Shamrock presentations to Royal Irish Regiment in Newtownabbey

The Royal Irish Regiment’s 2nd Battalion have received shamrock from the Lord Lieutenant for Antrim Mrs Joan Christie in Newtownabbey.
Royal Irish Regiment soldiers receive shamrock from Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Mrs Joan Christie. INNT-11-700-conRoyal Irish Regiment soldiers receive shamrock from Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Mrs Joan Christie. INNT-11-700-con
Royal Irish Regiment soldiers receive shamrock from Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Mrs Joan Christie. INNT-11-700-con

The presentation took place at the soldiers’ base in Abbots Croft.

Last weekend, Irish soldiers across Northern Ireland and England were on parade to receive their Shamrock in time for the annual celebrations.

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Presentations took place in Enniskillen, Newtownabbey, Lisburn, Belfast and Ternhill in Shropshire.

The Royal Irish Regiment have also been on parade to receive their shamrock at ceremonies in Thiepval.

Queen Victoria decreed that because of their valour at Ladysmith and the Boer War, Irish soldiers should wear Shamrock for Saint Patrick’s Day as a mark of honour.

At Enniskillen, where recruitment is underway to increase the size of the 2nd Battalion assault pioneer platoon, the Lord Lieutenant for Fermanagh Lord Brookeborough presented clusters of shamrock after to officers and soldiers as well as to local veterans.

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At Ternhill in Shropshire, the presentation of shamrock provided a slight break in a heavy training schedule as the battalion re-roles to light mobility concept with new Foxhound vehicles.

The battalion will shortly move to Germany to exercise this role alongside the US Army.

In the Autumn, one Royal Irish Regiment will be in Spain on a large multi-national exercise.