Welcome to the 19 Infantry Battalion F.C.A. Association. Our Association was inaugurated on 11th June 2008 and officially launched by Lt. Gen. Jim Shreenan ( Retired ) on Sunday 27th September 2009 in Boyle. The Association consists of F.C.A. & P.D.F. members of the former 19 Infantry Battalion. The aim of the Association is for members of the former Battalion to keep in contact with each other.

Latest News/Events

FCA Annual Mass

The annual Mass for deceased members of the former 19th Infantry Battalion FCA will be celebrated on Sunday 17th November 2019 at 12 noon in St Patrick's Church, Castlerea.

All former members and friends of the 19th Bn are invited to attend.

Commemoration Ceremony in Boyle - 29th September 2019

The 19th Infantry Battalion FCA Association held a commemorative ceremony in Boyle Military Post on Sunday 29th September to commemorate the centenary of the war of Independence, the 60th Anniversary of the inception of the 19th Bn in Boyle on 1st October 1959 and its stand-down on 30th September 2005 and the 10th Anniversary of the formation of the Association.

A Parade of members of the Association under command of Comdt (retd) Pat Casey, was brought to attention as the National Flag was saluted by a Flag Party under Capt James Gannon. A commemorative plaque erected beside the main door of the Barracks was unveiled by Association President (and former O/C 19 Bn) Comdt (retd) John Burke, who then spoke briefly before the National Flag was lowered to half-mast, and a wreath was laid by Association Chairman Bertie Moran, formerly of B Coy. The Last Post was played, the National Flag was raised to full mast for the Reveille and the military part of the ceremony was concluded with the playing of the National Anthem. All present were then invited into King House for short talks on the history of the 19th Bn.

Association Chairman Bertie Moran presided over the this part of the proceedings and Pearse Brady gave the historical background, covering the formation of Dail Eireann after the 1919 General Election and the outbreak of the War of Independence, the formation in 1929 of the first Voluntary Units of the Army and their subsequent expansion throughout the country during the 1930s, the setting up of the LDF and LSF during the Emergency and transition to An Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil in 1946 and the subsequent history of the FCA until it was succeeded by Cultaca an Airm (the RDF) in October 2005. Pearse's lecture was followed by former O/C John Burke on the history of the 19th Battalion from 1959 until 2005, and then Association Membership Secretary Frank Geelan (former BSM) spoke of the background to the founding of the 19th Infantry Battalion FCA Association in 2009 , its aims and objectives, and its development and achievements over the past 10 years.

Bertie thanked all who partook in the parade and lectures and who contributed in any way to the success of the day.

The large turnout of members, their wives, partners and friends was then entertained to refreshments, provided by the staff of the Restaurant at King House.

The Association wishes to record sincere thanks to former O/C 6thBn, Lt Col Dwyer and his successor, Lt Col Bates, for approval to use of Boyle Military Post and to Comdt John Moody and his staff in 6th Bn for their co-operation. A special word of thanks to the Regular Cadre in Boyle, Cqms Ganley, Sgt Peadar Mc Garry, and ptes Padraig Sheridan and Joe Rushe for all their assistance.

Farmleigh House and Áras an Uachtaráin, 30th August 2019





Members of the 19th. Inf. Bn. FCA Association and friends visited Farmleigh House and Áras an Uachtaráin on Friday 30th August 2019. In the Aras after refreshments they were greeted by President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina. The Association President, John Burke spoke and presented the President with an Association plaque. The president replied thanking them for their attendance and in particular their long service to the state. They were then given a guided tour of the the Áras and grounds. This was a most enjoyable outing.

Annual Tour, 26th June 2019.



Members of the 19 Bn Association and friends pictured at Dublin Castle on their Annual tour on Wednesday 26th June 2019.

90th Anniversary of the Reserve Defence Forces



Our Association was represented at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Bks, Dublin on Tuesday 16th April 2019 at the Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the foundation of the Reserve Defence Forces.

Sligo St Patrick's Day Parade 2019



19 Bn Association Flag Party pose for a photo with the RDF Colour Party from 28 Bn Finner Camp before taking part in the Sligo St Patrick's Day Parade 2019.

2019 Newsletter.

For the full newletter including contact details of reps and items for sale please click the link here for the 2019 Newsletter.

The 19th. Infantry Battalion ( FCA ) came into being in 1959 as part of the integration of An Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil units with the Permanent Defence Force. The Battalion area covered most of Counties Leitrim and Sligo with parts of North Roscommon and West Cavan. The Battalion Headquarters was set up in Boyle, with A Company in Boyle, B Company in Carrick On Shannon, C Company in Ballymote, D Company in Manorhamilton and E Company in Castlerea. Over 12,000 personnel served in the 19th. Battalion between 1959 and it’s standing down in 2005, including 2 recruits who later joined the PDF as cadets and rose to become Chief of Staff, another future Chief of Staff served with the Battalion as a PDF Training Officer. Many other recruits joined the PDF, some achieved cadetships and went on to distinguished careers in Oglaig na h-Eireann.

In 2008, the 19th. Infantry Battalion FCA Association was established with the objective of facilitating members of the former 19th. Battalion to keep in touch with each other. It is a democratic, non political, non sectarian organisation with an Annual General Meeting at which all paid up members may attend and vote.

We arrange an Annual Mass for our deceased comrades ; an annual Dinner for all members and their partners ; an annual Tour, normally to a military establishment or museum, and various other events rotating around the former Company areas.

Our Mission also includes the collection and preservation of flags, pennants, photographs, newspaper articles and other memorabilia relevant to the history of the 19th. Bn. And with this in mind, we have established a Museum situated in our former HQ at Boyle Military Post. We have a special interest in contacting former members of the 19th. Bn. and hearing their experiences and reminiscences of their time in the FCA and introducing them to the benefits of membership of our Association.

As 2019 is the 60th. Anniversary of the raising of the 19th. Inf. Bn. FCA and the 10th. Anniversary of our Association, we are now launching a campaign to increase our membership, which presently stands at over 100, we hereby invite any person who served at any time between 1959 and 2005, to now join the ranks of our Association. Overleaf you will find the names, mobile or landline numbers of our current Committee, any one of whom will be delighted to talk to you about our Association. We have also included a membership application form which can be completed and returned to our Membership Secretary,
former Bn. Sgt. Major - Francie Geelan,
No. 9 Hanly Avenue,
Boyle,
Co. Roscommon.

If you are a former member of the Association, who for one reason or another has allowed your membership to lapse, we will be doubly delighted to welcome you back, and in particular, we would like to hear from former members who feel that they have lost touch with us, perhaps because of their location, or a change in local Company Representative. At present we are endeavouring to improve our communication with all members therefore all suggestions for improvements will be most welcome and appreciated.


Full version of the 2019 Newsletter

Dates For Your Diary

Sunday - 17th. March 2019 : St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Sligo.
Contact Pat Casey @ 086 - 2547568 if you are available to attend.

Wednesday - 26th. June 2019 : Annual Association Tour. Contact your Coy. Rep. for further update.

Sunday - 29th. September 2019 : 50th. Anniversary of 19th. Battalion and 10th. Anniversary of Association Ceremonial celebrations in Boyle. Further details later.

Sunday - 17th. November 2019 : Annual Mass for deceased members of 19th. Battalion at 12 noon in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea. Refreshments afterwards.

Friday - 31st. January 2020 : Annual General Meeting and Annual Social, Boyle.

2019 President of the 19 Infantry Battalion F.C.A. Association.



The incoming president for 2019 John Burke is congratulated by outgoing president Pat Casey.

19th Bn Officers and Committee for 2019

The following officers and committee were elected at the AGM for the year 2019.
The meeting was held in Cawley’s Hotel, Tubbercurry on Friday 25th January 2019.

The following officers and committee were elected at the AGM for the year 2019.

President:-John Burke.
Chairman:-Bertie Moran.

General Secretary:-Sean Kielty.
Minutes Secretary:-Seamus O’Donnell.
Treasurer:-Pat Conroy.
Membership Secretary:-Francie Geelan.


The Company Representatives elected were:-
A Coy:-Seamus Flynn and Dermot Davitt.
B Coy:-Pat Casey and John Burke.
C Coy:-Jerry Ryan and Pearse Brady.
D Coy:-Tom Heraghty and Sean Keaney.
E Coy:-Niall McGarry and John Mangan.
PDF:-Bertie Moran and Tommy O’Connor.
The AGM was followed by dinner for members and their friends.

Christmas and New Year's Wishes

The President, Chairman and Committee wish all members of the Association and all those who served with the 19th Infantry Battalion together with their families a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with peace and happiness.

AGM and Annual Social, Friday 25th January 2019.

The AGM (at 7pm) and ANNUAL SOCIAL (at 8.30pm) will be held in the Cawley's Hotel Tubbercurry on Friday 25th January 2019. Tickets €25.

New Association rain jackets with crest on sale at the meeting at a cost of €40.
Members are reminded that membership fees fall due on 1st January 2019. It would be great if they were paid before the AGM. The Association is grateful to all members for their continued support in this matter.

FCA Annual Mass, Sunday 11th November 2018

The annual Mass for deceased members of the former 19th Infantry Battalion FCA will be celebrated on Sunday 11th November 2018 at 11.30 am. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Ballymote. All former members and friends of the Bn are invited to attend.

10th Anniversary of The Peace Park,Castlebar,7th October 2018

The 10th Anniversary of the Opening of The Peace Park in Castlebar took place on the 7th of October 2018. There were a number of Veteran's Organizations represented on the day including U.N.V.A, O.N.E and the 19th Inf Bn FCA Association. The C.O.S Vice Admiral Mark Mellett a native of Castlebar was also in attendance.







28th Bn Association Day, Finner Camp.

A nice number of 19th Bn FCA Association members attended the 28th Bn Association day in Finner Camp on last Friday 7th September 2018. The day included presentations, Mass for deceased members, weapons and equipment displays and lunch. This was a very enjoyable day.















2018 News/Events >>>