News 2013.

FCA Mass 2013

The annual Mass for deceased members of the 19th Infantry Bn FCA was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate conception, Ballymote on last Sunday,17th November 2013. Coy Pennants and flags were on display. Readings were done and members did the Eucharistic Salute. After the Mass the large crowd adjourned to Pat Ward's Pub in Keash for lovely tea, soup and sandwiches. This was a beautiful event.

FCA Gathering in Boyle.

The 19th Infantry Battalion FCA Association is making final arrangements for an FCA Gathering. The event will take place on Sunday 4th August at 7.30p.m. in the former A Coy HQ Boyle. This is at the rear of the Garda Station.

It will commence with a meet and greet at 7.30p.m. on the parade ground. Those attending can then go and look at displays of old photos etc. The photos on display on six stands represent Bn HQ and the five former companies of the 19th Bn. In addition to the photos there will be much more on display including roll books, uniforms, and various other items which we hope will remind visitors of their time in the FCA. The evening will conclude with refreshments.

We welcome especially all former members of A Coy (Boyle) and E Coy (Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen) of the 19th Bn, both FCA and PDF and their families, particularly those home on holidays to the function. Visitors and members of the public with no FCA experience are also very welcome and admission is free.

FCA Gathering in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The FCA Gathering in Carrick-on-Shannon will take place at 7p.m. in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Full details will appear in next week’s Leitrim Observer. All are welcome.

Guard of Honour

This FCA Guard of Honour was made up of personnel from A Coy 19th Infantry Battalion, Boyle. The Bishop in the picture was Bishop Vincent Hanly, Bishop of Elphin and the officer in charge was Lt. Jim Nolan. The picture was taken almost fifty years ago in Cootehall.

Pictured at an FCA social event in the Royal Hotel, Boyle almost fifty years ago were:-
Front row left to right:- D. Davitt, G. McMahon, (later became Chief of Staff) and M. Kennedy.
Second row l-r:- E. Doherty, D. O’Neill, G. Tiernan and B. Tivnan.
Third row l-r:- M. Byrne, J. McLoughlin, B. Feely, E. Kennedy, T. Browne and D. Scanlon.
Fourth row l-r:- W. Devine, P. Downes and T. Kelly.
Back row l-r:- B. Dockery, J. Ballantyne, N. Lyons, J. McSherra and S. Flynn.

This room looks a bit chaotic now but we are confident that it will look great for the Gathering.

Heritage Parade, Carrick-on-Shannon, 30th June 2013

Pictured with the Association Banner in Carrick-on-Shannon at the Heritage Parade on 30th June 2013 are P. Brady, G. Ryan, S. Flynn and F. Geelan.

The Gathering 2013

The Association is organising two events for The Gathering.

Both events will follow the same format starting with a meet and greet at 8p.m. Those attending can then go and look at displays of old photos etc. Both evenings will conclude with refreshments. We welcome especially all former members of the 19 Infantry Battalion particularly those home on holidays. More details on both events will follow later here and on our Facebook Page. Please publicise the events in whatever way you can.

These two pictures were taken in Dunree and the officer pictured in front is J. C. Nolan.

Day Tour to Ulster American Folk Park and Enniskillen

The tour to the Ulster American Folk Park on Thursday 6th June 2013 was a most enjoyable and friendly event. Almost seventy people travelled and the feedback was very positive. The event was blessed with fine weather and the lovely meal in the Killyhevlin Hotel on the homeward journey was enjoyed by everyone. Congratulations to the 8 winners of the 200 Euro in prizemoney. The accompaning pictures show some of those who travelled.

19th Infantry Battalion FCA Association - 5th Annual General Meeting

This meeting was held on Friday night 18th January 2013 in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. There was a very good attendance and all companies were represented.

The following officers and committee were elected for the year.

President: - Francie Geelan.
Chairman: - Pearse Brady.
General Secretary and PRO: - John Barden.
Minutes Recording Secretary: - Seamus O’Donnell.
Treasurers: - Bertie Moran and Micheal Brennan.

The following members were selected to represent the five companies and the PDF.

A Coy: - Liam McDermott and Seamus Flynn.
B Coy: - John Burke and Pat Casey.
C Coy: - Jim Gormley and Gerry Mattimoe.
D Coy: - Tom Heraghty and Sean Keaney.
E Coy: - Niall McGarry. The committee would like someone from the E Coy area to join Niall as a representative.
PDF: - Eddie Doherty and Denis Flynn.

The meeting decided unanimously to become involved in The Gathering on 2nd August in Carrick, 3rd August in Ballymote and 4th August in Boyle.

The meeting decided to cost a visit to the Ulster American Folk Museum at Omagh in May/June 2013 as the annual summer outing.

The annual Mass for deceased members will be celebrated in Ballymote on Sunday 17th November 2013 at 11.30am.

Members are reminded that membership subscriptions are due. Membership covers the calendar year and is 10 euro for 2013. They can be paid to the treasurers or any of the Coy reps. New members are always welcome.

Votes of sympathy were extended to the families of Sean Taheny, Gurteen and John Scanlon, Boyle.

May they both rest in peace.

A very nice social evening followed.

Annual General Meeting and Social 2013

The annual general meeting of the 19th Infantry Bn Association will be held in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday night 18th January 2013 at 8pm.

The meeting will be followed by the annual social night at 9pm. The committee is anxious that former members of the Bn make a special effort to attend both events. New members are always welcome. The AGM affords members an opportunity to air their views. The social part of the evening has always been enjoyable and gives attendees the chance to reminisce.

The association hopes to be involved in The Gathering on 2nd, 3rd and 4th August 2013. Lots of help will be required to help contact overseas members. This will be discussed at the AGM.