ARCOIreland members will wish to note the following important upcoming events, full details of which will be posted on this website closer to their individual dates.
Saturday, 10 September – Veterans’ Day, McKee Barracks. The 2016 Defence Forces Veterans’ Day will take place on Saturday, 10 September in McKee Barracks, Dublin. Veterans’ Day reaches out and honours retired members and their families.
ARCOIreland, along with the other veterans’ organisations, has been invited to provide a Representative Body to participate in the ceremony. This will consist of a short multi denominational religious service along with the laying of wreaths to honour fallen comrades. The event will provide an opportunity to meet old friends and comrades. A wide range of displays, including current Defence Forces’ equipment and systems, will be held in conjunction with the event. Light refreshments will be served and guests are invited to arrive by 1330hrs.
Friday, 7 October – Wreath Laying Ceremony, Garden of Remembrance. ARCOIreland will conduct a formal and solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony in the Garden of Remembrance on Friday, 7 October, commencing at 1200hrs. The purpose of the ceremony is to remember, honour and commemorate the participants in the 1916 Easter Rising. The ceremony also recalls the involvement of our membership, highlighting that of the members of the 39 and 40 Cadet Classes, in the commemorations marking the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966.
The ceremony will incorporate appropriate prayers, reflections and music. After the solemn wreath laying, a minute of silent reflection will be observed. This will be followed by a Piper’s Lament, the rendering of the Last Post, the raising of the National Flag to full mast, the rendering of Reveille and the playing of the National Anthem.
ARCOIreland will formally invite representatives of the Government, Oireachtas, Defence Forces, etc. to the ceremony. Members, along with their families, are encouraged to attend and will be invited by means of our newsletter, text service and this website. The expected duration of the ceremony is 30 minutes. A reception for guests, participants and attendees will take place immediately after the ceremony in the Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street. Guests are invited to be in place at the Garden of Remembrance by 1140hrs.
Friday, 14 October – Annual General Meeting, McKee Barracks. The 22 Annual General Meeting of ARCOIreland will be held in McKee Barracks, Dublin, on Friday, 14 October. Members will be asked in a later posting to notify our Honorary Secretary of their intention to attend. This is in order to facilitate entry to McKee Barracks and to provide the Officers Mess with our catering requirements. Coffee will be available in the Officers Mess from 1030hrs and lunch will be provided after the meeting. This is an important annual event in the ARCOIreland calendar, which affords members the opportunity to engage directly in the formation and shaping of ARCOIreland policy.
