Updated: 23 April, 2006
Ireland
Medals of Ireland (Medal Society of Ireland)
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Features Irish medals from the Easter 1916 Rising, 1919-21 Irish War of Independence and 1939-46 Emergency period with text and images. (Mar 03)
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Irish Medals (Paul's Militaria))
The Military Star - The Military Star is awarded posthumously to members of the Defence Forces killed in hostile circumstances while on military service overseas. The awards of the Military Star are made on the recommendation of a Military Medals Board convened by the Chief of Staff. At a ceremony in Collins Barracks, Dublin on 08 November 1998, a total of thirty-six Military Stars were presented by the Minister for Defence, to the next-of-kin personnel killed in hostilities in the Congo and the Middle East. The Military Star is in the shape of an eight-pointed star, which resembles the Defence Forces Cap Badge - common to all Services in the Defence Forces. The figure in the centre is Cú Chulainn - this symbolises the warrior who is killed in action or dies from his wounds. A Laural Wreath to commemorate the dead surrounds the central figure of Cú Chulainn. The ribbon colours are black and purple - traditionally associated with the dead and mourning - with the Irish National Colours in the centre. The ribbon is held in place by a suspension bar with the word 'Remembrance' inscribed on it. The Service Number, Name, Date of Death of the deceased and Mission Area are engraved on the back of the Star. (Ref: John McMeekin)
Tipperary Medal Heroes & Heroine (List of VC winners and WWI awards) (The Irish in Uniform)
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Queen
Honours Quinn Former Irish international soccer striker
Niall Quinn is to receive an honorary MBE. The award is being made by
the Queen in recognition of Quinn's '' outstanding services to
international football and his contributions to United Kingdom
charities''. Honorary awards are presented on merit to non-British
citizens by the Queen on the advice of the Foreign Office for important
contributions to British interests. icNorthern
Ireland, UK - 12 Aug 2003 |
Long Service Medal (Garda Siochana) - This medal was established in 1972 and is awarded for 22 years of exemplary conduct.
Long Service Medal (Garda Siochana) - This medal was established in 1972 and is awarded for 22 years of exemplary conduct.
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Keane named Limerick chief superintendent A former recipient of a Scott Medal for bravery has been appointed to the most senior Garda position in Limerick. Willie Keane will take over the role of Chief Superintendent of the Limerick Garda Division next month. He was awarded the Scott Medal for bravery in the 1980s when he risked his life to save a mother and child from a house fire while stationed in Co Kerry. breakingnews.iol.ie 17 Feb 05
Orders, Decorations, and Medals of Eire (Antiques A to Z)
Ireland (Northern) - Angry officers have handed back their police service medals after being blocked from taking early retirement in Northern Ireland, it was revealed today. RUC George Cross Service Medals and Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were given to Oversight Commissioner Tom Constantine. A senior Special Branch man and a long-serving uniformed officer both handed in their awards and lodged an official complaint during a meeting with Mr Constantine’s No 2 in Belfast on Monday. It is believed more of their colleagues plan similar protests. (Dec 02)
Mitchell proposes presidential medal of recognition for Irish Emigrants Fine Gael Foreign Affairs Spokesman Gay Mitchell TD has launched a Bill that proposes the establishment of a new Presidential awards scheme to recognise the achievements of Irish people living abroad, with a special presentation of medals on St Patrick’s Day. “The Irish Emigrants Recognition Bill 2004 would set up an awards scheme to recognise the exceptional and distinguished achievements of Irish people living abroad. The President would present the Presidential Medal of Recognition to the winners every year, on or around St Patrick’s Day. politics.ie 16 Mar 04
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Order of Malta Lourdes Medal Image courtesy of Ger O'Connor |
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Order of Malta, St. John's Ambulance Brigade and the Irish Red Cross Special Olympics Medal (2003) Image courtesy of Ger O'Connor |
For Assisting to Stabilize Liberia: Irish Troops Awarded UN Medals The Irish Infantry Battalion, the Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) were awarded UN Medals for distinguished peacekeeping service at a medal presentation parade in Camp Clara, Monrovia. The Commander of the Irish Battalion, Brig. General Robert Fitzgerald, and UNMIL Chief of Staff said, "The Irish and Swedish QRF have rightly earned the reputation for professionalism during their tour of duty for their outstanding work in Liberia." The Irish are a part of the 'Quick Reaction Force' comprising three maneuver companies, which include a Swedish Mechanized Coy, and one Logistics/Administration Coy. The unit has 434 Irish soldiers and officers, including women, all of whom were decorated with UN medals. allafrica.com 27 Oct 04
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Civil Defence Special Olympics Medal 2003 The Civil Defence struck a Special Olympics Medal in November 2004 for members of the Civil Defence who participated in the running of the Special Olympics in Ireland in 2003. The medal was struck after been highlighted by Ger O’Connor medal collector to Mr. Brian Gillen Civil Defence Officer for County Westmeath, Ireland. The medal is issued unnamed. Ger O’Connor Nov 04
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Civil Defence Special Olympics Medal 2003 Medal presentation. Left to right, Brian Gillen CDO Westmeath, Mr Gerry Gervin Director General Civil Defence & BQMS Ger O'Connor 9 FAR{Hononary Medal} Ger O’Connor Dec 04 |
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Fire Brigade 20 Years Service Medal Gerry O'Connor Feb 05 |
Marine Awards 2004 47 Awards Presented to Selfless Rescuers by Irish Coast Guard.
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Civil Defence Service In Lourdes Medal Designed by Gerry O'Connor and Brian Gillen |
IRA
medal sparks PSNI row A
PSNI recruit who wore an old IRA medal at a passing out ceremony is under
pressure to explain himself. Unionists and
police representatives expressed disbelief that the officer was allowed to
have a medal, commemorating IRA members who fought British soldiers during
the 1917-21 campaign for independence, pinned to his chest during last
November's graduation ceremony. However nationalists defended the officer,
insisting he was entitled to do so. "We understand Deputy Chief
Constable Paul Leighton is investigating this matter but he must leave no
stone unturned.
"He must insist on the officer explaining his actions. We need to know
who authorised the wearing of the medal? What were the officer's intentions?
Was it naivety on his part or did he know what he was doing?" The medal
was issued in 1941 by the Irish Government to honour those who fought in the
battle for independence. The PSNI said its policy allowed officers whose
relatives had been honoured by any government to wear their medals at a
graduation ceremony. "It is an accepted tradition for an officer to
wear medals which have been awarded by a state to a close relative on the
right chest during appropriate ceremonies," the PSNI said. However, Mr
Spence said: "No officer should wear anything which glorifies any
paramilitary organisation from any decade whether it is loyalist or
republican, the UVF or the IRA in the 1920s, 40s, 60s or 90.
"By the logic of this statement you could have a recruit of German
origin wearing an Iron Cross to a graduation ceremony if his or her relative
was in the Waffen SS. "They could wear a medal glorifying Nazi
destruction and the massacre of millions of Jews during the Holocaust
because it was issued by a democratically elected government." examiner.ie
7 Jan 06
Heartless thieves steal medal collection while family mourned Antique dealers and collectors have been asked to be on the lookout for a collection of old Irish medals which were stolen from a Graignamanagh home last week while they owners were away mourning the death of a close relative. The collection of IRA medals and others from the 1930s and 1940s was stolen from a safe after heartless thieves used a sledgehammer to vandalise the house owned by Stephen and Mary Quinn at Barrow Heights. Anyone who has any information on the medals is asked to contact Stephen Quinn at 059 9724808. killennyadvertiser.ie 4 Apr 06
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