Chairman's Report to Annual General Meeting 2023

This year has seen a welcome return to normality, with events and ceremonies returning to pre-Covid levels. We, as a branch, had representatives attend the ceremony at Sligo Peace Park, the military show at Naas Racecourse, the rededication of the War Memorial in Dungannon, and attendance at Victoria Cross recipients' graves in the Midlands and Co. Donegal.

The Irish National Remembrance Service at the Irish National War Memorial in Islandbridge in July was one of the highlights as it was a highly successful event with a larger-than-ever contingent of our friends travelling from Northern Ireland. Branch members attended the National Day of Commemoration, followed by the event in Dungarvan. 

Our Standard Bearer (myself) and one of our deputy Standard Bearers, Michael McFarland Campbell, attended the Regional Standard Bearers' Competition held in Cookstown RBL Club, Co Tyrone. We were both very impressed with the competitors' standards; with that in mind, I attended some Standard Bearer training in Rathfriland, Co. Down. 

As usual, November has been extremely busy with Remembrance Services in All Saints' Mullingar, St Patrick's National Cathedral in Dublin, Ballyglass Cemetery, Grangegorman, Molesworth Street, and Sligo Grammar School. Last Sunday, the branch attended a service of remembrance in Port Laoise. In December, we will attend a ceremony in Athlone at the unveiling of a memorial to Drummer Tomas Flynn VC. I am sure you will agree that increasing our attendance at events across the midland counties and Kildare is important. 

Membership declined during the pandemic, but now it is back at 45 and increasing slowly. In 2024, we plan to expand and hold regular quarterly meetings. We recently launched the branch website courtesy of the hard work of our outgoing secretary, Michael McFarland Campbell.

Donal Flynn
Branch Chairman

Photos are of the rededication of the War Memorial in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.