Medals

[Zulu_00]

Is there any gen about a 2021 gong yet or a COVID one like the National Ambulance Service?

[Truck Driver]

Is there any gen about a 2021 gong yet or a COVID one like the National Ambulance Service?

Have heard nothing myself, and TBH, I think we'd have heard by now if it was a thing
Not like we are gonna be having massed medal parades this coming year anyway, TBH

[Auldsod]

I think this thread could get interesting....

I'd be highly surprised if there is a covid medal or a 2021/22 medal either...

Maybe some of the current recruits/cadets will see the 1949 centenary of the Republic medal

[trellheim]

Anglo-Irish agreement signed 1921 provided for the Irish Free State and ended the War of Independence

[Auldsod]

Anglo-Irish agreement signed 1921 provided for the Irish Free State and ended the War of Independence

Agreement wasn't ratified until 1922 but you are correct, signed in 1921. There surely won't be a medal for it. Unlike 1916, it's divisive and finished up with civil war. Will be left well alone I'd expect.

[Flamingo]

Agreement wasn't ratified until 1922 but you are correct, signed in 1921. There surely won't be a medal for it. Unlike 1916, it's divisive and finished up with civil war. Will be left well alone I'd expect.

True - certain quarters would spin it as a medal to celebrate partition. Politically, no sensible party would want to touch it with a barge pole. It would make “commemorating the Tans” seem like a party...

[Fantasia]

I am all for giving a medal to anyone still serving that was there for the original event. Everyone else should join the boyscouts if they want badges

[ODIN]

True - certain quarters would spin it as a medal to celebrate partition. Politically, no sensible party would want to touch it with a barge pole. It would make “commemorating the Tans” seem like a party...

Did a current party of government, who currently have the Minister of Defence, not have a section in their election manifesto on a commemoration medal for 2021?

(https://www.finegael.ie/pdf/FG_GE20_Manifesto.pdf , Page 88 under "Commemorating the past")

[na grohmiti]

They also wanted to Commemorate the RIC. That did not end well.

[Auldsod]

Did a current party of government, who currently have the Minister of Defence, not have a section in their election manifesto on a commemoration medal for 2021?

(https://www.finegael.ie/pdf/FG_GE20_Manifesto.pdf , Page 88 under "Commemorating the past")

It didn't make the programme for government anyway. I guess it's been quietly forgotten about.

I wonder did they actual ask the leadership of the DF if there would be an overall appetite for such? I also noted that their manifesto said medals!

Of courses there are always those who want as much bling as possible whether it's issued, from a veteran's organisation or even private purchase.... I'll make no further comment there....

[Laners]

True - certain quarters would spin it as a medal to celebrate partition. Politically, no sensible party would want to touch it with a barge pole. It would make “commemorating the Tans” seem like a party...

Of course some interested parties 'up north' would view the non issue of a medal to commemorate partition as a failure to acknowledge it and that a united Ireland is in fact the true intention of Dublin who are waiting to issue a 'United Ireland ' medal instead, to go along with the economically united Ireland .

[northie]

The other side of it is that during 2016, no extra funding was provided the medal. Funds for this came out of existing clothing budgets. I'd prefer the money was spent on something practical rather than a this. It was our duty to do our bit during covid and we did it.

[na grohmiti]

Would it not make more sense to have a clasp or pin for existing service medals? Like a miniature harp or rosette to signify the holder served during these important years? Like the South Atlantic medal. Everyone who went south for over 30 days got the medal, (Including everyone at Ascension) but those who went beyond 35 Deg South operationally during hostilities on the Falklands got a clasp which was also on the ribbon.



Being lucky enough to serve at this time period does not, in my opinion deserve another medal. If we are going for new medals, a more sensible one would be to anyone who served between 1969 and 1998 in the Irish Security forces, who were de-facto fighting a war on terrorism.