Remarks by the Minister for Defence Mr Willie O'Dea, T.D., at the unveiling of a Granite Stone honouring the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation after whom the seven Barracks of the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare are named
6th April 2006
Secretary General, Chief of Staff, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am proud and honoured to unveil this commemorative granite stone, part of the 90th anniversary commemoration of 1916 and the signatories of the Proclamation: Clarke, MacDiarmada, MacDonagh, Pearse, Ceannt, Connolly and Plunkett, in whose honour the seven barracks in the Curragh are named.
The men and women of 1916 fought against overwhelming military odds in their struggle to establish our right to self-determination. Their leaders, particularly the seven we honour today, gave their lives in pursuit of the ideals enshrined in the Proclamation.
How proud they would be to see their successor generations in the Defence Forces - Óglaigh na hÉireann serving across the globe, protecting the peoples of other small nations and helping them to achieve the peace and freedom which we ourselves long sought.
This is the spirit behind the April 16th march past the G.P.O. The parade will reflect how the Defence Forces’ role has evolved, particularly their contribution to United Nations peace-building. Their courage, dedication and unselfish humanity is what the Leaders of 1916 would have envisaged for their successor generations.
I want to thank and congratulate all those associated with this project particular the skilled craftsmen whose beautiful work is on display here. I want to pay special thanks to the G.O.C. of the Defence Force Training Centre: Brig Gen Pat O’Sullivan for his huge input into this and so many other projects here. The past few years have seen tremendous improvements at the Curragh.
And so, it is with a deep sense of pride that I unveil this granite stone today.
ENDS |
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| Related Speeches |
3 July 2006 Speech by Willie O’Dea, T.D., Minister for Defence at the commissioning ceremony for the 81st Cadet Class.29 May 2006 Statement by the Minister for Defence on the International Day of the Peacekeeper 2006, 29/05/0619 May 2006 Statement by the Minister for Defence Adjournment Debate – Seanad Eireann, 17 MAY 2006.4 May 2006 Speech by Mr. Willie O’Dea, T.D., Minister for Defence at the review of 95th Infantry Battalion due to leave on peacekeeping duty with UNMIL, 04/05/066 April 2006 Address by Minister Willie O'Dea at a 1916 monument unveiling ceremony. 06/04/064 November 2005 Speech by Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for State for Defence at the review of 94th Infantry Battalion Due to leave on peacekeeping duty with UNMILON4 November 2005 Speech by Minister for Defence Mr. Willie O’Dea TD At the opening of the EUROMIL conference South Court Hotel Limerick5 October 2005 Speech by Minister for Defence Mr. Willie O'Dea T.D.,
at the PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference.12 September 2002 Commisioning ceremony for Naval Service cadets - 40th Class25 April 2002 Opening refurbished Headquarters Block, Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee4 April 2002 Launch of Report of External Advisory Committee on harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment in the Defence Forces21 March 2002 Minister's speech to a Select Committee on the Defence Estimates for 20023 March 2002 Opening of FCA Headquarters, Templemore19 December 2001 Opening NCO's Mess East, Curragh22 November 2001 Commissioning ceremony for Air Corps cadets - 20th Class18 November 2001 75th anniversary of the Army Equitation School15 November 2001 Review of 1st Contingent UNMEE bound for Eritrea8 November 2001 Minister's address to RACO's 9th Annual Delegate Conference
25 October 2001 Unveiling of memorial in Tibnin, South Lebanon24 October 2001 Statement to a Select Dáil Committee seeking approval for the despatch of a contingent to Eritrea18 September 2001 Minister's speech at the Commissioning Ceremony for L.E. Niamh18 September 2001 Tanaiste's speech at the Naming Ceremony for L.E. Niamh17 September 2001 Opening swimming pool/gymnasium in the Curragh8 September 2001 Minister's address to RDFRA's 8th Annual Delegate Conference7 September 2001 Review of 7th Contingent (UNTAET) bound for East Timor24 July 2001 Review of 5th Transport Company (KFOR) bound for Kosovo2 July 2001 Cadet commissioning ceremony - 76th Class12 June 2001 Minister's speech to a Select Committee on the Defence Estimates for 200122 May 2001 Review of 6th Contingent (UNTAET) bound for East Timor17 May 2001 Adjournment Debate re Clancy Barracks1 May 2001 Seanad Adjournment Debate re Gormanston9 April 2001 Taoiseach's speech in Templemore at the review of troops bound for Lebanon4 April 2001 24th Amendment to the Constitution (Treaty of Nice)22 March 2001 Opening new signals building in Cathal Brugha Barracks23 January 2001 Review of 5th Contingent (UNTAET) bound for East Timor25 November 2000 Launch of Report of the Ministerial Steering Group on Reserve Defence Force20 November 2000 Capabilities Commitment Conference, Brussels, 20th November 200015 November 2000 Minister's address to RACO's 8th Annual Delegate Conference10 November 2000 Opening of Hanger No. 5, Casement Aerodrome18 October 2000 Review of 88th Infantry Battalion (UNIFIL) bound for Lebanon11 October 2000 Minister's address to PDFORRA's 9th Annual Delegate Conference7 September 2000 Naval cadet commissioning ceremony - 38th Class |
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