Gerard P. Craughwell on the Untold Museum and Irish military service
Gerard P. Craughwell speaks in Seanad about his visit to the Untold Museum in Belfast, highlighting 350 years of Irish military history and the stories of soldiers from across Ireland. He recalls regimental histories, the service of Irish men and women in major conflicts, and a lighthearted whistle anecdote that underscored the resonance of those stories.
Museum testimony and military history
Gerard P. Craughwell praises the Untold Museum in Belfast as a repository of 350 years of Irish military history. He emphasises that the museum presents stories from every regiment raised in Ireland, from the Connacht Rangers and Royal Ulster Rifles to the Munster Fusiliers and Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers. Craughwell encourages colleagues and the public to visit and hear firsthand accounts from curators and veterans like Andy Hart.
Service across conflicts and personal reflection
Craughwell reflects on the continuity of Irish service from the First World War through Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan, and notes remarks from Colm Weir, the Colonel of the Royal Irish. Speaking as a former member of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Irish Defence Forces, he says he felt extreme pride attending Westminster and seeing these stories recognised. He also recounts a brief episode when Andy Hart brought a whistle into the House to tell its story, illustrating how personal artefacts animate military memory.
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It was to do with the Untold Museum in Belfast. The Untold Museum is an incredible place. I know there are lots of misgivings about Irish people who served in the British forces and served with pride as I did myself, but the Untold Museum hosts 350 years of Irish military history and it's an incredible place to visit because you're hearing the stories not of people of the Northern Irish community, the Unionist community, you'll hear the stories of the 6th Battalion, the Connacht Rangers, that was raised in West Belfast. Why was it raised in West Belfast? Because the Catholics would not serve under Carson. You have the Royal Ulster Rifles who were the Unionist side, you have the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers, but you also have the Munster Fusiliers. You have the history of every military regiment that was ever raised in Ireland. And the proud Irish military, Andy Hart, who's one of the people you meet in the Untold, and I hope Coghairlach, given your interest in cross-border issues, that you will visit the Untold. Because one of the key things Andy talks about, soldiers who joined the forces from the Republic and from Northern Ireland were held in high esteem, whereas soldiers who joined in England, Scotland and Wales were regarded as vagabonds. And why? The Irish had better teeth, were taller and were healthier people. We have fought in every major battle. And yesterday, Colm Weir, the Colonel of the Royal Irish, was speaking about how history has moved on from the First World War, through the Second World War, through Korea, to Iraq, Afghanistan. Irish men and Irish women have served in every one of those wars. And I have to say, I was extremely proud to be in Westminster yesterday, not just as a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas, but as a former member of the Royal Irish Rangers and as a former member of the Irish Defence Forces. And I would encourage members to go and see what's in the museum. It was incredible. Andy Hart will pick up an artefact and look at it and tell you the story behind it. Yesterday, he caused a bit of consternation at the Houses of Westminster when he brought a whistle into the House. He just wanted to tell the story behind the whistle. But one of the items banned from the House of Parliament is a whistle. So you might travel there yourself, Coir, and have a look at the place. I certainly won't bring a whistle now, thanks for the hint, Andy.
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