Council hosts Beating Retreat

June 1, 2018

This evening (1st June) Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council hosted a Beating Retreat to mark the 50th Anniversary since the foundation of the Royal Irish Rangers (27th Inniskilling 83rd and 87th).

The Beating Retreat, a tradition dating back to 16th century England, was held at Lagan Valley Island and performed by the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment. The event was attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mr Freddie Hall, MBE, High Sheriff for County Antrim, Miss Gillian Bingham, Freemen of the City, MLAs, The Mayor and Elected Members as well as the President, Vice-President of the Royal Irish Rangers Association and Veterans of the Regiment.  Members of the public also attended the event to pay tribute to the Regiment.

Speaking at the Beating Retreat, The Mayor, Councillor Tim Morrow said, “As a Council we are extremely proud of our close links with the Armed Forces and are delighted to host this spectacular event in honour of the Royal Irish Rangers that was formed in 1968.  It is a fitting tribute to all the servicemen and women who were part of the Regiment that we remember the courage and professionalism they displayed through an evening of military music and a marching display. On behalf of the Council and the citizens of Lisburn & Castlereagh I would like to thank all the military personnel involved in the Beating Retreat and those who served in the Regiment, not forgetting all the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

President of The Rangers Association, General Sir Roger Wheeler, was delighted with the event at Lagan Valley Island and said: “It is vitally important to keep the wonderful tradition of Beating Retreat alive and I am proud to be involved in this evening’s event remembering the Royal Irish Rangers.  The Regiment, the most distinguished and only remaining Irish Infantry Regiment of the line, was formed from three other famous Irish Regiments spanning more than 300 years of service and loyalty to the Crown and their Country; namely the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers.  It later merged with the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment.  The Regiment’s history, the Officers and the battles that were fought will never be forgotten.  Thank you to the Council for facilitating this memorable event.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and indeed the City of Lisburn has a long and proud association with the military and it is one that the Council will continue to nurture and support. Lisburn has long been home to the Army Headquarters in Northern Ireland and more recently HMS Hibernia, the Royal Navy Reserve Unit has also been based at Thiepval Barracks.

Last year the Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant and continues to seek ways in which to work with the local Armed Forces Community to strengthen our long-standing relationship.  A copy of our Armed Services Covenant is on permanent display at Lagan Valley Island.