Westmeath artillery regiment mark inauguration of President Connolly

At exactly 12:36 on November 11, 2025 Catherine Connolly was inaugurated as the 10th President of Ireland to the sound of the guns of 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment, based in Custume Barracks Athlone.

Situated in Collins Barracks Dublin the guns, loaded and ready, awaited the signal to fire from the OP officer, Lt Andy Grey, discreetly in place at the ceremony in Dublin Castle.

As the ceremony unfolded, Lt Col Niall Verling, Officer Commanding and RSM Jacko McNamee were over-watch, while Comdt Emmet Gallagher, Battery Commander and Bty Sgt Paddy Clarke were in control of the actual gun battery, with RQMS Oliver Mahedy and BQMS Jason Rathigan provided logistical support, as all stood in wait.

And at exactly 12:36pm, the exact time Catherine Connolly signed the document, as Uachraráin na hÉireann and Supreme Commander of Ireland's Defence Forces, the signal was sent: “Fire!” Comdt Gallagher gave the order, “21 rounds battery right, fire!”

The River Liffey may have separated both ceremonies, but the first round fired from “A Sub” gun detachment joined both in a tradition that goes back to 1938 with the inauguration of President Douglas Hyde.

The sound of the guns and the smell of the cordite filled the air, hailing in a life less ordinary for Ireland's 10th President, Catherine Connolly.

Meanwhile the gun battery hitched up their guns, and while for a short time, our Defence Forces were front and centre, they and all of our Defence Forces who were involved, drifted away, like the sound and smoke of the guns, into the background, to whatever the next mission awaits them, at home and overseas, the silent sentinels and servants of the state.