Kildare community project is documenting members of the Defence Forces experiences

A LOCAL history project in Kilcullen is documenting the town’s strong and enduring links with the Defence Forces. Phase one of the Military History Project has just been completed, during which 15 retired local military personnel, both men and women, were interviewed and recorded sharing their personal memories of service in the Defence Forces.

Organisers, including local historian Mary Orford and former Defence Forces member Enda O'Neill, say it has been a pleasure to listen to and preserve the stories of those who have served. Funding for the project was received from Kildare County Council and other sources. Special thanks are extended to cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, who allocated funds from the Local Property Tax towards the initiative. Thanks are also expressed to Mary Orford, Julie O’Donoghue, and Andrew O’Neill for their ongoing support as the project enters phase two, which will include a formal launch to be announced in the coming weeks.

The audio interviews in phase one feature the following retired members of the Defence Forces: Col D Travers, Comdt F Smith, Capt B Hallidan, Sgt Major W (Billy) Redmond, Company Sgt J Mallon, CQMS G Fogarty, Sgt M Burke, Sgt E O’Neill, Cpl A O’Neill (Air Corps), Cpl B Clarke, Cpl N Aulsberry, Cpl S Lee, Gnr L Dunne, A/S J Langdon (Naval Service), and Sister M McDonnell (Army Nursing Service).

These are the first 15 participants in the project, titled 'Dilis Go Bráth, Gasra Haon'. 'Dilis Go Bráth' is the motto of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and means 'Second to None', while 'Gasra Haon' translates as 'Group One'.

Mr O'Neill said: "The project is ongoing and remains open to any retired military personnel from Kilcullen or the surrounding area who wish to share their stories."

It's not the first time the local connections with the Irish Defence Forces have been celebrated in Kilcullen. In 2018, a packed and fascinating evening in Kilcullen Community Library heard the reminiscences of several local veterans of the Congo Campaign of the early 1960s, in a Memory Night organised by Mary Orford. And in 2014, several events were held to mark the centenary of WW1, commemorating the participation of more than 33 men from the locality known to have died in the conflict.