The Irish Guards are completing a homecoming programme in Northern Ireland over this coming weekend with events in Belfast, Newtownards and Castlereagh. “The Micks” as they are known in the armed services were formed with the support and approval of Queen Victoria in recognition of the service and sacrifice of Irish soldiers in the Boer War.
The customary 10.00 a.m. service of Holy Communion tin St Anne’s, Belfast is being brought forward to 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 9th October 2011 when the Cathedral community is to be joined by the Irish Guards. The themes of thanksgiving for homecoming from Afghanistan and for services rendered, as well as a commemoration of the sacrifice given over more than a hundred years will be observed in the liturgy. There is a permanent memorial to this in ambulatory in the Cathedral to the Irish Guards.
Taking part in the services in Belfast and Newtawnards will be the Commanding Officer, various members of the regiment and the Rev Andrew Totten, a Deputy-Assistant Chaplain General who was ordained in the Church of Ireland and who served as the senior chaplain in Afghanstan.
The regiment which recruits from all parts of Ireland, the UK and the Commonwealth has a plume which is St Patrick’s blue and based on that of the Order of St Patrick. The former members of the regiment include the late Captain Terence O’Neil, the late Captain Bill Henderson and Sir John Gorman MC.
The Royal Honorary Colonel of the regiment is HRH Prince William who chose to wear their uniform at his wedding. The distinctive shamrock on the collar, and his bride’s Carrickmacross lace gave an Irish dimension at the wedding which took place shorty before the Queen’s historic and most acceptable visit to Eire.