Closing of Irish Army Apprentice School

The Army Apprentice School

08 October 1956

21 September 1998

CONTENTS

FOREWORD 1

COAT OF ARMS 2

BACKGROUND AND INITIAL YEARS 3

THE FCA AND NAAS\DEVOY BARRACKS 10

McDONALD HALL 13

GRIFFIN HALL 14

AONGHUS MURPHY TROPHY 15

IRISH SHELL TROPHY 15

ROLL OF HONOUR 16

MODEL ARMOURED VEHICLES 18

AAS SAFETY BOOKLET 20

AAS - THE FINAL YEARS 21

A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON HIS MASTERS 24

40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 25

40th PASSING OUT-PARADE 27

PORTRAIT OF JOHN DEVOY 30

A DAY TO REMEMBER 31

CLOSING CEREMONY SPEECH 35

ROLL CALL OF PTES WHO SERVED IN AAS 39

FINAL ROUTINE ORDER 40

FINAL ORDERLY OFFICER’S REPORT - DEVOY BARRACKS 43

PLATOON PHOTOGRAPHS 45

Army Apprentice School 1956 - 1998

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FOrEwOrd

The Army Apprentice School opened its doors for business on 08 October 1956. Since that time it has been synonymous with quality education and high achievement in academic results. The School has been recognised as producing technicians of the highest calibre by

industry, the Department of Education and the Defence Forces, and was one of the success stories of the latter. This was due to the foundation laid by the first staff back in the 1950s, its founding fathers, and to the commitment, dedication and professionalism of all who served in the Unit.

On 21 September 1998 the Army Apprentice School vacated Devoy Barracks, Naas its home since foundation in 1956. On 1 November 1998 the school ceased to exist as a unit following the issuing of Administrative Instruction CS 4 by the Chief of Staff reorganising the Defence Forces.

This booklet is published to honour the contribution of all who served in the Unit throughout its 42 years, and to mark the input it made to the development of the modern Army. In addition, these pages commemorate the closure of Devoy Barracks as a military installation after 185 years. It does not revisit the ground covered in the publication that celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Unit in 1996.

I would like to thank and place on record the appreciation of the Defence Forces to each and every person who contributed to the success of the Army Apprentice School over the 42 years of its life. Yours has been an achievement of which you can be justifiably proud.

I would further like to thank all who aided in the production of this booklet.

Finally it is with pride and a degree of sadness that I close the file on the School whose coat of arms say it all ‘Ní Obair in Aisce Í’.

D.M. Donagh Lt Col Officer Commanding Army Apprentice School 31 October 1998


ThE COaT OF armS

by Lt Col. Con Costello (Retd).

After a life of 42 years the Army Apprentice School (SPA) has closed. As one of the few survivors of the original staff there I have been asked by the last Commanding Officer, Lt Col Des Donagh, to write a note on the Coat of Arms of the School. It depicts symbols of

the three main trades taught in Fitting, Woodwork and Electrical. The crest is the Torch of Learning and the motto is: Ní Obair in Aisce Í’ (It is not work in vain).

The Arms were designed by the late Lt Col. Michael Begley, in consultation with the Chief Herald, and the Shield and art work were done by Apprentice Eamonn Moore of No 2 Platoon. (Eamonn is now a lecturer in Carlow IT.)

The article below from the Irish Times on 31 October 1967 best describes the origin and detail of the crest.

Lt Col Costello (Retd) was Platoon Commander with the first Apprentice Platoon 1956 - 1959


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army SChOOl alSO SErvES iNduSTry

Apprentice trainingBy Tom mcCaughren, Our defence Correspondent

WHEN CAPTAIN MICHAEL BEGLEY decided on “Ni obair n-aisce i” (“It is not work in vain”) as the motto of the Army Apprentice School. Naas, he was thinking that vocational training was not a waste of time.

He admits that he hit upon the phrase without a great deal of thought, but only criticism that it is an understatement. For whether the young men who pass through the school stay in the Army to service its buildings, vehicles and weapons or take a job in civilian life, it is certain that they have not wasted their time. On the contrary they have acquired skills that assure them of a good job. The crest above the motto is not surprising, a product of the young minds of an early class and represents in the thunderbolt, the electrical trade: in the square, carpentry: and in the callipers, fitting.

CrEST dESigN“We had a competition for the design of the crest” says Captain Begley, who is assistant chief instructor of the Apprentice Company. “No particular design won it, but the crest is a composite of various ideas” The crest was evolved originally as a badge for a school blazer which the apprentices wear on social occasions on their evenings off., but gradually it has become as the symbol of the high standard of workmanship of “the backstage boys” These, as an officer so crisply put it, are the boys who keep the Army going” and if they are not right nothing is right”



BaCKgrOuNd aNd iNiTial yEar

Col JG McDonald B.E. (RIP)

This article written by Col. J.G. McDonald (R.I.P.), the first Commanding Officer of the Army Apprentice School, was first published in the souvenir brochure issued for the 25th anniversary passing out parade on 2 July 1981.

From 1922, when the Defence Forces were established, to the outbreak of WWII in 1939, the situation in respect of tradesmen was reasonably satisfactory. Many qualified tradesmen of all types had pre-Truce service and continued to serve in units which required them.

The requirements in those days were more simple than they are today, and in most cases were very basic. In some instances more sophisticated trades had to be catered for, or more specialised training was required. Such training was provided by the corps concerned. As examples, the Air Corps trained many types of aircraft trades, the S&T and Cavalry trained MT fitters and the Ordnance Corps armourers. In the main such training produced many very fine tradesmen, but it was wasteful and there was no trade union recognition for those who qualified. In those days this was not so important as civilian jobs were not so easy to find, and in many cases army conditions compared favourably with those in civilian life.

When war broke out in 1939, the Emergency was declared, and new establishments were authorised. These provided for more units and vastly greater strengths. However, the provision of tradesmen presented no great problems. As time went on firms began to shed their work forces or to close down, leaving many tradesmen of all types available for service in the Defence Forces. Training of specialist tradesmen became easier as the material now available was generally of a high order, but many tradesmen from the basic trades were suitable for immediate employment in units which had occasion to use them. This situation continued until the World War ended in 1945. Then demobilisation occurred in a serious loss of tradesmen throughout the Forces.

In due course new Peace Establishments were authorised and came into force. It was immediately clear that deficiencies in tradesmen in various corps were very high. There had been a ban on all pay rises in the country throughout the period of the Emergency. This was now lifted and civilian pay rises made enlistment in the Defence Forces less attractive for tradesmen in civilian life, in spite of the fact that Army tradesmen had also received pay rises. In order to fill the vacancies which existed, some military appointments in various Corps were suppressed to allow the employment of civilians. This helped a little but such appointments had to be confined to such places as Base Units and possibly schools. It was obviously not possible to have civilian tradesmen in field units. Some Corps Schools continued to train tradesmen using personnel who had enlisted for general service. For some years the authorities were very concerned at the lack of army tradesmen and the apparent impossibility of obtaining suitable personnel from civilian life. It was only to be expected, therefore, that thoughts should turn to the possibility of establishing an Apprentice Scheme for the Defence Forces. The Air Corps had, in 1936, established an apprentice school for training its requirements in Air Corps trades. The establishment of an apprentice scheme for the remainder of the Defence Forces, however, presented problems, too many to mention here and too difficult to solve in a fragmented way. So in 1947 the then Chief of Staff, Gen Dan McKenna convened a Board of Officers, presided over by the Assittant Chief of Staff, Col (later Lt Gen.) Archer to

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examine the problem and make recommendations. The members of the Board consisted of the Directors of the Corps which required tradesmen. In due course the Board submitted its Report and Recommendations. Briefly the recommendations were, inter alia, as set out below:

a. That a residential Apprentice School should be established.

b. It should cater for the basic trades of Fitting, Carpentry and Electrical, and as the number of Armourers in the Establishments at that time was relatively high this trade was also recommended for inclusion. Catering for the basic trades only was recommended as it was essential that the school would have a steady demand for those it produced.

c. It was calculated that the number of apprentices to be turned out each year was 55. The age at entry would be over 15 and under 17 on 1st September of the year of entry. The qualifications for entry were to be as generally laid down for apprentices. The period of apprenticeship was five years, the first three of which were to be spent in the school. Apprentices would spend their final year working under supervision at their trades in the units to which they were posted.

d. Instruction in trade subjects was to be undertaken by civilian vocational teachers so that the highest possible standards would be reached and maintained.

e. The school should be located in the Military Bks, Naas (renamed Devoy Bks soon after the school was opened) which was not occupied at that time. The Board showed how the existing buildings could be made to accommodate the Staff and Students and also set out what additional buildings would have to be provided before the full compliment of 165 reported.

f. An establishment was furnished to cater for all aspects of military life in a Barracks where no other units were located.

g. The religious aspect was considered to be most important, especially in view of the age groups involved, so provision for a chaplain and church were included.

h. Trade union recognition was considered to be of the utmost importance. In fact if this was not forthcoming the scheme would not go ahead. Members of the Board had long discussions with trade union officials and eventually recognition was promised. An intake of 55 per annum was agreed in the trades specified, and if any apprentice ended his apprenticeship in the Defence Forces before completing his 5 years the relevant Trade union was to be notified so that the apprentice could complete his apprenticeship elsewhere if he so desired.

The recommendations of the Board were approved and immediately the battle was on for financial sanction. This was a long drawn out affair, but by 1956 approval was granted. Immediately afterwards the first commanding officer was appointed. This was followed by the filling of vacancies for second in command/chief instructor, adjutant, quartermaster and a platoon commander for the first intake of apprentices. The remaining Officer vacancies were to be filled as the strength of apprentices built up to three platoons totalling 165.


The filling of vacancies for NCOs and privates was tackled and with the very much appreciated goodwill and co-operation of command staffs and unit commanders the task was completed in a reasonable time. The vacancy for Sgt Major had to be dealt with by a Board of Officers. At that time the vacancy was open to qualified senior NCOs throughout the Defence Forces. The Board selected as the first occupier of the post Sgt Major Bill Jackson, a well-known sporting personality, who was a credit and fine example to all the apprentices during his years in Naas before returning to the Western Command.

The provision of civilian vocational teachers presented a more difficult problem. Four were required in the first year building up to 11 in the third year and as the academic year commenced in September each year it can readily be realised that there was not much time to beat the deadline. If the teachers were directly employed by the Dept of Defence they could only have been offered temporary non-pensionable posts in the school, resulting in complete frustrations on the part of the teachers. Discussions were held with the Chief Inspector and his staff in the Technical Branch of the Dept of Education. These discussions resulted in a satisfactory solution. The teachers required would be recruited, employed and paid by the local VEC and would be seconded to the Apprentice School. The Dept of Defence would reimburse the VEC monthly. In this way conditions for teachers would be similar in all respects to those for teachers elsewhere. The next move was to contact the Co. Kildare VEC and get their agreement. This was readily reached and four teachers were appointed, 2 fitting, and one each in electrical and woodwork.

Equipping of the Barracks with the normal items such as barrack services, cooking equipment etc. was achieved mainly by begging from existing units all over the Army. In addition, items for technical training, military, PT, and educational training had to be manufactured in Ordnance Base Workshops or obtained from other units.

One of the greatest headaches was caused by the need to provide materials, tools and equipment for technical training. The quantities of each item were not great but the numbers of items covered a vast range. Very little provision was made in the 1956/57 estimates, so most of the tools had to be obtained from other Corps. As each apprentice was to be allotted a kit suitable for his trade the type of tool kit to be issued had to be decided. These kits were made as simple as possible and they were backed up by a set of tools and equipment for each class to be held by the teacher and issued to apprentices as the need arose. A technical stores was set up to hold materials, replacement tools and other equipment for use when required. Purchase of this equipment, such as lathes, grinders, woodworking machines etc. was initiated and pursued within the money available in the estimates. When one realises how few technical personnel were appointed to the school it will be easy to see how difficult the task was to set up this important establishment.

Another problem was the provision of a syllabus for each course over the three years the student would spend in the school. This in effect meant that 12 syllabi had to be made up. Since each apprentice has to qualify as a two-star line and two-star technician and have a 2nd class certificate of Education it took a considerable amount of thought and effort to fit in everything. As a soldier the apprentice was employed for the full year but as a tradesman the apprentice was under the control of the civilian teachers from September. to June. Religious instruction had to be included together with subjects for the 2nd class certificate. Military training was to be based on the recruit syllabus and of course sport, PT etc. had to be included. Eventually, however, the syllabi were produced and in practice worked out very well. A serious problem then arose in connection with the civilian teachers. According to the Regulations of the Dept of Education, a teacher who taught

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all his time at one centre was obliged to teach a minimum number of hours in the academic year. It was clear, when the syllabi were put together, that the many necessary facets of training of the apprentice would not permit this target to be reached. This was a matter of concern to the Officials of the Dept of Education Technicial Branch but had to be accepted eventually.

Arrangements for the selection of apprentices had to be made at the same time so as to have the first class in operation as early as possible after the 1st September 1956. A complete prospectus had to be prepared giving full details as early as possible so that it could be sent to every applicant for places after they were advertised in the Press.

When all the foregoing matters had been initiated and were seen to be fulfilled or making satisfactory progress it was decided that the Apprentice School would open on the 8th October 1956. Thus on that date the national flag was raised and the Staff of Officers, NCOs and Men so far appointed came together, mostly for the first time. It was a great occasion, partly because the experience was new to everyone, but mainly because there were still no apprentices selected. The absence of apprentices, however, gave the staff a breathing space so that many tasks could be completed. Apart from the normal requirements for a Military Unit it was necessary to make up tool kits, provide classrooms and set up workshops on a temporary basis for the first year as the building now known as the School Block was not then built.

The establishment of a unit on its own in a barracks necessitated the construction of a set of Standing Orders to cover every aspect of life in the School. This, when taken with all the other tasks, was a real headache but was tackled and completed in due course.

Soon after opening all arrangements had been completed for a Board of Officers to visit various centres throughout the state and to have applicants medically examined and interviewed. This first Board consisted of the CO, 2i/c and a Medical Officer, with a Secretary provided by Army HQ. Later on, a representative from the Technical Branch of the Dept of Defence was added. The Board in due course submitted its report which included a list of suitable candidates in order of merit. Eventually 55 boys reported to the school although the last few stragglers were somewhat slow in arriving.

Immediately they arrived the boys were medically examined and enlisted into the Defence Forces, clothing was issued and they were assigned to billets. Then a final interview was held with each to decide what trade they were to take up. As far as possible they were assigned to the trade which was their first preference, but this was not always possible. The assignment to trades was followed by the issue of a tool kit to each apprentice. When this was completed classes began and soon full programmes of training were followed and the first year of apprenticeship was launched.

Sport was considered a very important part of the life of an apprentice. The main sports were football, hurling and basketball. The School entered the Minor competitions in Co Kildare but when the full complement of the school was reached teams were made up within the school itself and many competitions were put in motion. Athletics was also catered for, which culminated in a school sports every June. Competitions with the Air Corps apprentices in Football, Hurling and Athletics and in Basketball with the School of Music became an annual affair. The facilities available for these activities in Devoy Army Barracks were never adequate or indeed suitable and efforts to expand it were not sanctioned.

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With the first year moving on, the pattern for the future was set: training in technical, military, education and religious matters from Monday. to Friday. with recreational training on Wednesday afternoons. Saturdays were devoted to full inspections of apprentices on parade, billets, kits, buildings, tool kits, classrooms etc. It had been hoped that a church and chaplain would have been provided, but this was not to be. The result was that all religious practices had to be conducted in the Parish Church at the other end of the town involving apprentices marching through Naas on Sundays, Holy days, and numerous other occasions.

In the first year supervised study was introduced in the evenings and continued for all apprentices throughout the academic year. It was decided to have internal examinations before the Christmas holidays each year and this became the normal practice over the years.

As the first year moved to its end various matters had to be followed up to cater for the second year. Advertisements for apprentices for the second Platoon were placed in the Press, arrangements for interviews were made in good time, a Captain Company Commander and a Lieutenant for No 2 Platoon had to be appointed. With the help of Co Kildare VEC arrangements for the appointment of four additional teachers were made. Tool Kits had to be made up and extra equipment procured. However, all was accomplished and the teachers and the apprentices were ready for the beginning of the academic year. This was something we were unable to arrange a few years later due in part to a change in the qualifications required at entry and the interview process being made more cumbersome.

The second year passed uneventfully, the academic year ending with the Dept of Education. exams. Again, arrangements had to be made for the selection and intake of the third Platoon of apprentices and the provision of the last group of teachers. This time three were required - MT, Woodwork & Electrical. The final year armourers were catered for by the attachment of two Sergeant Instructors from the Ordnance Corps. Extra toolkits had to be constructed and more workshop equipment had to be purchased.

When the academic year ended at the end of June both classes of apprentices were given military and educational training for July and August as well as leave during that period. In addition the members of the first Platoon moving into their third and final year were issued with weapons and weapon training was included for the rest of their time in the school.

The third year 1958/59 commenced on time with all apprentices and teachers on hand and the time passed normally. During this year, final year apprentices had to carry out range practices, route marches, guards, etc.The main problem towards the end of June 1959 was the planning of a Passing Out Ceremony for the 1st Platoon. It was decided to have a Parade and March Past to be taken by the Officer Commanding the Curragh Training Camp (as it then was). This was to be followed by the presentation of prizes to the various categories e.g. Best Armourer, MT Fitter, Woodworker, Electrician and Soldier, together with a prize for the Best All-Round Apprentice. It was obvious that very little assistance would be available from Public Funds so a little ‘shopping around’ solved the problem. Irish Shell kindly agreed to provide the prizes annually. Soon afterwards Kingswear Ltd. agreed to provide a trophy for the Best Sportsman and this offer was also accepted. Parents and friends were to be invited and given tea etc;. after the ceremonies were over. Various other arrangements had to be made and many hours had to be spent in planning, especially as there were little or no similar ceremonies in existence at that time to be used as a template.

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In the event, the first passing-out ceremony took place on 2nd July 1959. The day began with a church Parade to the Parish Church. The Parade was reviewed by Col. P Curran, then OC Curragh Training Camp, who also presented the certificates to the successful candidates, who were now wearing the badges of the Corps to which they had been assigned. The certificates indicated that each apprentice had qualified as a two-star tradesman and were signed by the OC Apprentice School. The Irish Shell prizes were presented on behalf of the firm by Lord Killanin and the Kingswear Cup for the best sportsman by Mr. Butler. Col. Curran, Lord Killanin and Mr. Butler as well as the Director of Training Col. J. O’Higgins were entertained to lunch in the Officers’ Mess before the ceremonies began. The ceremonies ended with a march-past and the Salute was taken by Col. Curran. Parents and or friends of the apprentices were than given tea and taken on a tour of the school. On the following night the apprentices held a dance in the barracks which was paid for by themselves. It was organised with the assistance of their Platoon Officer Lt. (later Lt Col) Con Costello. When they had cleared up after this function they went on a few days leave after which they returned to Naas and from there immediately went to the Corps to which they had been assigned. There they completed their final two years of apprenticeship working under supervision.

In his report to the Director of Training at the end of the three-year course the CO stressed that it was important that every effort should be made to ensure that all apprentices were properly employed in their trades under supervision and that records of work carried out should be maintained. In reply the Director of Training requested OC Apprentice School to take on the job. It was agreed that all apprentices would be visited at six-monthly intervals for assesment. Their work records would be inspected and a performance report submitted in respect of each apprentice. At the end of their final two years the sucessful apprentices were presented with Certificates of Qualification issued by the Director of Training.

And so the first cycle of life in the Apprentice School was completed successfully. Various systems and patterns were to become the norm for the future and there was little change during the first eight years of the life of the school. The only major change that comes to mind was the inclusion of the trade of Radio Mechanic which in the beginning was conducted by Army Instructors provided by the Signals Corps. The annual intake of 55 was not increased but of course the distribution had to be revised.

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Lt Col J.G. McDonald 1956-1964

Lt Col J. Kilcullen 1964-1975

Lt Col J.P. Connole 1975-1979

Lt Col S. Doolan 1979-1983

Lt Col J.N. Bergin 1983-1984

Lt Col F.L. Mullowney 1984-1989Lt Col P. Daly 1989 - 1990

Lt Col J.A. Vize 1993-1994

Lt Col C.A. Whelan 1994-1997

Lt Col D. Donagh 1997-1998

Commanding Officers

of the

Army Apprentice

School

Lt Col W.J. Hayes 1990-1993


dEvOy BarraCKS NaaS aNd ThE FCa

By Comdt John D Miley FCABty Comd 6th Bty 6th Fd Arty Regt

As far back as 1934 a meeting was held in the gymnasium in

Devoy Barracks to launch a Reserve Defence Force known locally as “The Sluagh”or as it was later popularly called “The Volunteers”. The principle speaker at the meeting was a Mr Frank Aiken TD the then Minister for Defence. The essential entry requirements for joining the Volunteers was a prolonged initial training course of twelve weeks. This stopped a large number from joining. Devoy Barracks was unoccupied at the time except for a resident caretaker and Donaldson's printing works. An Sluagh were dressed in green uniforms with silver buttons, black belt, black boots, knee leggings and side cap. At the outbreak of the war the members were called up for full time service with the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF)

June 1940 saw the formation of the Local Security Force (LSF) the inaugural meeting was held in the Court House. The force was unarmed wore civilian attire and were under the control of the Garda Síochána. The Photograph (right) taken possibly outside Conway Behan's shows troops stretching from the shop to Phil Kennedy's Pub. Also shown is Garda Sergeant Cronin. The parade is led by Group Leader Mr Bill Daly.

October 1940 saw the Local Defence Forces (LDF) formed from members of the L.S.F. and it came under the control of the Permanent Defence Forces The members were obliged to take the Oath of Allegiance. The dress was a brown denim blouse, slacks and side cap. Later they would phase in green blouse and pants with brown boots and leggings.

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6Bty in the Glen of Imaal 1960

LSF march through Naas 1940


1946 was a significant year. Membership of the LDF began to decline now that the war was over, and the force was disbanded with the formation of the Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúl (FCA). The rank structure was the same as the PDF although the highest commissioned rank achievable was Captain. The Naas Unit became known as the ‘North Kildare Battalion’ and had outlying training centres such as Ballymore Eustace, Caragh, Robertowns, Blessington, Lacken, Manor Kilbride, Dunlavin and Kilcock.

1959 saw a further change as it became a Heavy Artillery Unit. It was now known as the ‘Sixth Battery’ and was one part of the Sixth Regiment which was part of the Sixth Brigade (three sixes). Our Regimental Headquarters was McGee Barracks, Kildare although our training was still carried out in Devoy Barracks. This was a big change as we had to learn new skills such as gun drill (we now had to man eight guns each consisting of a crew of six), Acks (meaning assistant), to Gun Position Officer, to Command Post Officer(s), to Observation Post Officer(s), also Radio Operators and Battery Guide. Every one from the Battery Commander down to the newest member had a defined task and worked as a very close team. This is not to say that Infantry units had not done likewise but now it was easier for everyone to see the effort each one had given. Our weapon was the 18-Pounder a World War One Artillery piece in it final stage of usage. The green uniform was still the same waisted tunic (‘wasted’ on some people!!!) slacks, brown boots (hob nails) and leggings, black cap and great coat.

1979 was the next year of significant change when to unit changed from the Eastern Command to the Curragh Command. Also that year the frock type tunic (same as PDF) was introduced. However, most troops wore combat uniform, which was not on issue as of yet but was ‘acquired’ by everyone, the cap was now green. The 25 Pounder a WW2 weapon was now in use, replacing the 18-Pounder

Getting back to Devoy Barracks and the FCA. The unit occupied a wooden hut which was used as an office, section room, lecture hall, drill hall and gun park. Indeed it was still retained until the closure of the barracks. The unit had the use of all the barrack facilities e.g. drill hall, square, training field (ideal for a Battery deployment), lecture halls and miniature range. Also used was their dining facilities, and both Officer and NCOs Messes. The Army Apprentice School gave us full freedom (even to the use of their transport) right down through the years to which we are truly indebted.

1980 onwards saw the unit doing security duties in Devoy Barracks this carried on until the late eighties. Weapons fires were the 105mm gun and also the Brandt 120mm mortar, as well as the GPMG, the FN rifle, the 84mm recoiless Anti Tank Gun, the Steyr and the new hand Grenade. On the Artillery front more modern pieces of equiptment were comming on stream.

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6Bty Guard of Honour, opening of church of Irish Martyrs, Naas, March 1997


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The Plotter replaced the Artillery Board, also added was FACE (Field Artillery Computer Equipment), The cos (a small hand held computer). The Simrad laser rangefinder was now being used on the Observation Post (OP) and the Rakes range was replaced by the ‘Simulator’ (now replaced by the Phoenix).

1990 saw the move to Magee Barracks, Kildare, to carry out our training. This continued until the closure of that barracks in late 1998.

1994 saw the introduction of females into Artillery Units and this proved very successful indeed. The 6th Battery can boast that it had the first female Artillery Officer (Ma’am).

Names synonymous with Devoy Barracks and the FCA were Comdt. Jack Frost (Sean an tSeaca), Comdt Peter Brennan (to whom I am indebted for most of this article), Lt Jim Walsh, RSM Kinsella (all deceased, RIP), BQMS Paddy Sherry who looked after everyone of us as if we were family, Captain Tony Burke, just retired and RQMS Frank (‘the crunch’) Lawler still serving. Families like the Moores have a third generation serving, the father Seamie retired a Commandant. His son Diarmuid (‘Butch’) is a serving Officer and his grandson Conor has joined. The Gibson family Tony (senior) was a member of the LSF, while his son Billy (now Colonel in the PDF) was a Corporal in the FCA, Ger is Battery Captain (6th Battery) and John (JJ) is a Sergeant. All these people, and I have named just a few, have given their spare time over a long number of years to guide the youth of our country.

6 Bty, 6 FAR march out under the archway for the last time, On parade (L to R) Sgt P Pender, Bty Sgt C Byrne, Cpl L Brophy, Sgt D Browne, Comdt J

Miley, (the author), CQMS F Lawlor, Capt Gibson, On the right of the picture is Seamus Moore (refered to in the article)


mCdONald hall

On 13 June 1996 McDonald Hall was officially opened by the ‘man himself ’, Col J G McDonald (Retd) the first Officer Commanding The Army Apprentice School. McDonald Hall was dedicated to mark his contribution and that of the initial staff in the

setting up of the Army Apprentice School, forty years earlier.

McDonald Hall was built by apprentices from the School under the supervision of the teaching staff, particularly Mr R O’Sullivan, Mr L Quirke, Mr J Boylan and Mr P McCarthy. The room formerly housed the fitting machine shop which was vacated with the provision of a new workshop in 1995. All the labour, with the exception of the installation of a video projection system, was carried out by the apprentices. The opening of the magnificent tiered theatre was the culmination of six months work by the apprentices. The hall, with seating for 60, was a major contribution to the programme to improve the facilities in the School.

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The opening of McDonald Hall Lt Col Whelan, Lt Col Donagh, Col McDonald and Col S. O’Connor

Col McDonald cuts the ribbon

Class in McDonald Hall


griFFiN hall

On 4th June 1998 Mrs Sarah Griffin unveiled a plaque dedicating a hall formerly known as ‘The Hall of Fame’ to the memory of her son Pte. Stephen Griffin.

Pte Stephen Griffin from Rahoon, Galway passed-out from the Army Apprentice School as a carpenter in 1977. He was killed in action in At Tiri, South Lebanon on 18 April 1980, the first Irish fatality killed in action on UNIFIL service.

The unveiling ceremony was an emotional occasion for the Griffin family. It was their first time in Devoy Barracks since Stephen’s passing out parade in July 1977. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Stephen’s sisters Catherine and Mary, his brothers Tommy, Michael and Paudraig, classmates from his Apprentice Platoon, the 19th, and by many of his comrades from Irishbatt including the OC 46 Inf Bn Brig Gen J Kissane (Retd) and Brig Gen D Taylor, Coy Comdr, who had been OC ‘C’ Coy 46 Inf Bn.

With the closure of Devoy Barracks in September 1998 and the disestablishment of the Army Apprentice School on 01 November 1998 Pte Stephen Griffin was not forgotten. In 1999 his parent unit, No 3 FD Eng Coy in Collins Bks Cork, opened another Griffin Hall to honour him. The plaque, photograph and other items from the Naas Griffin Hall were transferred to Cork for installation in the new Griffin Hall. The memory of this brave soldier lives on. “Ar dheis Dé”

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Sgt B Griffin, Mr P Harkin, Mr J Boylan (teachers) Sgt M Hennessy ( Pl Sgt Retd) at the unveiling ceremony

Mrs Sarah Griffin unveils the plaque to her son, Pte Stephen Griffin

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aONghuS murPhy TrOPhy

The Aonghus Murphy Trophy was awarded each year to the Best Soldier of the graduating Platoon. It was awarded for

the first time in 1990.

The Trophy, which was made at the Army Apprentice School by the apprentices, under the supervision of their teachers, honours the memory of an officer from Devoy Barracks, Lieut Aonghus Murphy, who gave his life in the service of Peace while serving with the United Nations in Lebanon in 1986.

Each year the Aonghus Murphy Trophy was presented by his father Maj. Gen. Kevin Murphy (Retd) or by his brother Comdt. Conal Murphy.

iriSh ShEll TrOPhy

The award for Best Overall Apprentice each year is the Irish Shell Trophy. First presented in 1959 it is made of Irish

Oak and Walnut and carved by John Haugh.

It represents a fitter, carpenter and electrician at work.

The Irish Shell Trophy was first presented by Lord Killanin in July 1959. Irish Shell continued their most generous sponsorship of the Army Apprentice School passing-out parades throughout the life of the school.

Both the Irish Shell Trophy and The Aongus Murphy can be viewed in the Defence Forces Library, Pearse Bks.

16


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17

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18


mOdEl armOurEd vEhiClES

The Fitter Armourer Apprentices under the guidance of their teacher Mr. Derek Butler were responsible for the manufacture of nine model Armoured Vehicles as class projects.

The scale replicas are of Armoured Vehicles which saw service with the Defence Forces. Their manufacture was an excellent test of all the skills which Fitter Armourer's were taught in the Army Apprentice School.

The Rolls Royce Armoured Car ‘Sliabh na Mban’ famous for its association with Michael Collins was the first model manufactured. It was made by the second year fitter apprentices in 1962 for entry in a competition sponsored by Wynn Technology of Kilbritten, Co. Cork. The second year apprentice fitters made models of the Landsverk armoured car in 1963, The Panhard Armoured Car in 1964, and continued throughout the 70’s to make eight models. The last model, the Scorpion Light Tank, was made in 1996 by the Fitters of 39th & 40th Apprentice Platoons.

The first two models were put on display at the RDS Scientific and Technical Exhibition 22-25 October 1963 (Photo over)

Rolls Royce Armoured car, “ Sliabh na Mban”

19


The principle skills involved in their manufacture were metalwork, turning, milling, grinding, welding, assembly and most important, finish. Each model is mounted on a wooden base so the carpentry and joinery apprentices were pressed into service to provide this. The Armoured vehicles manufactured were:

Rolls Royce 1920 Pattern Armoured Car, “Sliabh Na Mban”

Landsverk L 180 Armoured Car

Panhard AML 90

Ford MK 6 Armoured Car

Comet Tank

Panhard APC

Timony APC

Unimog Scout Car

Scorpion Light Tank

These beautiful models can now be viewed in the Defence Forces Library in Pearse Bks, Curragh Camp.

Landsverk L180 Armoured carThe Army Apprentice School Stand at RDS Scientific and Technical Exhibition October 1973 showing the first two models manufactured The Rolls Royce Armoured Car and the Landsverk L 180 Armoured Car.


army aPPrENTiCE SChOOl SaFETy BOOKlET

The Army Apprentice School Safety Booklet was prepared by the teaching staff of Devoy Barracks and edited by Ray O’Sullivan carpentry teacher. It was prepared and printed in 1997.

As the safety and health of each member of the school was a fundamental objective, it was decided to integrate this training into all courses. The booklet’s user-friendly layout and skillful drawings helped make students aware of the consequences of their action in the workplace both to themselves and to others.

It was used by the 41st Platoon in their refresher health and safety course and by the 42 nd Platoon after their induction in January 1998. The booklet has proved a great success and has since been used by Corps schools.

The booklet was sponsored by Mr Steve Higgins, Caragh Tool & Die Ltd and Mr Sean Finlay of RS Communications, both past students of the school. The drawings were prepared by Mr Richard Butler, son of Mr Derek Butler, fitting lecturer. Printing was carried out to a very high standard by the Defence Forces Printing Press.

20


ThE army aPPrENTiCE SChOOl

ThE FiNal yEarS

The Army Apprentice School was first conceived in 1947 when the Defence Forces were experiencing a severe shortage of qualified technicians and were unable to compete with civilian employers in attracting them. The Chief of Staff formed a board of officers

consisting of the Directors of the Corps involved and chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Col. Archer. The board recommended the setting up of a residential Apprentice School in the Military Barracks, Naas. The Board Report was submitted to the Minister of Defence in 1948. But it was not until 1956 that the School saw the light of day.

The Army Apprentice School officially opened on 08 October 1956 in the Military Barracks, Naas (Shortly afterwards renamed Devoy Barracks). The First Commanding Officer, Col J G McDonald and his staff got down to the business of training 2* Soldier Technicians. From its inception the apprentices sat the Department of Education Junior and Senior Trades Examinations.

Many changes took place over the 42 year life of the Army Apprentice School.

However many of the practices and decisions taken in the initial years of the School stood the test of time. For instance, compulsory night time study; apprentices all sit external examinations to ensure high standards, sport and PT remained an integral and important part of the training programme. Military training continued and evolved to the extent that the 40th platoon were the first to pass out as 3* soldiers having completed their 3* course while in the AAS.

Many changes took place since the school opened. In its final years the area of greatest change was that of technical training. The technical training programmes underwent radical change with the introduction of the new Standards Based Apprenticeship Scheme by FAS, the apprentice training authority. The 40th Platoon fitters were the first group in Ireland to follow this new syllabus in 1995.

21

Fitters machine shop 1997

Garage 1997


The principle changes in the new scheme are

- The apprenticeship is divided into seven phases. Phases 2,4 and 6 being ‘off the job’ in either a FÁS Centre (Phase 2) or an Institute of Technology (Phases 4 and 6). The other four being ‘on the job’.

- The era of the time served apprentice is over. Apprentices must now pass the assessment tests for all seven phases in order to obtain trade recognition.

- Dept of Education Senior and Junior Trade Examinations are replaced with assessment tests conducted in FÁS Training Centres or Institute of Technology for the ‘off the job’ phases and the workplace for ‘on the job’ phases.

- The most radical change in the new system is the concept that skills are acquired in the ‘off the job’ phases and these are then perfected in the ‘on the job’ phases. This passes considerable responsibility and cost for apprentice training to the employer, who must provide materials and experienced tradespersons to supervise the apprentice. Formal assessment tests must also be carried and the results sent to FÁS.

The introduction of this new scheme posed many challenges for the Army Apprentice School. As it was the only location delivering all three ‘off the job’ phases, the problems for the School were unique. Much new technology was introduced to all syllabi. This necessitated the procurement of new equipment and the training of teaching staff. The teaching and logistic staff responded in a positive way to this challenge. This element of the change had been implemented and the new syllabus was delivered to the members of 40 Platoon (‘95-’98) and 41 Platoon (‘96-’99).

22

The teaching staff July 1998 Back: Cpl J F Kennedy, Cpl L Lynch, Mr L Quirke, Mr R O’Sullivan, Mr C Galvin, Mr A Shaughnessy, Sgt B Griffin

Front: Mr P McCarthy, Mr M Noone, Mr D Butler, Mr F O’Connell, Mr J Dogget Absent from photo: Mr J Boylan, Mr N Farrell and Cpl L Higgins


One teacher completed a Diploma course in Occupational Health and Safety permitting the School to deliver the most up to date training in that area. It also produced, in conjunction with the Defence Forces Printing Press, an excellent Safety Booklet.

The school building had been completely modernised by the apprentices under the supervision of the teachers and with the assistance of the Engineer Corps. New classrooms, a modern lecture theatre with video projection system, new workshops in electrical, carpentry and fitting were

built to the most modern standards. A computer training facility was introduced with eight PCs on a network running educational software such as CNC, CAD.

1992 saw the first intake of female apprentices to the School. The arrival of females was a major development in the life of the Apprentice School and for some of the old timers it was a major culture shock. However after a few weeks the novelty of their presence wore off and life returned to normal. In 1995 the first female, Apprentice Penny O’Donnell, passed out as an electrician.

In another development the School conducted a number of in-service refresher courses for technicians in the Defence Forces. These were conducted in welding, turning, milling, CNC, fluid mechanics and electronics.

In January 1998 the School conducted a four-week course on the motor vehicle theory element of the Workshops Officers Course for the Cavalry Corps.

In the area of military training the Director of Training authorised the Army Apprentice School to train apprentices to 3* level. The 40th Platoon passed out as 3* Soldiers on 2 July 1998, the first and only platoon to do so, now that the AAS has been disestablished.

As can be seen from the above the great work carried out by the founding fathers and all subsequent staffs continued right up to the last day of the Army Apprentice School on 01 November 1998.

This Article was written by Lt Col D Donagh, OC AAS for An Cosantor to accompany photographs of 41 apprentice platoon passing out parade. however due to the announcement of the closure of the school two weeks after the passing out parade it was never published, Only the last paragraph has been altered from the original.

23

Woodworkers machine shop 1998

Radio technicians laboratory 1998


a STudENT'S PErSPECTivE OF hiS maSTErS

By Sgt. Jim Brady (Retired)

The Army Apprentice School, Naas, closed its gates for the last time in September 1998. A great chapter in the training of

apprentices for the Defence Forces is finally finished.

It was in this capacity that over a great number of years my path would cross with that of Mr Jimmy Doggett and Mr Derek Butler, both of whom were civilian engineering lecturers in the training school - each gave in excess of 41 years service in training apprentices. Their dedication and professionalism, gave us all as students, the preparation to sit and be successful in taking our respective Junior, Senior and City and Guilds examinations. The Defence Forces, Dept of Education, and industry as a whole are dotted with past pupils of the school, who were taught by Jimmy Doggett and Derek Butler and indeed went on to be very successful in their careers.

The National Apprentice Competition in Turning and Fitting was another area in which both teachers played a major role in developing student skills, and a great number went on to be finalists in the different sections of each competition down the years.

Extra curricular activities took the form of foreign travel with Derek Butler back in 1973. My own class the 17th Platoon Fitters were the first to avail of a round trip from Rosslare to Le-Havre, (Irish Coffee was 16p a go!!! no late night passes required). The journey home encountered a severe storm force gale and the ferry “The St. Patrick” had to dock off Penzance, England to carry out emergency repairs for an extra day. When we finally reached home the bar was completely dry and the food store empty - the ferry company were glad to see the end of us. Mr Butler continued the tours annually up to recent years, and Paris, Moscow, Copenhagen were but a few cities visited. Co-incidentally on some of the sea crossings a guided tour of the ship’s engine room was always organised by none other a past pupil of the Army Apprentice School, the ship’s engineer.

Jim Doggett was a father figure to us all, and a great confidant. His lectures were always full of wit or examples of funny incidents that had happened in his days of training or to past pupils. A famous remark of Jimmy’s was, when a student messed up on a machine process or drilled a hole in the wrong place “The Lord’s name was taken in vain” he was always heard to say - “Don’t bring that man down here in his bare feet”.

If advice was ever needed on taking additional examinations, future career prospects or just a friendly after class discussion Jim Doggett was never found wanting.

While the school is closed now - some may hold the view that it served its purpose. Its closure is a great loss to the State, the Defence Forces and industry as a whole - it produced some of Ireland’s finest technicians. It took first place in the world in City & Guilds examinations over its lifetime, and teachers like Jimmy Doggett and Derek Butler played a major role in the success of the school during its 42 years in apprentice training.

The author Mr. Jim Brady's father CQMS. J. Brady was a member of the Apprentice School staff when the school opened in 1956. He was a member of 17 Apprentice Platoon. He was an instructor in the Fitter Wing of the School from 1979 until his retirement in 1998.

24

Mr. D Butler in McDonald Hall


40Th aNNivErSary CElEBraTiONS

12 SEPTEmBEr 1996

by Lt Col. C. A. Whelan (Retd)

Former OC AAS

Few believed in September 1996, when we celebrated the Fortieth anniversary of its opening, that years later it would be closed. The anniversary served to highlight the contribution that the school had made to the Defence Forces. It also demonstrated the added value of the

school to the Irish economy. The graduates who travelled from the USA, Australia and the UK to be at the celebration bore testimony to the success of the Unit. The number of former students who were now businessmen here in Ireland, were unstinting in their praise for the School and the opportunity it gave them.

In uniform they had served their country and are now serving it in a different way, through the employment they are giving. The contribution of AAS graduates to overseas missions is acknowledged both at home and abroad.

25

Lt Gen G McMahon ( COS) Mr S Power T.D., Mr B Durkin T.D., Sgt J Brady (AAS Instructor) and Lt Col A Whelan (OC ASS)


On the 12 Sept 1996 more than 800 former graduates of the Army Apprentice School returned to their ‘Alma Mater’. For many it was their first time in Devoy Barracks since they passed out, in some cases more than 30 years earlier. Many were meeting again for the first time in years. There was much nostalgia, many stories and general good humour. The atmosphere throughout that day and night and indeed the next day is difficult to describe, it could never be recreated. It was an unique occasion, enjoyed by all.

There will never be another day like it. But for now as we remember that day let us contemplate the success of the Unit. The School motto ‘Ni Obair in Aisce’ seems more relevant to-day than ever before.

26

Group at 40th celebrations

Lt Gen G Mc Mahon plants an oak tree outside the school building to mark 40th anniversary


40Th PaSSiNg OuT ParadE

2 July 1998

The following two articles were written for An Cosantor as part of a report commemorating the 40th Passing Out Parade at the Army Apprentice School. Due to the announcement of the closure of Devoy Barracks two weeks after the parade they were not published. They were

written by the Platoon Officers of the 1st Platoon Lt Col. Con Costello (Retd) and 40th Platoon, Lt Patrick Kelly.

27

41 Platoon Passing Out Parade, 6 July 1999, in McDonagh Bks


ThE FirST PaSSiNg OuT ParadE

Lt Col. Con Costello (Retd)

People from many parts of Ireland, including the Six Counties, were present at Devoy Barracks, Naas, to witness the first passing out parade of 51 graduates from Scoil Printisigh An Airm, ‘the Army Apprentice School’: so reported the Irish Press on 03 July 1959. For

three years the military and civilian staff at the school had sought to achieve a new type of soldier for the army, a soldier who would combine the technical and military skills learnt in ‘this unique apprentice school’, as Lord Killanin, a director of Irish Shell, described AAS when presenting the Shell Trophy for the best all round graduate to Martin Culleton from Wicklow.

If the parade of thirty nine years ago was the happy ending to the first phase of the making of the army apprentice system, the fortieth parade confirms the success of the school, its instructors and its graduates.

On the fortieth anniversary of the opening of the school a couple of years ago many ex-apprentices and former staff gathered in Devoy Barracks to celebrate the occasion. I was especially pleased to meet men who had been in the first platoon, and to hear of their progress over the years, and to know that some of their sons had also passed through AAS. The choice of Ní Obair In Aisce Í, as the school motto was a good one.

28

Former commanding officers at celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of AAS on 12th of September 1996

Lt Col W Hayes, Col J P Connole (retd) Col P Daly, Col J G McDonald (retd) Lt Col J Vize


FOrTy yEarS ON

By Lt. Patrick Kelly

In this the year of the fortieth passing out parade it is a time to reflect on the achievements of both staff and students of the Army Apprentice School. Although the faces, training and equipment may have changed the comradeship, pride, loyalty and ethos of the school has

remained and grown ever stronger. The students of the school continue to achieve the high standards both academic and military that have made this institution so valuable to the Defence Forces at home and abroad. Perhaps the most striking difference over the forty years is that on this anniversary year students are for the first time leaving Devoy Barracks as three star soldiers. The combination of full time study and intensive military training over three years has resulted in a well rounded disciplined soldier with many skills and an excellent attitude to work. This attitude has enabled graduates to win many awards in national and international apprentice competitions bringing enormous respect and recognition to the hard work undertaken by staff and students alike.

The involvement of the unit on the sporting field cannot be overlooked. Over the years many students and staff have made their impact on army and civilian playing fields. Presently there are quite a few, former personnel showing their skills to the nation at large every Sunday at the highest level. The AAS has had excellent results over the past number of years in Gaelic football, soccer, boxing, badminton and orienteering, a sport in which a number of apprentices are hoping to represent the Defence Forces at the upcoming CISM championships.

The AAS has always maintained the relationship it has shared with the town of Naas since its inception and has enhanced this by chairing the town's Youth Parliament for the last number of years as well as taking part in many fund-raising activities for various charities. These efforts have raised thousands of pounds for the less fortunate, the proceeds of which are presented where possible on the day of the passing out parade each year. And so we in the AAS celebrate our fortieth parade with old friends and new, we can look back with pride at the results of the young men and women who have made the Army Apprentice School such a unique and rewarding unit to serve in.

29


POrTraiT OF JOhN dEvOy

On 22 September 1998, the day after the closure of Devoy Barracks, the Officer Commanding Devoy Barracks and the Army Apprentice School presented Naas Urban District Council with a magnificent portrait of John Devoy that hung in the Officers

Mess. The presentation took place in the council chamber in the presence of all nine members of Naas UDC. Mr. Paddy Behan, Chairman of Naas UDC, who accepted the portrait on behalf of the Council, thanked the Officers of Army Apprentice School for the presentation and for the Units contribution to the town of Naas over the years of its existence. He said that the portrait would hang in the council chamber and would serve as a reminder to the people of Naas of the existence of the Army Apprentice School.

The portrait by Mr. Thomas O’Connor was commissioned by the Officers of Devoy Barracks Officers Mess and unveiled in the Mess on 14 May 1958.

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Mr P Behan, (Chairman Naas UDC), Capt C Kelleher, Lt Col D Donagh


a day TO rEmEmBEr

By Capt Fred O'Donovan

D-Day the 21 September 1998, the official closing ceremony of Devoy Barracks and the subsequent move of the Army Apprentice School and, 6 Battery, 6 FAR to the Curragh Camp. Even though the actual departure of the last troops to leave the Barracks wouldn't

come until the 1st October 1998, the date had been set. Open invitations had been granted to the town of Naas, ex-personnel of the barracks - soldiers, civilians, teachers and officers alike. The usual dignitaries would also be in attendance, amongst who were GOC Curragh Command, Brig Gen Colclough, Command Adjutant, Curragh Command, Lt Col Hayes ( a former CO of the AAS) and representatives of the various Corps and town councillors. Even ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ paid us a visit in the guise of Peter O’Toole, recently arrived from a local charity show.

At this stage the barracks was a shell of its former self, literally. Weeks of packing, ‘burning’, stripping (rooms!!) and moving, left images of the last days of the 3rd Reich in most peoples minds. But for this special day all tools were downed and the barracks was given its final face lift in order to have her looking well for her wake, as it was. All signs of evacuation were hidden and an air of normality restored, though temporarily.

The general public started arriving about an hour before the ceremony was due to begin. It was a bright warm day, not consistent with the rest of the month. But despite the weather there was a feeling of sadness amongst the people. An institution they had for so long known as an intrinsic part of their town was been laid to rest.

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Forming up on the square of Devoy Barracks for the last time


The parade formed up at 1040 hrs on the square under the A/RSM Dave Henry, who had returned off his pre-discharge leave in order to be a part of this historic day. He handed over to Comdt John Ryan who in turn handed over to Lt Col. Des Donagh, Officer Commanding the Army Apprentice School and Devoy Barracks. The parade was called to attention, given a right turn and ordered to march out. Capt Mark Armstrong and the Band of the Curragh Command led the march under the clock tower, followed closely by Headquarters Coy, then Apprentice Coy and last of all representatives of the 6 FAR.

Meanwhile, at the main gate, digni tar ies surrounded the Russian cannon and observers from all walks of life waited around the flag for the parade to arrive. It wasn’t long before the main body halted in front of the National Colours. Fr. Tony O’Keeffe said a prayer for peace and anyone who ever served in the barracks who may have died over the years. It was just after this that I began the narration of the ceremony that was to come comprising a short history of the barracks itself. The time had now come. I marched over to the flag with Coy Sgt Dave Henry where we prepared for the final salute to the National Colours. The band played ‘sundown’ while we lowered the flag and then ceremoniously folded it. I then presented it to Lt Col Des Donagh who in turn handed over the flag to Col Jock McDonald (Retd), the first Officer Commanding the Army Apprentice School.

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The National colours are lowered for the last time Capt F O Donovan and A/RSMD Henry

Troops march out under the archway for the last time


All AAS personnel not on parade then fell in with the main body, which was recently joined by an Acmat gun tower and 25 pdr Gun from 6 FAR. Lt Col Donagh aligned the parade to the main gate and gave the order to march out while the band played ‘Auld Lang Syne;’. An impromptu applause rang out from spectators as the AAS left Devoy Barracks for the last time, bringing home the reality and finality of the event. Of course, they may have been just glad to see us go !!

A sombre and hot body halted 55 metres down the road and mounted transport for the Curragh. The weather was taking it’s toll and near collisions with the traffic on the road caused a few hearts to miss a beat and nearly gave us another strength decrease or two. Most were thankful that nobody pushed the idea to march the Camp itself.

The parade formed up again at the water tower in the Curragh and marched to Pearse/McDonagh Barracks (new home to the AAS) exchanging salutes with the Honour Guard along the way. On the main square we were greeted by Brig Gen C Dodd. After his welcoming speech, the parade marched past and fell out and up onto transport, bound for the canteen in Devoy where sorrows were duly drowned.

Most people will have mixed memories of the day, happy, sad, confused or proud even. But for whatever reason nobody will ever forget the dignified last farewell to an old friend.

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Brig Gen C Dodd takes the salute of AAS on McDonagh Bks square Capt F O Donovan, Lt Col D Donagh and Brig Gen C Dodd


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Sgt. M Hennessey (Retd), Col. J McDonald(Retd),Col M Clancy Mr P Behan, Chairman Naas UDC, Brig Gen F Colclough, Lt Col W Hays, Lt Col Foley, Lt Col C Costello (Retd)

Lt Col D Donagh OC AAS leads the parade out of Devoy Barracks for the last time


ClOSiNg CErEmONy SPEECh

The following is the final speech by the adjutant of devoy Barracks, Capt Fred O’donovan, given on the day of the decommissioning ceremony.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Officer Commanding, Lt Col Des Donagh, you are most welcome to the Army Apprentice School here in Devoy Barracks, Naas. I am Capt Fred O’Donovan, Barrack Adjutant.

I will be your compere for this historic decommissioning ceremony of Devoy Barracks which will commence in approximately five minutes after I give you a brief history of the barracks throughout its foundation. If any problems of any nature arise, just attract the attention of one of our Military Policemen who you can see around the parade ground.

history

Today is an historic day and not the first in the life of this barracks which takes it’s name from the Fenian Leader, John Devoy, who was born close to Kill, not far from here. The name was promulgated officially by the Adjutant General of the Defence Forces in 1957. Prior to that, for the first 144 years of it’s existence, it bore no name and was simply known as ‘The Barracks, Naas’.

Building commenced in August 1810 with the barracks being constructed with rubble masonry and facings of Wicklow Granite. It is similar in style and layout to the many other barracks built in Ireland at this time. The date of completion is given as 1813. It’s purpose being an Infantry Barracks it was designed to accommodate 18 Officers and 300 Privates, or double that in time of war. Construction cost £17,900. The first soldiers to occupy the barracks were militia men from Great Britain.

After Overseas Service, the Kildare Militia was disbanded here in 1814 but due to Napoleon’s ‘Hundred Days’ it was re-embodied and remained on active service until 1816.

In the interim, the 6th Garrison Battalion served here until it was replaced by the Forfar Militia. The first regular unit to occupy the barracks was the 42nd Highlanders otherwise known as the Blackwatch, who came here in 1814.

For the next few years regiments were continually moving into and out of the barracks, spending perhaps 3 to 6 months in garrison before being moved elsewhere.

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Lowering the colours for the last time Capt F O Donovan and A/RSM D Henry


The first unit to have an unusually long stay in Naas was the 71st Regiment - Highland Light Infantry which arrived here in 1848 from service in Canada and the West Indies.

On the commencement of the Crimean War, the barracks saw considerable military activity with troops being mobilised for the Mediterranean Area. The Kildare Militia was again embodied in 1855.

1867 saw the 89th Regiment arrive from Aldershot in order to aid in quelling the Fenian Rising.

In 1881 the 66th Brigade, who used Naas as their Depot, became the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Naas thus became their depot.

During the First World War and War of Independence, the barracks remained the Depot of the Dublin Fusiliers. In this period the barrack square was halved by a barbed wire fence and the Black and Tans occupied one section.

Following the truce the IRA were anxious to arrange an early handover of Naas Barracks by the British Forces in order to establish an Officers Training School, but the British insisted on retaining it until the Curragh had been evacuated. The last detachment of Dublin Fusiliers marched out on the 7th of February 1922. They were destined for Bordon in Hampshire where they were disbanded on the 31st of July of that year.

The last British Troops here were a company of ‘the Leicesters’ who handed over the barracks to Irish Forces headed by Col Comdt Moylan, Brigadier Thomas Lawlor and Captain John Joyce. There was no ceremony to mark the occasion. The Flag Pole had been sawn down and removed so that the Tri-Colour could not be hoisted until the new Garrison had located and erected a temporary one here at the Main Gate.

During the Civil War there was considerable activity in the area and in July 1922 the barracks came under fire from anti-treaty forces.

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VIP Guests at closing Ceremony for Devoy Barracks Mr Reilly (Chairman Kildare Co. Co.), Mr P Behan (Chairman, Naas UDC), Brig Gen F Colclough (GOC Curragh Comd), Lt Col W Hays, Col J McDonald(Retd), Lt

Col C Costello (Retd), Capt R Folry, Col J Sanderson, Col M Clancy (D Ord), Comdt B Wallace (President RACO), Lt Col J Foley, Lt Col J O’Sullivan, Col S O’Connor (Retd), Cpl P Grogan (President PDFORRA)


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After the Civil War the 33rd Battalion, 520 strong, formed the Garrison until it was disbanded in 1926 when a Signal Unit from the Curragh took over. In 1928 the barracks closed and was handed over to the Office of Public Works.

From this until the Emergency period of World War II some of the buildings in the barracks housed such small industries as a slipper factory, a sausage factory and a printing works. In 1931 about half of the barracks was leased to the Naas Cotton Mills and the County Kildare VEC took over the original Officers Mess and most of the main block north of the archway. In 1934 the UDC took over the Married Quarters as Local Authority Housing which they named St. Patrick’s Terrace.

Early in the Emergency, Curragh Area Records were transferred to Naas and a company of the 16th Battalion did garrison duties. In 1942 the barracks again closed and was not reopened until 1945 when it became No 1 Depot of the Construction Corps. The corps was disbanded in 1948 and the barracks was then occupied by a small caretaker detachment of the 3rd Battalion in the Curragh.

The present unit - The Army Apprentice School - was formed on the 8th of October 1956, under the command of Lt Col. Jock McDonald, its purpose being to train boys as technicians for the Regular Army and Naval Service.

Since then approximately one thousand eight hundred have graduated from the Apprentice School. All qualified to the highest academic standards set by the Department of Education and the City and Guilds of London. Some have distinguished themselves by winning first place in Ireland and subsequently representing their country in World Apprentice Competitions.

And now on this historic day, the marching out state of the Army Apprentice School is

7 Officers25 NCO’s14 Pte’s28 Aptce’s

The motto and creed of the Army Apprentice School and Devoy Barracks was, is and will always be “Ni Obair in Aisce I” - “No Work is Done in Vain”.

BFW Staff at Closing Ceremony

Left to Right: J. Watters, J. O’Neill, T. Smith, R. Delaney, J. Danagher, K. Lacy (Foreman), Pte. M. McCormack, (not in picture: D. Nolan, M. Phelan)


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dECOmmiSSiONiNg CErEmONy

On my left we have a parade consisting of the Army Apprentice School’s HQ and Aptce Coy and the FCA’s, 6 Bty, 6 Fd Arty Regt - both units currently operate in Devoy Barracks. Also present is the Band of the Curragh Command under the baton of Capt Mark Armstrong. The parade is commanded by Lt Col. Des Donagh, Officer Commanding the Army Apprentice School and Devoy Barracks.

After the flag has been lowered I will present it to Lt Col Donagh who in turn will present it to Col Jock McDonald, first Officer Commanding the Army Apprentice School.

The parade will then face the Main Gate and march out of barracks, bound for the Curragh Camp.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we will now proceed to take down the Flag.

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Ex-Staff members (Ptes)army apprentice School

devoy Barracks, Naas

Pte Bennett, D Pte Browne, J Pte Browne, MPte Comerford, J Pte Connelly, P Pte Duffin, JPte Faley, J Pte Gayson, C Pte Gunning, FPte Kinsella, H Pte Maher, J Pte Mitchell, JPte Morrissey, J Pte Murphy, D Pte Murray, JPte McCormack, J Pte McEvoy, M Pte O’Brien, JPte O’Brien, P Pte O’Neill, D Pte O’Rourke, JPte O’Rourke, P Pte O’Reilly, P Pte Reilly, KPte O’Sullivan, D Pte Gannon, W Pte Gough, JPte Doran, M Pte Williams, J Pte Mitchell, SPte Lally, R Pte Reilly, W Pte Percival, PPte Russel, B Pte Murphy, P Pte Lawless, DPte Bowe, J Pte Silke, T.F. Pte Ryan, TPte Kenna, J Pte Hogan, P Pte Keenan, MPte O’Neill, P Pte Dwyer, B Pte Butler, JPte O’Sullivan, J Pte Durnin, L Pte Dunne, JPte Barry, K Pte Killeen, J Pte Pearse, PPte Bergin, C Pte Day, P Pte Woodlock, EPte Skehan, J Pte Lawlor, J.J. Pte Rogers, PPte Flynn, M Pte Dooley, D Pte Dunnyford, TPte Hayes, P Pte O’Shaughnessy, J Pte Philips, MPte Brogan, J Pte Clifford, J Pte Egan, TPte Fennessy, A Pte Lawlor, J Pte Loakman, S Pte McCormack, T Pte McLoughlin, M Pte Nash, MPte Reynolds, J Pte Daly, M Pte Travers, JPte Lackey, M Pte Cully, J Pte Dunne, PPte Byrne, J Pte Lawlor, N Pte Lawlor, JPte Kelly, J Pte Lackey, A Pte Danagher, DPte Brophy, D Pte Smyth, B Pte O’Connor, SPte Kearns, T Pte Byrne, J

Note: The book celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the AAS contained the names of the officers and NCO’s who served in the Unit.

This completes the roll-call of those who served in the AAS

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46/98 FINAL ROUTINE ORDER 18th Nov 1998By

Lt Col D. DonaghOfficer Commanding Army Apprentice School

Pearse/McDonagh Barracks

Part 1

312 Programme of Training As published for the Month of November 1998

313 Duties As published for the Month of November 1998

Part II Section A314 Strength Decrease Posting Out Number Rank Name Unit Posted 0.8298 Lt Col D Donagh DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.8307 Comdt J Ryan DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.8942 Capt ODonoghue J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.9735 Capt ODonovan F DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.9738 Capt Kelleher C DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.9945 Lt Kelly P DFTC Apprentice Detachment 0.9739 Capt McNamara DFTC Apprentice Detachment

Part II Section B315 Strength Decrease Posting Out Number Rank Name Unit Posted to 813617 BQ Cody P DFTC Apprentice Detachment 829675 CS Henry D DFTC Apprentice Detachment 821833 CQ Behan M DFTC Apprentice Detachment 300044 Sgt Quigley M DFTC Apprentice Detachment 833040 Sgt Stacey G DFTC Apprentice Detachment 844661 Sgt Behan J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 826041 Sgt Loughran J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 839361 Sgt Higgins B DFTC Apprentice Detachment 845548 Sgt Murran M DFTC Apprentice Detachment 826471 Cpl Pearse G DFTC Apprentice Detachment 851323 Cpl O’Callaghan P DFTC Apprentice Detachment 828325 Cpl Higgins J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 835628 Cpl Walsh J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 846088 Cpl Breen J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 839825 Cpl McCabe C DFTC Apprentice Detachment 841861 Cpl McNamara M DFTC Apprentice Detachment 849340 Cpl Comerford B DFTC Apprentice Detachment 846438 Cpl Sweeney G DFTC Apprentice Detachment

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46/98 Final Routine Order 18/11/98By

OC AAS

Page 2

Strength Decrease Posting Out Contd.... 838445 Pte Brogan J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 852806 Pte Brophy D DFTC Apprentice Detachment 850323 Pte Danagher D DFTC Apprentice Detachment 849338 Pte Dunne P DFTC Apprentice Detachment 842197 Pte Hayes P DFTC Apprentice Detachment 849472 Pte Lackey A DFTC Apprentice Detachment 848842 Pte Lackey M DFTC Apprentice Detachment 844123 Pte Lawlor J DFTC Apprentice Detachment 851335 Pte Lawlor N DFTC Apprentice Detachment 818714 Pte McLoughlin DFTC Apprentice Detachment 843317 Pte Smyth B DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856179 Apt Commons DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856166 Apt Crowley DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856155 Apt Deegan DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856161 Apt Doyle DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856180 Apt Fanning DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856158 Apt Gallagher DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856160 Apt Harrington DFTC Apprentice Detachment 865164 Apt Laffan DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856153 Apt Lawlor DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856150 Apt Maguire DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856151 Apt McKenna DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856156 Apt McKenna R DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856163 Apt Moynihan DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856162 Apt ODonnell DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856188 Apt OFlaherty DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856157 Apt OLoughlin DFTC Apprentice Detachment 300203 Apt Sherlock DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856152 Apt Syron DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857081 Apt Tighe DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857019 Apt Reid DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857019 Apt Maher DFTC Apprentice Detachment 300326 Apt Hourihan DFTC Apprentice Detachment 300327 Apt Mahon DFTC Apprentice Detachment 856837 Apt McManus DFTC Apprentice Detachment 300292 Apt Sidley DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857027 Apt Maguire DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857025 Apt Murphy DFTC Apprentice Detachment 857030 Apt Kerrigan DFTC Apprentice Detachment

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46/98 Final Routine Order 18/11/98By

OC AAS

Page 3

adendum to Strength increase Reference RO 1/98 Defence Force Apprentice Detachment to include as follows 819131 CQ Hetherimgton T 847554 Sgt Dundon 850913 Cpl Coogan 844033 Cpl Dooley 848583 Cpl Fulham 850509 Cpl Hickey 850914 Cpl Shelly D 849338 Pte Dunne P

Part III Section A Nil Section B NilPart IV Section A Nil Section B Nil

_________________________________CaptainF O DonovanAdjutant Army Apprentice School

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Army Apprentice Platoons

1956 - 2001

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1st apprentice Platoon 1956 - 1959

1st Row L to R: Sgt T. Stynes (Pl Sgt), Aptces M. Culleton, P. Gilbride, Mr M. O’Keeffe (Electrical), Mr J.G. Kiernan (Woodwork), Lt C. Costello (Pl Comd), Comdt J. Kilcullen (Chief Instructor), Lt Col J.G. McDonald OIC, Capt M. Begley (Coy Comd), Mr L. Lee (Fitting), Mr D. Donnelly (MT Fitting), RSM

Cleary, Aptces P. Clancy, N. Whelan, T. Fagan, Cpl J. Drewitt (Pl Cpl). 2nd Row L to R: Aptces D. Devine, M. McCoy, F. Boland, M. Fahy, T. Power, C. Walsh, T. Clarke, J. Reynolds, M. Carolan, P. Fahy, H. Deignan, T. Quinn, J. Carroll, M. Gantley, M. Dunne. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces E. Gouran, M. Scanlon, T. Heffernan, J. Murray, P. McGarry, J. Martin, J. McCafferty, J. Lucy, F. McEvoy, P. Sheerin, P. Dunne, J. Lloyd,

J. McIntyre, P. McGoldrick, C. Crowley, J. Brennan, B. Russell, J. Moran, C.Guiney. 4th Row L to R: Aptces P. Relihan, G. O’Connell, J. Murphy, W. Gaffney, J. Buckley, S. Keogh, J. Egan, J. Keany, J. Morgan, P. Kilgannon, S.A. Johnson, J. O’Brien, S. Murphy.

2nd apprentice Platoon 1957 - 1960

Seated L to R: Mr O’Shea, CQMS J. Everan, Mr P. Harkin, Mr J. Boylan, Mr B. O’Brien, Lt Maher, Mr M. O’Keeffe, Comdt J. Kilcullen, Lt Col J.G. McDonald, Mr G. Kiernan, Capt M. Begley, Mr Donnelly, Mr L. Lee, Mr P. Cahill, Mr D. Butler, RSM P. Cleary, Mr J. Doggett.

2nd Row L to R: Sgt A. Byrne, Aptces J. Kiernan, L. Byrne, L. Hayes, M. Nolan, O. Ward, P. Farry, P. Sullivan, M. Phelan, T. Dalton, O. Phelan, R. Donnelly, P.J. Curran, Cpl Lawlor, Sgt M. Hennessy (Pl Sgt). 3rd Row L to R: Sgt Compton, Aptces J. Reilly, N. Brannigan, J. Higgins, S.

O’Carroll, G. Healy, A. McCarthy, B. Ryan, S. O’Sullivan, C. Doyle, P. Reilly, E. Johnson, M. Hanley, E. Moore, Cpl J. Drewitt.4th Row L to R: Aptces J. Cummins, S. Fox, W. Reidy, J. McMahon, J. Downes, M. Clancy, J. Lynch, P. McElroy, P. Sheedy, M. Neary, P. Byrne, P. Hanna, J.

Geraghty. Back Row L to R: Aptces E. Lawlor, J. Doyle, J. Eaton, J. Kinsella, J. Donovan, S. McDermott, D. McCarthy, P. Slevin.

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3rd apprentice Platoon 1958 - 1961

Seated L to R: BQMS J. Everan, Mr P. Harkin, Mr B. O’Brien, Mr J. Doggett, Mr M. O’Keeffe, Mr L. Lee, Mr G. Kiernan, Lt M. Gafferty, Comdt J. Kilcullen, Lt Col J.G. McDonald, Capt J. Bergin, Mr D. Butler, Mr J. Boylan, Mr P. Cahill, Mr P. Purcell, Mr P. O’Shea, RSM P. Cleary.

2nd Row L to R: Cpl P. Mahon, Cpl T. Burke, Aptces J. Carney, P. Donoghue, T. Downes, E. Hearnes, O. Egan, J. Harkin, M. Maher, C. Lamb, J. Tallon, F. Healy, B. Coleman, M. Hennessy, Sgt D. Dawson (Pl Sgt), Sgt A. Byrne, Sgt M. Gaffney. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces T. Ryan,

P. Byrne, W. Redmond, B. Byrne, J. Murphy, C. Curran, M. Byrne, J. Kearnes, P. Cummins, T. McCarney, C. Kelly, M. O’Reilly, M. Fenlon, J. Corcoran, M. McGrath. Back Row L to R: Aptces P. Clare, N. Mason, P. Cunningham, L. Foley, J. Hyland, J. Kieran, E. Kelly, N. Byrne, J. Stanton, P.

Fitzgerald, B. Daly, J. Gilligan, P. Waters, J. O’Reilly, T. Costello.

4th apprentice Platoon 1959 - 1962

Seated L to R: Sgt T. Stynes, Mr P. Harkin, Mr F.S. O’Connell, Mr J. Dogget, Mr B. O’Brien, Mr L. Lee, Mr J. Kiernan, Comdt J. Kilcullen, Lt Col J.G. McDonald, Capt D. O’Donovan, Lt D. McManus, Mr D. Butler, Mr P. Purcell, Mr P. Cahill, Mr J. Boylan, Mr M. O’Keeffe.

2nd Row L to R: Sgts M. Gaffney, A. Byrne, Aptces W. Grattan, J. Murthagh, J. O’Reilly, J. Griffin, R. Downey, T. Ryan, J. Veale, W. Crowley, J. McKeown, D. Morrissey, V. Kavanagh, J. Hand, M. Wilson, Cpls C. Coyle, P. McNamara. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces B. Curran, K. Keogh,

T. Costello, A. Dodd, P. Hanley, P. Casey, J. Ready, J. Connolly, W. Buckley, S. McLoughlin, C. McKenna, E. Reck, M. Hamilton, P. Clarke, J. O’Boyle. 4th Row L to R: Aptces T. Anderson, W. Dalton, E. McGuinness, M. Murphy, T. Egan, J. Nolan, G. Nicholl, M. McHugh,

M. Carroll, E. Kilcoyne, M. O’Brien, V. Houlihan, J. Duffe, R. Sinnott, Cpl Callaghan. Back Row L to R: Aptces T. Grimes, J. Daly, C. Martin, J. Grehan, M. Nevin, M. McDonagh, W. Carroll, B. Tobin, J. Barry.

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Front Row L to R: BQMS Everan, Mr F O' Connell, Mr P Ryan, Mr P Cahill, Mr P Harkin, Mr L Lee, Mr G Kiernan, Lt Col J Kilcullen, Capt M Begley, Capr P Murphy, Mr J Doggett, Mr J Boylan, Mr B O'Brien, Mr D Butler, Lt R Leonard, RSM Daly.

2nd Row L to R: Sgt Gaffney, Aptces S Mitchell, J Nolan, W O'Keeffe, P Ward, R Sullivan, A Behan, P Sherry, L Webb, P Kelly, J Crowley, P Gleeson, P McGlynn, E Byrne, P Bolger, Sgt Dawson, Sgt Byrne. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces P McDermott, N Kearns, T Clancy, P Hogan,

P Joyce, P Lucey, J Hayes, J Breen, M Meehan, D Phelan, J Commerford, P Mannion, M Devane, J Devereux, W Walsh.4th Row L to R: Aptces M Quinn, P O'Brien, J Cremin, J O'Neill, J Kinsella, M Turner, S Watts, P Whelan, P Govern, G Tobin, C McCarthy.

Back Row L to R: Aptces C McLoughlin, G O'Dwyer, T O'Reilly, G Tallon, P Gilsenan, J Doran.


Seated L to R: Cpl Shea, BQMS J. Everan, Mr P. Cahill, Mr F.S. O’Connell, Mr B. O’Brien, Mr P. Harkin, Mr G. Kiernan, Capt M. Begley, Lt Col McDonald, Lt Mangan, Mr P. Purcell, Mr J. Boylan, Mr D. Butler, Mr M. O’Keeffe, Mr J. Doggett, BSM P. Cleary.

2nd Row L to R: Sgt Doyle, Aptces R. Shaughnessy, M. Bryan, R. Egan, P. Bolger, H. Cavanagh, C. Slevin, A. Collins, M. O’Rourke, T. Cashman, M. Grehan, M. Corbett, W. Frain, Sgt Brennan, Sgt M. Hennessy (Pl Sgt). 3rd Row L to R: Aptces B. Magee, P. Keenan,

J. Fitzsimons, J. Brady, J. Hennebry, J. Curran, S. O’Reilly, W. Hogan, J. Nolan, L. Flanagan, P. Hanlon, J. O’Connell, Sgt M. Gaffney.4th Row L to R: Aptces R. Culleton, P. Martin, S. Hynes, K. Furlong, C. Rock, M. Smith, W. O’Connor, J. Clancy, W. Sullivan, J. Lennon,

T. Keenan, P. Donnelly, P. Buggle. Back Row L to R: Aptces D. Boland, M. Magner, P. Coughlan, J. Prendergast, M. Lyons, P. Turner, P. Corrigan, D. Ryan, M. O’Neill, E. Byrne, E. Gaffney, A. Carolan.

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7th apprentice Platoon 1962 - 1965Not in order as per Photograph

Aptces Barron J, Baxter L, Bolger J, Brogan P, Burke T, Cahill J, Coffey C, Connell J, Copeland B, Cronin W, Culleton P, Curry R, Daly M, Davey J, Doyle J, Fenton R, Flanagan J, Foley G, Gould J, Grace P, Grant F, Griffin F, Harte J, Hayes J, Hogan T, Keans M, Keating K, Keenan J, Kelly J, Kelly J, Kenna C, Maguire V, Maher M, McKevitt F, McManus V, Mullins R, Murphy C, O'Brien D, O'Brien J, O'Brien T, O'Connor P, O'Grady T, O'Mahoney P,

O'Neill A, Prior P, Quinlan P, Quirke B, Sheehan J, Swinbourne P, Walsh T.Instructors are also included in this photgraph.


Front Row L to R: BQMS Everan, Mr Harkin, Mr Barry, Mr O’Brien, Mr Kiernan, Mr Ryan, Capt Murphy, Capt Begley, Lt Col Kilcullen, Lt Dunleavey, Mr O’Keeffe, Mr Bylan, Mr Lee, Mr Cahill, Mr Butler, Mr Doggett, RSM Daly. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt Gaffney, Cpl Shelly,

Aptces Coakley J, Burke J, Dunne P, McKiernan F, Hughes P, Reville J, Higgins S, W O’Donnell, Cassidy T, Cullen P, Folan P, Cronin, Geoghegan T, Cpl Shea, Sgt Hennessy. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces W Greensmyth, D Fitzpatrick, J Morris, P Griffin, C Quirke, L Hartley, G Doody, P Hickey, B Griffin, J Lynskey M Lennon, J Healy, C McCarthy, P Healy, J Kelly. Back Row L to R: Aptces P Kirby, M Crossan, J Mulcahy, J O’Neill, Doody G, C Malone,

J Harrington, J Smith, Kelly K, P Doyle, W McDermott, P Molloy, W McAuliffe, P Molloy.

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Front Row L to R: CQMS J. Duggan, Mr P. Barrett, Mr P. Harkin, Mr P. O'Brien, Mr P. Barry, Capt M. Begley, Comdt J. Doolan, Lt Col J. Kilcullen, Mr G. Kiernan, Lt P. McCann, Mr J. Boylan, Mr P. Cahill, Mr M. O'Keeffe, Mr D. Butler, Mr J. Doggett, Mr P. Ryan, BSM D. Daly. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt M. Gaffney, Aptces T. Russel, P.Stokes , P. Murray, J. Connelly, M. Hanley, W. Moloney, R. Byrne, M. Ryan, J. Murphy, R. Ryan, W. O'Shea, J. Loonan, L. Keating, Cpl C. Martin, Cpl M. O'Sullivan. 3rd Row L to R: Sgt D. Dawson,

Aptces T. Moloney, E. O'Connell, J. Cunneen, P. Tumulty, P. Costello, K. Houlihan, T. Ivors, T. Rafter, J. O'Connell, B. McCormack, J. Jones, D. Byrne, M. Hayes, J. Tobin. Back Row L to R: Aptces P. Cadogan, W. Devereaux, B. Connell, M. Donoghue, P. Fitzgerald, D. McDonald, P. Morrison, C.

O'Regan, M. English, E. Hogan, W. McAuliffe, J. O'Sullivan, A. O'Connor.


1st Row L to R: Sgt T. Stynes, BQMS J. Everan, Mr J. Doggett, Mr P. Harkin, Mr O'Keeffe, Mr G. Kieran, Mr M. Noonan, Mr P. McCarthy, Comdt S. Doolan, Lt Col J. Kilcullen, Capt T. Mackin, Lt K. Dunleavy, Mr J. Lavelle, Mr B.O'Brien, Mr D. Butler, Capt K. Daly, RSM D. Daly, Sgt M. Magner.

2nd Row L to R: Sgt C.Martin, Aptces J. Evans, J. Sweeney, B. O'Brien, J. Feeney, B. Faulkner, T. McColl, P. Loftus, J. Fagan, K. Barrett, V. Mullins, P. Quinn, M. Wilson, J. Daly, G. Carroll, J. Mann, R. Collins, Cpl P. O'Brien. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces E. Perry,

D. Coughlan, H. O'Reilly, P. Cronin, K. Wyse, J. Holden,M. O'Brien, J. Burns, J. Quirke, L. Jordan, N. Folan, T. Martin, M. Harrington, M. O'Halloran, E. Clancy, L. Ryan. Back Row L to R: Aptces R. O'Brien, J. Downey, J. Lawlor, P. O'Shea, S. Mitten, M. GraceW. Clancy,

E. Lynch, W. Roche, D. Killoran, T. Prendergast, J. McDermott, P. Kehoe, D. Dunne, P. Crowe.

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Aptces J. Arundal, T. Breenan, J. Burke, M. Butler, J. Byrne, E. Byrne, L. Carty, R. Conway, J. Corbett, E. Coyne, J. Croke, B. Crowley, M. Cullen, D. Doody, M. Doyle, R. Egan, P. English, T. Farrell, M. Fenton, M. Finn, V. Fitzgerald, M. Grace, P. Grace, P. Holden, P. Keady,

M. Kirwan, M. Malone, J. Mitten, O. Mortimer, P. Muldowney, W. Mulligan, R. Murphy, J. Murray, J. O'Brien, M. O’Hara, J. Reidy, N. Reville, T. Rochford, P. Ruddy, E. Ryan, M. Scully, J. Sheehan, W. Sinnott, D. Southwell, E. Stone, F. Walsh, D. Walsh.

Instructors are also included in this photgraph.


N. Bennett, C. Brannigan, J. Byrne, J. Corrigan, E. Cronin, D. Cullen, M. Doran, M. Doyle, J. Doyle, J. Dunne, A. Farrell, M. Fennell, J. Fitzgerald, T. Fitzgerald, M. Fitzgerald, M. Folan, J. Halpin, R Henaghan, J. Hennessy, E. Holden, M. Kavanagh, J. Keane,

J. Kelly, M. Kelly, J. Kitt, P. Maher, R. Mattews, W. Carthy, C. McDermott, P. McDonagh, T. Moloney, J. Monaghan, J. Murphy, D. Neligan, C. O'Brien, M. O'Connor, T. O'Donnell, J. O'Keeffe, J. O'Sullivan, S. Quigley, N Reidy, C. Reidy, W. Roche,

M. Scully, F. Sheehan, E. Sheehan, N. Smyth, W. Stone, E. Teehan, P. Tobin, N. Treacy.


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Seated L to R: BQMS J. Everan, Mr P. Harkin, Mr B. O’Brien, Mr C. Galvin, Mr P. Loughman, Mr M. Noone, Mr J. Doggett, Mr J. Kieran, Capt J. Saunderson, Lt Col J. Kilcullen, Mr P. McCarthy, Mr M. O'Keeffe, Mr J. Boylan, Lt CJ. Dunleavy, Mr D. Butler, Sgt D. Dawson,

Cpls J. O’Neill, P. O’Shea, Sgt M. Magner, RSM D. Daly. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt M. Sullivan, Aptces J. McGrath, P. O’Neill, H. Ryan, M. Burke, E. Shaw, P. Boggan, D. Harrington, L. Slattery, J. Doyle D. Orohoe, P. A McGovern, E. O’Connor, H. Carroll, J. Cox, P. Esmonde, Sgt E. Griffin. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces T. Coyne, M. Daly J. Power, J. Corcoran, M. Coleman, P. Green, T. Kilkenny, J McDermott, T. Webster, P. Bradshaw, P. Hayes, A. Doyle, C.

Brophy, J. Phelan, J. Noonan, J. Bourke, T. Shanahan, J. Sinnott, T. Hayes. Back Row L to R: Aptces J. Flynn, M. Kinsella, P. Cassin, T. Walsh, T. Allen, J. Cunningham, T. Byrne, P. O’Connor, D. Cronin, J. McKenna, J. Cody, J. Kinsella, M. Murphy, M. Doherty, P. Prout, B. Donnolly, Sgt T. Keenan.

Not in Photo: C. Connolly, F. Conroy, P. Duggan, P. Molloy, M. Muldowney, J. Mulvaney, J.O’Dwyer

14th apprentice Platoon 1969 - 1972Not in order as per photograph:

Aptces Brennan.T, Brennan.M, Burke.T, Burns.D, Cadogan.K, Cahill.B, Carney.P, Carroll.P, Cleere.J, Cody.J, Connolly.G, Cotter.J, Cox.W, Coyle.J, Coyne.R, Deasy.M, Devoy.M, Doyle.W, Dunne.E, Egan.C, Geoghegan.A, Halpin.T, Hickey.D, Hogan.P, Haughney.N,

Kavanagh.P, Keane.C, Kendrick.P, Luttrell.J, MacShamhrai.E, Malone.P, Martin.M, McCormack.T, McKenna.P, McSweeney.J, Murphy.J, Murray.J, Power.T, Power.A, Prendergast.P, Quinn.J, Ryan.T, Smith.D, Turner T, Walsh.P, Waters.J,

Civilian and Military Instructors are also included in this photograph.


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Back Row L-R D. Prendergast, J. Ryan, W. Fox, M. O'Dwyer, T. Wafer, M. Rasmussen, W. Donegan, K. Whitney, J. Doherty, P. O'Connell, J. White, M. Cotter, C. Dunlop, C. O'Regan. Row 3 L-R G. Heshin, T. Smyth, F. Larkin, W. Bolger, M. Aylsbury, C. Keating, M. Byrne,

P. Dillon, W. Barry, W. Dowling, M. Doran, D. Nyhan, P. Kearns, L. Wickham. Row 2 L-R B. O'Neill, R. Byrne, P. Hunt, J. Butler, M. Doyle, M. Byrne, M. Sweeney, B. Doyle, D. Shanahan, M. Keane, N. O'Keeffe, P. Cleary, J. McDonagh, A. Shine, P. O'Neill, E. McGowan, J. Finn,

Front Row L-R BQMS Everan, H. Scanlan, D. Daly, Sgt J. O'Neill, C/S D. Dawson, Capt J. Saunderson, Lt T. Keating, Lt Col J. Kilcullen, Comdt S. O'Connor, Sgt J. Eaton, Sgt B. Griffin, Sgt E. Griffin, P. Ryan, D. Brick, BSM D. Daly.


Seated L to R: Mr J.Kiernan, Mr J.Doggett, Mr P.Harkin, Mr P.Cahill, Mr J.Boylan, Mr B.'Brien, Mr J.McCarthy, Capt J.Saunderson, Comdt S.O'Connor, Lt Col J.Kilcullen, Lt. Ashe, BQMS J.Everan, Sgt M.Murphy, Mr P.Loughman, Mr D.Butler, Mr A.Shaughnessey, Mr M.O'Keeffe,

Sgt Eaton. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt D.Dawson, Cpls M.Middleton, J.Gorman, Aptces B.Egan, T.McAuliffe, P.Burke, J.Slattery, T.Reville, M.Kavanagh, P.Murray, D.Collins, C.Kelleher, W.Walsh, D.Byrne, J.Delaney, N.Byrne, T.Byrne, J.Burns, Sgt T.Keenan, Sgt B.Griffin.

3rd Row L to R: Aptces. D.Columb, M.Malone, J.Daly, A.Ahern, P.Dunne, E.Fagan, P.Edmonds, J.O'Grady, E.Burke, F.Hayes, P.Nolan, P.Norton, SWallace, R.O'Shea, T.Kelly, J.Cleary, G.Hayden, T.Rickard, M.Kelly. Back Row L to R: Aptces. T.Brennan, P.Dwyer, W.Dooley, P.Perry, S.White,

T.Coughlan, P.Connolly, T.Walsh, E.Doyle, E.McDonald, N.O’Reilly, G.Cunningham, M.Devane, J.Doyle


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Front: Aptces D. Lawless, L. Dunne, B. Branagan, P. Looby, J. Kelly, Sgt M. Shelly, RSM P. Hayes, Lt J. Cremin, Cpl D. Cahill, Aptces P. Cassidy, E. Loftus, P. Doody, P. Clear, T. Coughlin. Centre: Aptces C. Flynter, P. Cummins, H. Joy, M. Keating, J. Reid, M. Kelly, J. Parsons, O. Coleman, J.

Cowman, D. Aulsbury, W. O'Leary, W. Shine, J. O'Brien, G. Goff. Back: Aptces J. Brady, P. O'Neill, M. Reidy, A. Whelan, C. Greene, G. Murphy, W. Byrne, A. Butler, A. Ring, M. Doyle, T. Kelly, P. Looney, P. Fortune, T. Denver.


1st Row L to R: Sgt B.Griffin, Mr P.Harkin, Mr G.Kiernan, Mr M.Noone, Mr P.J.Loughman, Mr J.Doggett, Mr J.Boylan, Lt D.Carbery, Lt Col J.P.Connole, Comdt J.F.O'Connor, BQMS J.Everan, Mr C.Galvin, Mr A.O'Shaughnessey, Mr D.Butler, Mr P.O'Brien, Mr P.McCarthy,

Sgt D.Dawson, Sgt T.Keenan. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt T.Geoghegan, Aptces - R. Lawlor, P. Lynch, N. Mooney, B. Gallagher, J. Pender, M. McCarthy, J. Gahan, P. Murphy, J.Foran, F. O'Keeffe, D. Lenihan, D. McAuliffe, T. Cleary, P. Mulholland, J. Tobin, Cpl D.Cahill.3rd Row L to R: Aptces - J. Millea, D. Jones, A. Kenefick, T. Healy, J. Bolger, P. Corridan, J. Burke, P. Byrne, J. Leonard, T. Leslie,

W. Cullen, P. Wilson, C. O'Brien, S. Burke, J. Kearns, J. Deacon, Sgt E.Griffin. Back Row L to R: Aptces - E. Spratt, T. White, D. McDermott, M. O'Donoghue, W. O'Riordan, J. Walsh, J. O'Connor, M. Angland, J. Daly, M. Mann, M.

Murphy, P. Kehoe, J. Duggan, F. Dillon, C. Stricth, G. Prior.


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Aptces K. Bagge, F. Bertles, M. Bolger, J. Doyle, P. Brown, D. Burke, M. Byrne, T. Byrne, J. Cahill, S. Cahill, T. Carroll, P. Carroll, M. Carroll, R. Cashen, C. Charles, P. Cummins, K. Coyne, S. Crudden, J. Daly, J. Dillon, M. Edmonds, J. Flynn, J. Forsyth, J. Fylan, T. Galvin, A. Greene, J. Greensmyth, S. Griffin, R. Gurry, D. Halpin, F. Hayden, P. Houlihan, P. Jones, P. Judge, B. Kavanagh, N. Kelly, A. Kelly, M. Kenneally, K. Kennedy, M. Kennedy, M. Kerrigan, P. Kiernan, M. Kirby, T. Leahy, D. McCarthy, A. McKenna, M. McSweeney, F. Moran, J. Noonan,

G. O’Grady, A. Redmond, R. Ryan, P. Sheehan, E. Sisk, J. Smith, O. Smyth, P. Troy, R. Wilson.Civilian and Military Instructors are also included in this photograph.


Aptces, Balfe.C, Barkey.R, Birmingham.P, Brennan.S, Byrne.L, Byrne.D, Byrne.E, Byrne.M, Callinan.F, Carberry.P, Carpenter.G, Carr.A, Carroll.R, Carroll.J, Clarke.K, Coleman.J, Coughlan.M, Crean.E, Daly.J, Delaney.J, Devitt.B, Doyle.T, Dunne.K, Fitzgibbon.L Fleming.P, Grogan.P, Harte.

J, Haughney.K, Hegarty.D, Higgins.W, Howard.D, Hunt.G, Kelly.C, Kelly.J, Kelly.J, Kenny.C, Kinsella.R, Lyng.J, Maher.S, Mallen.K, McFadden.R, McKenzie.D, McManus.P, McSweeney.K, Mooney.J, Moore.B, Mulligan.E, MurphyW, Nolan.L, O'Donnell.J, O'Dowd.J,O'Leary.T, Ruane.M, Seoige. P,

Sheehan.P, Tiernan.B, Ward.P. Civilian and Military Instructors are also included in this photograph.


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Front Row L to R: Mr. Noone, Mr O’Brien, Mr. Kiernan, O’Shaughnessey, Lt. McGrath, Capt. Smith, Lt Col. Doolan, Comdt Barrett, Mr Harkin, Mr McCarthy, Mr Butler, Mr O’Keeffe, Mr Doggett. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt Hennessey, App: Cummins E, Cummins M, Murphy C, Doolan O, Keogh J,

O’Reilly N, O’Neill A, Concar I, Connolly D, Cassidy B, Norton F, Crowley J, McKivergan P, Coakley D. 3rd Row L to R: Cpl Hayes, App: McGovern J, McGuinness, O’Donnell J, Radley M, McLoughlin P, Cahill S, Curtayne T, Callaghan C, Finn L, Walsh W, Green, Barbour B, Brereton M, Sgt Brennan,

Cpl. Behan.4th Row L to R: App: Kearns, Hahessy P, O’Reilly G, Coffey P, McGrath, Lynam L, Hollywood P, O’Grady N, Mackey M, Nolan B, Bohanna T, Delmar P, Farry, Byrne J, O’Donoghue C. Not in picture: W Connery, S Curran, J Tomkins.


Aptces D. Aherne, J. Brady, P. Brady, J. Breheny, E. Brennan, T. Brennan, G. Brennan, M. Burchell, W. Burke, G. Collins, E. Conway, P. Dalton, A. Dillon, O. Doyle, J. Duffy, K. Duke, J. Foley, T. Griffin, C. Groome, E. Halpin, J. Halvey, J. Harrington, E. Healy,

P. Heffernan, D. Higgins, B. Kavanagh, M. Keane, J. Kearns, M. Kelly, B. Kelly, S. Keogh, P. King, G. Lawlor, T. Leslie, T. Luby, M. Lyons, J. Maguire, P. McDonald, D. McEvoy, S. McManus, B. Mulligan, P. Mulraney, D. Murphy, P. O’Brien, G. O’Brien, J. O’Connor,

J. O’Neill, J. Patterson, G. Quinlan, C. Reynolds, N. Rice, P. Rice, K. Scanlon, S. Slater, C. Smith, P. Tahemy, J. Walsh, T. Watson.Civilian and military instructors are also included in this photograph.


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1st Row L to R: Sgt D. Henry, N. Byrne, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. O’Connell, Mr. J. Boylan, C/S T. Kelly, Capt M. O’Farrell, Comdt J. O’Sullivan, Lt Col S. Doolan, RSM W. Gleeson, Mr. A. Shaughnessy, Mr. P. Harkin, Mr. M. Noone, Mr. R. O’Sullivan, Mr. B. O’Brien, Sgt B. Griffin. 2nd Row L to R: Aptces J. Rushe, J. Egan, G. Moffat, W. Hall, M. Houlihan, J. Holmes, J. Rothwell, W. Mason, M. French, P.J. Teehan, J. Power, J. Farragher, S. Lynch, G. Wade, P. O’Shea, T.

Wilson, Sgt J. Brady, B. Byrne, Sgt T. Geoghegan. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces P. Reid, P. Hennessey, M. Brothwood, A. Cooper, J. Geraghty, P. Burke, A. Smith, M. Deveraux, C. O’Gorman, P. McDonnell, H. Horgan, J. Curley, F. O’Brien, D. Grant. 4th Row L to R: Aptces P. Hanevy, T. Brosnan, S. Leavy, P. Davey, C.

Murphy, M. Hogan, J. Harkin, D. McDonald, B. McCallion, W. Kelly, B. O’Keeffe. Not in photo: S. Broderick, G.Buckley, R.Byrne, A.Corcoran, P.Donavan, B. Harte, N. Higgins, M. Keane, E. Kelly, F. Murphy,

F. O’Connor, D. O’Keeffe, M. O’Toole, J. Tobin.


Front Row L/R: Sgt Hennessy, Mr. O’Farrell, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Doggett, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. O’Sullivan, C/S Kelly, RSM Gleeson, Comdt O’Sullivan, Lt Col Doolan, Lt Cahill, Mr. Boylan, Mr. Galvin, Mr. Noone, Mr. Butler, Mr. O’Connell, Aptces - J. Coughlan, A. Murphy, Cpl Loughran, Cpl Mannix.

2nd Row L to R: Sgt Griffin, Aptces - D. Fleming, M. Burke, A. Cleary, L. Farrelley, R. Brown, F. O’Meara, T. McNulty, P. Smith, K. Mulhall, S. O’Connor, R. Walker, M. O’Donnell, G. McCabe, B. Doyle, M. Keegan, P.Houlihan, Cpl Hayes, Sgt Geoghegan. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces W. Maxwell, S. O’Callaghan, T.

Hayden, K. Travers, L. Harte, E. Nugent, J. Loughrey, M. Ryan, G. O’Connor, P. Arthur, J. Byrne, V. McInernery, T. Mahon, S. Rawson, T. Murray, J. O’Connor, D. Cormack, M Spain, P.Duffy. 4th Row L to R: Aptces D. Greene, J. Dunne, J. O’Hara, T. O’Leary, A. Corcoran, K. O’Keeffe, K. O’Toole, D. Young, T.

Kenneally, J. McCarthy, R. McNally, D. Kelly, T. Keenan.


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Front Row L/R: Sgt Geoghegan, Capt Courtney, BSM Sludds, Mr. Butler, Mr. Farrell, Mr. O’Sullivan, Mr. Galvin, Mr. Boylan, Lt Col McCutchin, Lt Col Bergin, Capt Molloy, Lt McCall, Mr. O’Connell, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Harkin, Mr. O’Shaughnessey, Mr. Doggett, Lt Coyne, Sgt

Griffin.2nd Row L to R: Cpl Mannix, Sgt Gorman, Cpl Moore, Aptces - J. Higgins, J. Geraghty, P. Leahy, M. Wilson,T. O’Reilly, B. Dempsey, T. Doyle, E. Finnegan, M. Jackson, C. Wilkinson, M. Fanning, W. O’Halloran, M. Noonan, F. Murphy, J. Frain, Cpl Pearse, Sgt Brady. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces J. Christe, P. Breheny, M. Bateman, Egan, D. McEnery, E. Dwyer, D. Egan, D.Shanahan, Egan, F. Wrenne, P. Cooley, S. Haughton, A. Gale, P. Doyle, J. Kiely, J. McCallion, B. O’Keeffe, P. Lynch, A. Walsh. 4th Row L to R: Aptces C. Motherway, N. Lyons, V. Curtis, T. Lynan, D. Tyrrell, A. Geogh, W.

Whelan, T. Larkin, L. O’Hara, G. Fitzgerald, S. McGrane, B. Luby.


Front Row L/R: Sgt Brady J., Sgt Geoghegan T., RSM Sludds P., Capt M. O’Brien, Mr. V. O’Connell, Mr. P. McCarthy, Mr. N. O’Farrell, Mr. J. Boylan, Lt Col McCutcheon (OC School), Lt Col F. Mullowney (OC) Capt J. Molloy (Coy Comdr) Capt K. Brennan (Pl Comdr), Mr. C. Galvin, Mr. R. O’Sullivan, Mr. P. Harkins, Mr. T. O’Shaughnessey, Lt T. Coyne, BQ J. Fogarty, Sgt B. Griffin, Mr. M. Noonan.

2nd Row L to R: Mr. O’Brien, Sgt Mannix J., Aptces - Houlihan J., Bolger W., O’Donovan W., Guinnelly M., Scully M., Byrne M., Burke P., Kennedy J., Bolger J., Donnellan C., Rea D., Magill B., Balfe A., O’Keeffe P., Ruffley J., Glavin D., Grogan S., Delaney W., Sgt Loughran J.,

Mr. D. Butler.3rd Row L to R: Aptces Dalton F., Lynch W., Dwyer P., Byrne J., O’Donovan D., Cuddihy P., Devoy F., Kelly T., Blade J., Cummins M., Gowran P., Corry S., Magill D., O’Connell C., O’Dwyer M., Cpl Burke F. 4th Row L to R: Aptces Heenan P., Ryan M., McEnerny M., O’Grady W.,

Donoghue J., McCurtain M., Geraghty N., Gunning M., Moore L., Kearney J., Fitzmaurice J., English J.


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Front Row L/R: Mr. K. O’Connell, Mr. B. O’Brien, RSM P. Sludds, Capt M. O’Brien, Mr P. Harkin, Mr G. Galvin, Mr E. Farrell, Mr J. Boylan, Lt Col L. Conran (Chief Instr), Lt Col F.L. Mullowney (OC AAS), Capt J. Molloy (Coy Comdr), Capt B. McNally (Pl Comdr),

Mr A. O’Shaughnessy, Mr D. Butler, Mr R. O’Sullivan, Mr P. Cahill, Lt P. Graham, CS D. Henry, Mr J. Doggett, Mr M. Noone. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt J. Brady, Sgt T. Geoghegan, Aptces - T. Cogley, J. Ely, N. Ring, J. Osborne, J. Flannery, J. Cashman, P. McNicholas, J. O’Dwyer,

G. Donoghue, S. Dwan, D. O’Mahoney, V. Whitty, J. Leahy, J. Foley, S. Kennedy, F. Hanley, L. Bardsley, Sgt B. Griffin, Cpl D. Grant.3rd Row L to R: Cpl J. Danagher, Aptces - N. Kiely, O. McInerney, C. Coughlan, T. Kearney, F. Liston, A. Dobson, K. Byrne, D Moore,

T. Crowley, S. Murphy, P. Dunne, B. Harney, G. Wade, R. Morris, K. Grogan, P. Duane, M. Murphy. 4th Row L to R: Aptces M. Culleton, A. Irish, S. O’Hara, J. Goff, B. Harris, B. Comerford, K. Gould, D. Myers, P. Melaugh, R. O’ Heochaidh, M. O’Donovan, R. Dowd, P. Foley,

W. O’Brien, V. O’Neill, J. McDonnell, D. Cremin, D. Shiels. Back Row: Aptces - K. O’Brien, P. Frostrup, A. Shiel, M. Whelan, P. Sewell.


Front Row L/R: Mr Cahill, BSM Sludds, Mr Doggett, Mr McCarthy, Mr O’Brien, Mr Farrell, Mr Harkin, Lt Delaney, Lt Col Mullowney, Capt Herbert, Lt Graham, Mr O’Boyle, Mr Butler, Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr O’Sullivan, Mr Noone, CS Henry. 2nd Row L to R: Sgt Burke,

Sgt Loughran, Aptces - Byrne R., White R, Mullen P, Walsh M, Jennings T, McSweeney T, Foley D, McCormack J, Gould M, O’Hara W, Breheny P.3rd Row L to R: Sgt Brady, Aptces - Murray D, Kirby C, Neary S, McKenna K, Allen R, Dempsey P, O’Connor A, Nolan , Gahan S, Heffernan D,

Kenahan J, Burke E, Nolan, Kelly, O’Brien M, Sgt Mannix. 4th Row L to R: Aptces Kelly, Geary D, Carey M, Haugh P, Baxter P, Elliot M, Carroll P, McDonald, Glynn P, Ferguson J, Nolan, Mullins R, Coleman A, Mahon B, O’Connor, Costello T, Cpl Breen. Back Row: Aptces - Carolan S, Dolan B,

Hennessy T, Gillespie J, Burke E.


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Front Row L/R: Mr Doggett, Mr O’Brien, Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr O’Connell, Mr Galvin, Mr Harkin, Mr O’Farrell, CS Henry, Lt Fitzpatrick, Lt Col Mullowney, Capt Herbert, Lt Graham, Mr Noone, Mr Boylan, Mr O’Sullivan, Sgt Brady, Cpl Hayes, Cpl Breen, Sgt Loughran.

2nd Row L to R: Aptces Murray, Devine, Deighan, Naughton, Murphy, Hughes, Brown, Coffey, Harris, Power, Leeson, O’Connor, Fox, Russell, Stack, Halpin, Bates, Wilson, Elliott, Bowden. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces McCaffrey, Flannery, Horgan, Sheehan, McSweeney, McNicholas, O’Shea, Young,

Walsh, Lawton, Flanagan, Looney, Kennedy, Barker, O’Flaherty, Smith, Lane, Finn, McHugh, Doohan, Murphy.4th Row L to R: Aptces Loughnane, Kelly, White, Dorgan, O’Donnell, Haughey, Kennedy, Keane, Marron, McCarthy, O’Neill, Ruane, Donegan,

McNally, Enright, Horan.


Not in order as per photograph

Aptces - Begdon M., Boylan M., Burke N., Burns H., Burns H., Burns J., Clarke J., Coen J., Coleman A., Conway J., Creane J., Cummins F., Curran R., Cushen P., Deely T., Doherty J., Doyle S., Durcan P., Eustace J., Fanning N., Finn T., Fitzgerald J., Flaherty M., Foley J., Geraghty R., Glennon M., Greene J., Gunning B., Healy P., Hennigan M., Higgins K., Horgan C., Jones K., Keane J., Kelly D., Kenna J., Keogh G., Knowles T., Lydon

T., Maxwell N., McAuliffe B., McConnell E., McNamara S., Morrissey P., Mullen D., Mullins M., Nyland M., O’Brien I., O’Keeffe P., O’Reilly P., O’Riordan J., O’Shea L., Pender J., Reidy D., Riordan M., Russell G., Ryan W., Ryan D., Talbot M., Ward J.

Civilian & military instructors of the School are also included in this photograph


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Front Row L/R: Cpl Breen J., Lt Graham P., Mr Noone, Mr O’Brien, Mr Doggett, Mr O’Connell, Sgt Higgins B., Lt Col Birch G., Lt Col Mullowney F., Lt O’Neill H., CS Devane P., Mr Butler, Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr Galvin, Capt Coyne. 2nd Row L to R: Aptces Caffery J.,

Boothman J., O’Keeffe D., Maughan M., McHale B., McHugh A., Coady P., Dalton M., Crowley P., Madden E., Cpl Higgins L.3rd Row L to R: Aptces Coughlan W., Curan M., Traynor D., Curran B., McGovern C., Roe S., White T., Coughlan J., O’Brien A.

4th Row L to R: Aptces Hurley K., McCarthy D., Carey P., Butler A., O’Geran C., O’Connor D., Feeney P., Kidney P.


Front Row L/R: Mr O’Brien, Mr O’Sullivan, RSM Sludds, Mr Farrell, Mr Doggett, Lt Graham P., Capt Enright W., Lt Col Daly P., Lt Col Birch G., Mr Butler, Mr Galvin, Mr McCarthy, Mr Quirke, Mr Noone. 2nd Row L to R: CS Henry D., Cpl Breen J., PO Murran M., Aptces - Leahy A., Rock J., Tobin

B., Kehoe W., Keeney M., O’Shea N., Lewis J., Cleary N., Jones D., Hennessy T., O’Keeffe V., Eustace G., Doorey A., Roche J., Cpl Higgins L., Cpl Devereux M., Sgt Loughran J. 3rd Row L to R: Aptces McKeown A., McCarthy W., Glennon J., Madden E., Maher B.,

Carr M., Tallon P., Lloyd K., Kavanagh M., Boylan T., O’Mahony J., Hennessy J., Kearns S.


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Back Row: Aptces - Kissane G., Harmond D., Daly M., Sheerin G., Frain F., Kelleher C., Whelan M., Claire S., Noonan M., Underhill M., Sheehan B., Kearney A., Byrne L., Walsh J., Hernon M., Kerrins J. 3rd Row: Aptces - O’Connell K., Sinnott F., McGroarty J., Dowling L., O’Reilly M., Quinn D.,

Doyle K., O’Callaghan A., Melaugh B., Hennessy P., Delaney R., Keaney J., Cullen M. 2nd Row: Sgt Higgins B., Cpl Jenkins M., Aptces - Carroll L., Breen P., Egan F., Hogan B., Horgan E., Keogh E., Sheridan J., Mahon S., Fernandes D., Clancy M., Smyth A.,

Quarney B., Slevin D., Sheedy M., Allen T., Coffey G., Flood F., Mackey M., Sgt Brady J., Cpl Devereux M. Seated: Mr O’Sullivan, Mr McCarthy, Mr O’Brien, Mr Noone, Mr Quirke, Mr O’Connell, Mr Farrell, Lt Col Hayes, Comdt Coffey, Lt Graham, Lt Lane,

Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr Galvin, Mr Butler, Mr Doggett, CS Henry.


Front: Sgt B. Higgins, Cpl P. O’Callaghan, Mr M. Noone, Mr F. O’Connell, Mr B. O’Brien, Sgt B. Griffin, Mr E. Farrell, Mr J. Boylan, Lt Col C. Cunningham, Lt Col W. Hayes, Comdt A. Coffey, Lt S. Ryan Mr A. O’Shaughnessy, Mr R. O’Sullivan, Mr J. Doggett, Mr P. McCarthy, Cpl L. Higgins. Middle: Aptces - B. Horan, J. Donnelly, P. Rodgers, P. Goldrick, J. Meagher, D. McAuley, D. Kinsella, K. Redmond, B. Hurley, B. Murphy, D. McCormack, N. Griffin, E. Wilson, P. Bates, D. Cronin, T. O’Doherty, CS Henry. Back: Aptces - D. Purdy, M. Wall, J. Murphy, P. Gilmore, S. Boyle, D. McGrath, C. Fletcher, P. Lenehan, L. Russell, I. Hutchinson, P. McGrath, E. O’Regan, C. Manion, J. Halpin, P. O’Leary, E. Gibbons, D. McMenamin, D.

Kennedy, J. Healy, L. Murphy, G. Prendergast, B. Abernethy, D. McGrath, D. Ging, G. Guinan, J. Brady, M. O’Connell, A. McDonagh, F. Lawlor, B. Kelly, M. Gilfoyle, R. Kelleher, P. Nolan, M. McCarthy, E. Gallahue.


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Not in order as per photograph

Aptces - Bolger J., Bradshaw W., Brazil J., Breen M., Brereton L., Burke V., Burke M., Carr S., Cleary R., Cleary J., Cole M., Conroy D., Culleton R., Devaney A., Devereux P., Dolan D., Dunne C., Egan J., Flynn G., Folan M., Forde C., Holt J., Humphries J., Jinks C., Kearns T., Kelly W., Kelly W.,

Kevany J., Leahy D., Lodge B., Lynch D., Malone M., Martin C., Martin P., Mayock J., McCrory T., McDonnell S., McGarr C., McKeown R., Moore S., Mulholland S., Murphy M., Noons F., O’Callaghan C., O’Dowd J., O’Leary B., O’Leary S., O’Neill K., O’Reilly

M., O’Connell K., Ryan D., Staunton B., Taaffe D., Vaughan S., Walsh C., White B.Civilian & military instructors of the School are also included in this photograph


Front: Mr. P. McCarthy, B. O’Brien, J. Boylan, K.Martin, N. Farrell, F. O’Connell, M. Noone, Comdt M.Kavanagh, Lt Col J. Vize, Capt T.Casey, Sgt Maj McDonagh, Mr C. Galvin, D. Butler, L. Quirke, J. Doggett, CS D. Henry, 2nd Row: Sgt Murran, Aptces - Burke L., Meagher D., Tobin P., Kane C., Lynch M., Hayes B., Maloney P., Tuohy T., Smith D., Murray V., Tieran R., Davis E., Cummins J., O’Meara A., Cpl Higgins L., Cpl Lynch L. 3rd Row: Aptces - McCoy P., O’Connor P., Wall P., Hayes A., O’Connor B., Fletcher M., Burke A., White J., Vivash A., Moloney G., Buckley G., Jordan E., Walsh A. Back: Aptces - O’Mahony O., Taylor R., Byrne G., Mullins A., O’Hanrahan D., Deasy J., Coyne M., Hayles B., McCarthy M., Scott S., O’Connor E.,

Molloy N., Colclough M., McCabe S. (Not included - A. O’Donovan, D. O’Brien, R. Donoghue, D. Pardy {35 Pl}, W. Moran)


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Back Row (L to R): Aptces - Scully M., Kavanagh N., Byrne D., Griffin M., Devaney N., Walshe T., Cummins G., Clancy N., Hyland S., Fitzgerald T., Bookle M., Sullivan M., Lynch B., Mohally B. Middle Row (L to R): Cpl Higgins L., Cpl Lynch L., Aptces - Slattery T., Smith J., Jennings M., Maher

B., Lee K., Halpin J., Wade P., Mitchell E., Naughton D., Flood M., Ryan A., McConnologue J., Kavanagh J., Leonard J., O’Gorman B., Duane P., O’Riordan M., Cpl Fulham N. Front Row (L to R): Mr O’Connell F., Mr Doggett J., Mr Farrell N., Mr O’Brien M., Mr Quirke L., RSM McDonagh J., Comdt Minogue N. (Coy Comdr), Lt Col Whelan C.A. (Officer Commanding),

2/Lt Kelly P. (Pl Comdr), Mr O’Shaughnessy T., Mr Galvin C., Mr O’Sullivan R., Mr Butler D., Sgt Loughran J. (Pl Sgt), CS Henry D. (Coy Sgt)


Front Row: Mr O’Connell, McCarthy, O’Brien, Farrell, Quirke, Martin, Lt Col Donagh, Lt Col Whelan, Sgt Maj Mc Donagh, Mr Noone, Boylan, Butler, O’Sullivan, Doggett. Front: Sgt Pearse M., Sgt Griffin B., Aptces - Mohally D., McGhee J., Brennan W., McHugh N., Marshall N., Moran A., O’Donnell P., Hennessy J., Stapleton L., Laffan G., Kearns B., O’Leary G., O’Sullivan F., Sweeney K., Cpl Higgins L., A/RSM Henry D. Middle: Sgt Brady J., Aptces - Kilbride M., McKenna R., Fox B., Roche T., Dorrian M., Chapman G., Tracey J., McCarthy A., Walsh W., Cregan P., McManus R.,

Clancy E., McAuliffe P. Back: Aptces - Neville O., O’Meara D., O’Riordan M., Kidney L., O’Sullivan J., Byrne A., Prout K.


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Front Row: Capt O’Donaghue S., Mr J. Doggett, Mr P. McCarthy, Mr L. Quirke, Mr E. Farrell, Mr F. O’Connell, Capt A. Casey, Comdt T. O’Brien (Chief Instructor), Lt Col A. Whelan (OC AAS), Comdt N. Minogue (Coy Comdr), 2/Lt B. Walsh (Pl Comdr),

Mr A. O’Shaughnessy, Mr B. O’Brien, Mr D. Butler, Mr R. O’Sullivan, Mr J. Boylan, Mr M. Noone. Middle Row: Cpl J. Higgins, Cpl L. Lynch, Aptces - Cashman, O’Donnell, Smith, Holohan, Hassett, Griffin, Maher, Keane, McCoy, Smyth, Kane, Mahon, Kehoe, Halligan, Walsh, Burnett, Cpl J. Kennedy, Cpl N. Fulham. Back Row: CS D. Henry, Sgt B. Griffin, Sgt M. Murran, Aptces - Clancy, O’Cathain, Clarke, Sexton, Connell, Greaney,

Downey, Furlong, McMahon, Rath, Fogarty, O’Neill, Lynch, Delaney, Murphy, Mullins.


Standing (L to R): CS Henry, Aptces - Keohane P., Kinirons L., Moore B., Davis B., Martin M., Gumley D., Coakley G., Keenan T., Daly N., Sheridan W., Tynan M., Cpl Fulham N. Seated (L to R): Cpl Lynch L., Sgt Griffin B., Mr Noone, Mr Doggett, Mr Galvin, Mr Quirke,

Capt Kelleher, Lt Col Donagh, Comdt Ryan, Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr O’Sullivan, Mr Butler, Mr McCarthy, Mr O’Connell, Cpl Kennedy.


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Back: Aptces - Harrington I., Doyle C., Gallagher D., Syron A., O’Donnell A.Middle: Aptces - McKenna K., Crowley J., Maguire P., Sherlock S., Commons A., Moynihan R., McKenna C.

Front: Aptces - Laffan D., O’Loughlin K., Capt C. Kelleher, Lt Col D.M. Donagh, Cpl D. Shelly, Aptces - Deegan M., Lawler J.


1st row L to R: RSM W. Redmond, Aptce R Sidley, Lt Col J. Roche, Comdt M. Moore, Mr A. O’Shaugnessy, 2nd Row L to R: Sgt B. Griffin, Aptces A. Murphy, M. Hourihan, L. Mahon, P. Tighe, Cpl W. Higgins

3rd Row L to R: Aptces S. Maguire, B. Reid, D. Maher, S. McManus


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An Aerial view of Devoy Bks 1974


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Army Apprentices at work

The Early Years


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Aerial Views of

Devoy Barracks

1967

Documents

Closing of Irish Army Apprentice School