouse B. a few years ago through Ballymena just before they were to start pulling down St Patrick’s Barracks. Im still in touch with Davy , ex C/Sgt at the time of the Depots, lead Cornet and BQMS. Im living out in France now and I’m still used by the RBL France, the French organisations etc to play at ceremonies. Are you still playing ? What were you on? I’ll have to dig out old photos 😊 Hope that rings some bells! FaB Brother. Wee Ian. FaB

[@bugler75]

2 R Irish, Lemgo kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXjWaGCKntF4pcU

[@robertmcqueen289]

@@bugler75 . One of my Regimental videos. I was a clarinettist in concert band, and the Bass Drummer in marching band. Alongside my old comrade in the pipes & drums 26. Also check out the festival of remembrance at the Albert Hall in 1984 too. Was also the principal Bass drummer for the Double Trooping in Happy Valley, Cyprus in 1993 too. That was a massive honour. Looks like as the saying goes 'we share some interesting history'. Glad to have been a part of it. Plus, that someone remembered me. Be good, and be safe Sir. Faugh-a-Ballagh

[@jamesquirk4999]

The grenadier coy of Royal Irish Regiment the 18th Foot was at Battle of Lexington the shot heard around the world and British assault during the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.

[@brianallen858]

Leading Seaman Michael Golden, SS Louvain sunk at Gallipoli, went down with the ship, the lads served in the navy as well, both of my mother's grandfather's from Wexford town died in world war 1, the other was Michael Byrne, killed in Belgium fighting the Germans, never forget, ar dheis do go raibh a Anam 🇮🇪☘️❤️❤️☘️🇮🇪

[@bugler75]

2010 and 2011 I was at Gallipoli to commemorate all who fell but particularly the Irish who fell at Gallipoli. Président McAleese was there as was Prince Michael of Kent and politicians of all creeds from the length and breadth of the island. We will remember them. Ian.

[@cordellcarmalt4633]

I have read that when Wellington neded a real breakthrough,he would send the Scots Guards, or one of the Irish regiments because both were so effective and ferocious in battle.The Irish had a reputation as being really effective brawlers in battle.

[@djharto4917]

Wellington remarked in parliament while advocating catholic emancipation “ let’s not forget it was the catholic Irish who prevailed at Waterloo”

[@johnroche7541]

Over one third of Wellingtons army at Waterloo was Irish including native Irish speakers. There was a documentary shown in Ireland about these Irish soldiers and native speakers on the native Irish language channel TG 4. The Irish regiment the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers took extremely heavy casualties at Waterloo. After the battle Wellington praised this regiment by stating "They saved my centre". There is a monument dedicated to this regiment at Waterloo today.

[@planetyouranus22]

Not many know that Wellington was born in County Mayo!

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

@@planetyouranus22he was born here but did not consider himself Irish He said “just because I am born in a barn does not make me a horse “ He believed Irish were British

[@JD19899]

@@user-ze8yy8jg1f He never actually said that, its historically incorrect.

[@peterperry5378]

I was born and live in Ireland, my grandfather served in the British army in WW2 , my granduncle died on the Repulse when she was sunk, my father served in the merchant marine, yet my grandfather on the other side served in the IRA and fought the Black and Tans here in Munster, one wonders if the Irish were treated as equals how things might have been, considering over 4 million died in the famine and ,millions more emigrated.

[@patrickf2671]

If I am not mistaken about one third of the British Army at Waterloo was Irish.

[@johnroche7541]

You are correct Patrick. It is estimated that 30% of Wellingtons army at Waterloo was from what is now the Republic of Ireland. This figure does not include Irish Catholics from the north. Some were actually native Irish speakers. I do know that an Irish language station(TG 4)in the Republic of Ireland made a fantastic documentary about these Irish speaking soldiers at Waterloo. Obviously the documentary is in the Irish language but has English subtitles.

[@paulkelly8456]

Don't forget the Iron Duke himself. Field Marshal The Lord Roberts VC at the end of the century, Kitchener and my personal favourite , the great Fuzzy Wuzzy Basher, Garnet Joseph Wolseley, eventually CinC of the entire British Army , a man who like myself could never understand why VCs were awarded at Rorke's Drift.

[@therealunclevanya]

@@paulkelly8456 I suspect the VC's were mainly to distract the public from the previous days disaster

[@carthy29]

And on the french side, many irish regiments, in fact the irish regiments in the french army pre dated the british by 150 years or more, having themselves come to france after the treaty of limerick with sarsfield. Note the famous 1745 battle of Fontenoy , where the Irish regiments won the battle, to be then lauded by the french king

[@johnroche7541]

@@carthy29 The British King also lauded praise on the Irishmen in French service who performed heroically at the Battle of Fontenoy by stating "Ah to be deprived of such subjects".

[@djharto4917]

My gran uncle served with the micks in ww2. Was a tank commander. I’m very proud of him even though he fought against the wrong enemy.

[@sugarkane4830]

Aye stood in Windsor and looked at theses colours. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@jamesquirk4999]

My grandfather joined the British Army at Dublin Castle 🏰 in March 1916 a month before Easter Uprising. He had distinguish service during World War One.

[@sabrinadonaldson6550]

Can you tell me what piano piece is used in the background of this video? ❤️

[@michaelnorton7882]

The best of the best! God bless Ireland 🇮🇪 God bless the queen

[@GingerJesusSaves]

Great video, I was one of those soldiers.

[@dannyboy5517]

Any one ever heard of the Connacht Rangers

[@sugarkane4830]

Few years ago now at the Menin gate. There was a yank in uniform with a cap badge on his chest. I asked who was it for “ my great uncle who died serving in the Connaught rangers”

[@jodyburrows1253]

A reflection on the strange relationship between Britain and ireland

[@MrRugbylane]

The Westminster Government's incompetence / indifference and cynicism in dealing with the failure of the Irish potato crop 1846-1848 resulting in the deaths of one million irish people (while other foodstuffs were exported to mainland UK) is ultimately the primary catalyst for what then transpired in the following decades. The breakup of the UK in 1922 can attribute that scandalous mismanagement as the primary driver of its demise.

[@briangasser973]

The breakup was due to nationalism and the desire by the RoI for independence, similar to the other dominions of the UK.

[@jonnyh9388]

Primary catalyst? No, but certainly an issue that poured a jerry can of fuel onto the fire.

[@NoName-mi7bd]

@@briangasser973 it was the reason there was a desire for independence in the first place

[@peterperigoe9231]

The indifference was down to the Class structure, and, I cannot excuse Westminster' incompetence as you say, neither seemed to care, as a commentator states below, maybe not the Prime catalyst but it did pour fuel on the fire. There was no social welfare then and the Poor Law Union work houses were dire. More died per head of population in Scotland than Ireland but the elite there also failed the people. to me the catalysts for independence was not the 1916 rising, but when they shot the leaders.

[@balthasarEF]

What is the piano music?

[@robertomeara3469]

God bless the bravery of the Connaught Rangers who so bravely refused to fight,caused a mutiny,when they seen what Brits were doing in Ireland,After that the regiments got disbanded.

[@danoization]

the conaught rangers mutinied in india in retaliation to the black and tans ,did that have anything to do with it?

[@philipcamp1370]

Interesting

[@faithlesshound5621]

Private James Daly aged 20 of the Connaught Rangers was the last British soldier to be executed by firing squad. He was shot in 1920 after about 400 Irish soldiers mutinied in Jullundur. 88 were court martialed, and another 12 were sentenced to death, but got life imprisonment instead. Two others had been killed while trying to seize weapons.

[@khiggins7231]

It must have been very difficult for the lads in the Connaught Rangers to serve in India keeping the Indians in their place on Britains behalf and to receive the news of how the British forces were behaving back in Ireland. Many in the IRA had served in the BA during the Great War and subsequently used their experience in prosecuting the guerilla war in the IRA in gaining independence.

[@johnroche7541]

@@khiggins7231 There was also IRA men who had been decorated in WW1 and I give their names on another post.

[@johnroche7541]

The members of the Connaught Rangers who mutinied were given a state pension by the Irish government just like the IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence 1919-1921.

[@snirge]

My Grandad was in the South Irish Horse in WW1.

[@aronmcmanus6765]

My great great grandad died fighting for the dublin fusiliers during gallipoli

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

It would be a great gesture if the colours were returned to the Free State's regiments, IF they agreed to honour them as they damn well should.

[@JATP-wp6eh]

Irishmen have been more famous serving the US or in the British army. Than in the current Irish Defence Forces. My friend serving in the DF says they can’t even keep the doors on their helicopters from falling off.

[@MichaelKng-fk5jk]

Brave history, Brave Soldiers. Hugely respected and honoured by the British Forces. Unfortunately after segregation, what happened to these brave people, they seem to have disappeared?

[@bugler75]

A lot of them faced discrimination from the new Republic government . After the Irish war of independence there who two Irish factions who went to war with each. One more moderate and prepared to deal politically with Britain , Pro-Treaty party and the other , anti treaty party led by Eamonn de Valera, who were more extreme in their hatred of Britain and the fact that the six counties of the country of Northern Ireland remained in the UK. de Valera’s side won and things became quite discriminatory at best, hostile at worst, to those associated in any way with the old British rule. A lot of intimidation, murders etc took place. Consequently, a lot of the Irish soldiers either transferred to other Regiments ( there were still 4 other Irish Infantry and two Cavalry Regiments) or Corps or stayed in Britain where there was better job prospects. This is really an gross oversimplification of the entire mess. And it was a mess. As someone from (Northern ) Ireland who proudly served 26 years I must say that de Valera, particularly in his early political days created more divisions between all Irishmen and made even worse the political situation between Ireland and Britain. He was an extremist and he thought that international support would come flooding in. Which didn’t. He also sent his condolences to Germany on learning of the death of Hitler. I would be certain that if a more moderate politician, most folk suggest Michael Collins, that the outcome in Ireland and the consequent troubles would have been very different in a positive way. There are many books to read but you must remember they are all written from a certain point of view. I would recommend the film ´Michael Collins’ with Liam Neeson as quite a good summary of the 1921-23 period. It is a good film too. Im sure there will be other folk along who will disagree with me but there’s only so much I can say in a comments section. Faugh a Ballagh!, Quis Seperabit ? Ian

[@johnroche7541]

Hi Michael. A lot of Irish soldiers from these distinguished regiments would join the new Free State Army(National Army) that was being created under Michael Collins. It made military sense to create a new army from Iriish soldiers that had formal military training and obviously a lot of them were veterans of WW1. They would form the backbone of the Free State Army(National Army) during the Irish Civil War 1922-1923. There is a famous and beautiful painting from WW1 called "The Last Absolution of the Munsters". It depicts soldiers from the Royal Munster Fusiliers kneeling and being blessed by a priest on horseback. The priest in the painting is Fr. Frank Gleeson from Co.Wicklow who would become Chaplin to the Free State Army during the Irish Civil War.

[@bugler75]

@@johnroche7541 That’s a wonderful painting. Our RC Padre had a print of it on his wall.

[@johnroche7541]

@@bugler75 I would recommend the movie "Michael Collins" as a decent film but certainly not as an accurate biography of this Irish revolutionary. I would recommend "The Treaty" starring Brendan Gleeson as Michael Collins. It was available to see on You Tube. It is from the early 1990's I think. The following are movies with an Irish War of Independence theme. "Shake Hands With the Devil" from the 1950's starring James Cagney and a young Richard Harris. "Fools of Fortune" from the mid 1990's starring Michael Kitchen,Julie Christie and a young Ian Glen from Game of Thrones fame. " The Wind that Shakes The Barley" starring Cillian Murphy and is more military in terms of action. "A Nightingale Falls" is a bit slow in terms of plot and no action but an interesting concept in terms of a human story. "The Last September" based on the Elizabeth Bowen novel starring Michael Gambon and Dame Maggie Smith. I know that in the Republic of Ireland Irish TV(RTE) made a TV series called "Resistance" set against the backdrop of this turbulent period.. John Huston of western fame made a movie in the 1930's called 'The Informer" based on the Frank O"Connor short story. There is another movie from thec1930's or 1940's starring David Niven as a British officer. It also stars Merle Oberon who was famous for playing Cathy to Lawerecw Olivier's Heathcliff in an early version of Wuthering Heights.

[@bugler75]

@@johnroche7541 Didn’t know any of them except the Wind that rocks the barley. I’ll check them out. I do remember the discussion about the Collins film at the time of issue. Thanks for the recommendations 👍🏼

[@philipnorris6542]

The minstrel boy to the war has gone, in the ranks of death you'll find him.

[@jameslynch7826]

They should have been kept on the Roll like the Gurkhas

[@generalbanastretarleton6578]

Such a Loss a disbandment is an awful thing. And it’s still happening today and it’s going to get worse. Bring back the old regiment. Give back some identity once again

[@beaglaoich4418]

It was a very necessary disbandment how do you bring back 100yo regiments that will have no cultural identity? At that point you’re just bringing back redundant names of regiments for the sake of it

[@joshuabruce9599]

The regiments were disbanded with the formation of the Irish Free State. There would be no point in bringing them back. There'd be no-one to serve in the regiment and it would probably be seen as an insult to the Republic of Ireland. Reforming regiments that would arguably be representative of everything the independence movement fought against.

[@stevewixom9311]

@@beaglaoich4418 what would that hurt?

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@stevewixom9311 why would you need to bring them back? What purpose would they serve? Will they retain their past identity? And if so how are you going to not only justify that but also recruit to it?

[@johnroche7541]

@@joshuabruce9599 See my reply to "John John" below.

[@Stockportloyal]

Absolutely tragic.

[@beaglaoich4418]

In what sense? The loss of life?

[@MRMK24]

Gallant Men are the Irish.

[@johnroche7541]

"Thank goodness my Irish soldiers fought for me and not against me this day" The Duke of Wellington after Waterloo.

[@johnroche7541]

The Duke gave the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers(Irish regiment recruited from Norhern Ireland that contained both Catholics & Protestants) great praise by stating after Waterloo "They saved my centre". This regiment took heavy casualties when they formed a "square" and this regiment has a memorial at Waterloo. Napoleon is stated to have said that the best army would be Irish soldiers with French officers!

[@peterkavanagh64]

Bring Irish and English women into this conversation. It has to many oncerened men. Vision is two eyes

[@mcars100]

Only one of the regiments still left in the British the 1 Royal Irish

[@edcarson3113]

There’s still the Irish Guards and the North Irish Horse and some other Corps.

[@johnroche7541]

What you must understand is that the current Royal Irish Regiment in the British Army does not trace its lineage to the Royal Irish Regiment featured in this documentary. The original Royal Irish Regiment(18th Foot) was the most senior of the front line Irish regiments. It has a proud military from Marlborough's campaigns to WW1. It was a southern Irish regiment that had counties Tipperary,Kilkenny,Wexford and Waterford as it's recruiting area. It had it's depot at Clonmel(Co. Tipperary). It was disbanded in 1922. The present Royal Irish Regiment in the British army was forned as a result of various amalgamations of regiments from Northern Ireland. Just to recap the present Royal Irish Regiment does not have any direct link to the original Royal Irish Regiment that was disbanded in 1922. All they have in common is that they shared the same regimental title.

[@mcars100]

@@johnroche7541 I don’t know I served in the 1st battalion royal Irish regiment and we have the award given when the original Isiah regiments disbanded we also have the highest amount of Irish serving from both the south and north.

[@johnroche7541]

@@mcars100 Thank you for your reply. As I stated previously the current Royal Irish Regiment serving in the British Army has no links whatsoever connecting it to the original Royal Irish Regiment(18th Foot). The Battle Honours,traditions and heritage of the original Royal Irish Regiment have absolutely no connection with the current Royal Irish Regiment. You are in error if you think the.current Royal Irish Regiment is a descendant of the original disbanded Royal Irish Regiment(18th Foot). The only thing they have in common is that they literally share the same regimental title and nothing else .

[@mcars100]

@@johnroche7541 Thanks for your reply you are correct. my confusion is our history is made up of royal Irish fusiliers and royal inniskilling fusiliers both were not mentioned on that video.Did you serve or you a historian?

[@roccocandela1575]

Shame that the British Army is an absolute shell of what it used to be

[@lewissmith3896]

Yes, very true.

[@djharto4917]

It all went down hill after the Irish started disappearing!!!

[@seanmccann8368]

Hopefully that will prevent them murdering civilians in other countries in future. Karma.

[@lifes-entertainment2484]

On par with there scottish celtic brothers, the Irish are a solid race of human beings. Up tye toon

[@movieviewing]

it was a disgrace part of Ireland breaking away from the united kingdom, it caused troubles in the future. we are better united together than apart. its mad republic of irish people come and work in the uk there are deep family connections UK supports both with financial support and military like protecting air space. with devolution like in wales, Scotland and northern Ireland.

[@fionnmoules7620]

why do you think Ireland broke away?

[@anthonycosgrave8539]

Wow. How was it a disgrace?. Ireland wanted independence and it was almost given home rule and ww1 broke out. It had to take matters into its own hands to get what it wanted and even at that it was not complete and still not is. Under the home rule bill Ireland would have been granted something similar to what Wales and Scotland have which is not much at all as it turns out. They have no real say in their affairs. Anything they do can be overidden by England's Parliment.

[@johnbarnes5237]

Weren't many of the colors damaged in the 1992 fire? I recall reading that somewhere.

[@jackoshea7668]

Wonderful ☠️☘️🇮🇪🗡🇬🇧

[@pincermovement72]

Irelands sons were an integral part of the tapestry of empire , their sacrifices as costly as any part of the union and no less important. The current crop of euro loving schemers that run the country now are sadly not fit to touch their ancestors boots losing real friendship for new friends that would drop them like a bad habit when times get hard . Remember who it was who bailed you out after the bankers crash , not the eu .

[@yermanoffthetelly]

"Real friends"😂 Open a history book mate, what period of Irish history would you like to be imposed on the people of Britain? Unless you are some kind of masochist the only sane answer is "none". Our friends in Europe and the US are sticking by us just fine, I don't see anyone batting for Britain these days. Also the EU loaned Ireland 41bn on favourable terms(along with 1bn from Sweden and Denmark) They were happy to help out. The UK on the other hand lent just 3bn with punitive terms and interest rates (all while trying to prevent a firesale of British property assets held by Irish banks) and have never stopped moaning about it. Cheers guys. If you need a hand with your 2.3Trn debt mountain I'm sure we would be happy to offer the same terms. Slán 👋

[@markpower5756]

Irish governments are democratically elected by Irish people and joining the Euro was approved in a referendum - are you suggesting that those voters are stupid?

[@jamescoughlan8193]

As for friends bailing us our of the financial crisis is also complete rubbish, let me educate you, British banks were protecting their investments in Ireland and because our economies are unfortunately so closely linked if Ireland failed so would the British economy so get off your high horse pretending you done us a favour, seven billion pounds was made available of which 3.8 billion was drawn down in 2013 , all of which was paid back in full by April 2017 including 387 million pounds in interest accrued. So try to educate yourself instead of embarrassing yourself online making stupid school boy comments.

[@fionnmoules7620]

friends dont wipe out a countries native language and culture and let a famine happen

[@seanmccann8368]

British as friends? Have the NHS cuts allowed the insane to take over the asylum internet connection?

[@geronimorex3608]

Glorification of treason.

[@petemcphee2]

Irish don't view this the same as English. Scots don't view this the same as English... Welsh don't... Time England learnt to stand on its own feet instead of the blood, sweat, tears and treasure of other Nations.

[@fiachramaccana280]

Wasted lives. Fighting for the wrong country. One of great uncles was killed at the Battle of the Ancre on the 13th November 1916. His politics turned Republican after the 1916 Easter Rising where he had to fight for the British. And so he died in the wrong uniform. Another great uncle was a disabled vet who fought until the 3rd battle of Ypres in 1917. Later in 1921 he was beaten to death in his wheelchair in his own back garden by members of a Royal Irish Constabulary murder gang. To send a message to his brother; my grandfather who was in the IRA. Let the memories of these regiments fade into obscurity. We are a free country now.

[@philipcamp1370]

Would you really want Europe dominated by the kaiser or uncle Adolf.....

[@fiachramaccana280]

@@philipcamp1370 what a stupid comment. As long as the British are nowhere near Europe we are fine. Not interested in being lectured on century old problems or persinalities. We are all collectively tired of English narcissism. We look to the future. You guys apparently decided not to have one

[@philipcamp1370]

You haven't addressed the point. We shouldn't have been in Ireland. But what we did in ww1 and ww2 was the right thing to do but your terrible bitterness won't allow you to admit that .

[@fiachramaccana280]

@@philipcamp1370 your hatred of Europe is your only point. The Kaiser was a member of the British royal family and was coddled by them for decades. So dont lecture the Irish about him please. I have no bitterness. To me the English are just a beaten enemy. You on the other hand have such hate for the greatest achievememt of humanity...the EU.

[@philipcamp1370]

@@fiachramaccana280 don't hate Europe. Just wary of German domination . Wouldn't like to see England dominate Europe either. Strongly believe every country should have a sovereign parliament or equivalent. Not some unaccountable body in Europe that are obsessed with trying to .make every country the same .

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

At least with the amalgamation of all the Scottish regiments into the SCOTS it will save a bit of time and paperwork when they are no longer part of the British army.....

[@tonyt7948]

They probably all leave and join the English army

[@SnakePliskin762]

Be knocked down to a single battalion and part time at that

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

As the video says there are still plenty of Irish quite willing to be cannon fodder for the Brits

[@johnbrereton5229]

Its both disrespectful and stupid to make comments about a subject you obviously know nothing about.

[@republicaninfidel2221]

Yes , true , cannon fodder and there is plenty of traitors in Ireland, every country has them

[@ulsterinfidel9897]

You mean men who is willing to lay their life for the free world seeing the Irish Defence Force isn't willing to. Many of them joins for a real army career, family tradition, to get way from their old life for a fresh start or the fact jobs in the Republic is harder to come by. As a Northern Irish man I have full respect for the southern Irish who has the bollocks to join and to be part of a military with more Irish tradition than their own local defence force. They are true brave warriors and I will be happily shake their hand and buy them a nice pint

[@vvt7825]

Why would anyone want to be a mercenary for the power that invaded your homeland to enslave, dispossess and murder you.

[@benjaminwilliams951]

@@ulsterinfidel9897 You mean people like Tom Barry, and other veterans of the First World War who went into the British Army to learn how to fight it, then went on to join the IRA? Also, the uniform of the Irish Defense Force carries the emblem of the Irish Volunteers, who supported by most of the population as militant nationalism took hold after 1916. So, where you get the British Army is more Irish is just bemusing.

[@JohnJohn-zg9hh]

All Irish people are ashamed that they ever been part of british army.

[@johnroche7541]

You should do a little research my friend. It is no coincidence that the best IRA units in the Irish War of Independence had Irish veterans of WWI in it's ranks. Look at the IRA's biggest victories in that conflict : Kilmichael,Clonfin,Dromkeen,Crossbarry,'Headford and Carrowkennedy. What do they all have in common? IRA veterans of WW1 were involved in these actions. There was also a few IRA men who had been decorated for gallantry in WW1 including a VC recipient Martin Doyle(he also was awarded the MM) who served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers in WW1. He served as an IRA intelligence officer in Co.Clare in the 1919-1921 conflict. Director of Training for the IRA and member of the GHQ staff in Dublin was Emmet Dalton who was awarded the MC during the latter stages of the Battle of the Somme at Guinchy in Septenber 1916. Michael Bishop was awarded the MM twice while serving with the Irish Guards in WW1. He served with the Waterford IRA during the Irish War of Independence. Joseph Clancy was awarded the DFC in WW1 and served later with the Clare IRA. John Prout was awarded the Croix De Guerre while serving with the famous New York 69th Regiment( the famous fighting 69th) which had an Irish heritage from the American Civil War. He would serve with the Tipperary IRA. Dozens of other IRA veterans of WW1 would distinguish themselves in the Irish war of Independence including the famous Tom Barry the most successful IRA commander in the field against the British. He served with the Royal Field Artillery in WW1. Irish veterans of WW1 from these disbanded Irish regiments would form the backbone of the National Army under Michael Collins. There is a famous painting from WW1 called "The Last Absolution of the Munsters". It depicts soldiers from the Royal Munster Fusiliers kneeling while they are blessed by a priest on horseback. Anyway the priest in the painting is Fr. Frank Gleeson from Co.Wicklow who would become Chaplin to the Free State Forces(National Army) during the Irish Civil War 1922-1923.

[@paddy864]

What a stupid, baseless and grammatically incorrect remark. You are in no position to opine on what “all” Irish people think about anything, even less so as regards events a century ago.

[@rorymac7714]

Why? Had Home Rule been granted Ireland may never have separated from the UK and those proud regiments could still exist.

[@johnroche7541]

@@rorymac7714 The counter factual game of history is always tempting to conjecture on. In Ireland there was a resurgence in Irish native culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There was also those who subscribed to a more militant expression of nationalism. When people say if Britain had introduced Home Rule just before the outbreak of WW1 there might have been no violence(1916 Easter Rising,Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War) and that all of Ireland would have still been part of the UK is too simplistic. When people put that proposal forward they are looking at the "Irish Question" from one point of view. What about the Loyalists and Unionists? They had sworn to reject Home Rule in most violent terms. If Home Rule was introduced in 1912 there would have been a major civil war on sectarian lines that would have been a major fratricidal conflict that would have dwarfed the Irish Civil War of 1922-1923. The militant Northern Unionists and Loyalists were even prepared to fight the British Army if Home Rule was implemented.

[@rorymac7714]

@@johnroche7541Thank you for your kind courteous and informative reply. I was referring to the proposition of Home Rule in the late 19th Century, which i believe was scuppered by the Imperialist Lord Randolph Churchill. Whose Imperialist views were inherited by his son Winston Churchill

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

Traitors.

[@vvt7825]

Honor and Respect to the beloved of Ireland who served her in the IRA. 26+6=1

[@quercus1485]

Even when they murdered pensioners or kneecapped children? I'll keep my respect for those who faced their foes like men.

[@vvt7825]

@@quercus1485 But you wouldn't believe what he said they did, or else it's justified because the Crown authorized it, and the subhuman Celts should have just accepted it.

[@mesparky9]

Will keep my respect for real men, not cowards.

[@swaythegod5812]

@@vvt7825 ​ a lot of Brit’s are made up of Celts mixed with Germanic ancestry If Celts are inferior then they are admitting themselves inferior Since they all have some link to Celtic ancestry Meaning that argument makes no sense

[@swaythegod5812]

@@quercus1485 ​ you know what they’ll say that justifies that and far worse they’ll literally say one word Cromwell