Connaught Rangers Association

On Sat 11 July members of the CRA attended the Royal British Legion in Ireland annual Somme ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at The Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin.
The well attended ceremony commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, reference being made to some of the Irishmen who participated in the offensive.
It also commemorated those who lost their lives in both World Wars, the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the Island of Ireland who served and died in those conflicts.

Our new exhibition is officially open at King House, Boyle! 🏛️✨ Explore the legendary history of the Connaught Rangers in the Peninsular War. Huge thanks to Heavey Technology for their sponsorship, marking the launch with the presentation of a historic Baker Rifle to our chairman, PJ Maloney. Come visit us! 🎖️🏰

Open Day at Renmore Bks

On Sat 04 July Connaught Rangers Association were pleased to host their travelling exhibition Ranging Memories at Mellows Bks, Galway, the former Depot Connaught Rangers, Renmore Bks. The Open Day allowed the public to view the modern military equipment in service in the Irish Defence Forces. It also afforded an opportunity to gain an insight to the distinguished history of the Connaught Rangers, who served in Renmore from 1881 until disbandment in 1922.

There was a special treat for visitors as complimentary copies of Ballinasloe & District Remembers 1914-1918 were available courtesy of Ballinasloe WW1 Heritage Group.

CRA Chairman P J Maloney gave a short background talk to the exhibition and answered questions from visitors, many with family who served in CR.

It was a proud day for Galway heritage and all visitors enjoyed their day, despite the poor weather!

Honouring the Connaught Rangers: A Weekend of Remembrance and Reflection

Last Saturday, 27 June, history came alive at King House as the Connaught Rangers Association (CRA) officially launched the newly revised display dedicated to Private James Daly. It was a profoundly poignant gathering, with descendants of the 1920 mutineers travelling from all across Ireland to honour their ancestors' legacy.

CRA Chairman P.J. Maloney opened the proceedings by extending a special welcome to Mary and Brendan Henry, whose tireless dedication previously led to the creation of the memorial in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. The centre of the day's event—the "Daly Cell" exhibit—has been meticulously remodelled. Thanks to the invaluable assistance of Dagshai Prison Museum Curator Mr. Anand Sethi, the display now features a powerful authenticity, recreated using original, historical photographs from Dagshai Prison. Chairman also thanked Roscommon Co. Co. and staff of King House for their continued support of the Association and museum.

A particularly moving moment occurred when Michael and Tony White presented a special gift to the CR Museum on behalf of the mutineers' families. Their grandfather, James Hewson, was one of the brave men who took part in the historic mutiny.

The afternoon was further elevated by a profound lecture from Dr. Jyoti Atwal, Associate Professor of Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Her talk, "India, Ireland and Anti-Imperial Struggle: Memory and Museums of the Connaught Rangers in India," explored the deep-rooted solidarity between our two nations. Dr. Atwal drew fascinating parallels between the political struggles of Ireland and India, offering rich insights into their shared journeys toward independence and democracy.

The commemoration concluded with a dignified, solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Mutineers Memorial in Tubbercurry, ensuring that the bravery, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of these men are never forgotten.

New Exhibition Unveils the Duality of "The Devil’s Own": The 88th Connaught Rangers in the Peninsular War

Boyle, Co. Roscommon – A compelling new exhibition has opened at King House, offering visitors a deep dive into one of the most legendary and controversial infantry regiments in British military history.

The exhibition, which forms part of the broader Connaught Rangers collection, explores the regiment’s pivotal role in the Peninsular War (1808–1814) against Napoleon’s forces. It was during this brutal campaign that the 88th Regiment of Foot the Connaught Rangers forged their fearsome reputation.

Under the command of General Sir Thomas Picton, the Rangers were a core component of the legendary 3rd Division, famously dubbed the "Fighting Division." Their ferocity in battle became the stuff of legend, particularly their devastating bayonet charges at key engagements including Busaco, Badajoz, and Salamanca. Their courage did not go unnoticed by the Duke of Wellington, who, after the Battle of Talavera in 1809, remarked that the Rangers were "as steady under fire as on parade."

However, the regiment’s battlefield prowess was matched only by its notorious off-duty conduct. While their enemies feared their savage aggression in combat, Wellington’s patience was frequently tested by their boisterous and unruly behaviour in camp. This infamous duality earned them a Nickname from Major General Picton that has echoed through history: "The Devil's Own." The name perfectly encapsulates their nature fearsome bravery on the field and a thunderous lack of discipline away from it.

It is this complex legacy of courage, chaos, and enduring Irish spirit that the new exhibition seeks to capture. Curating this history presents a unique challenge, as it requires balancing the regiment’s martial achievements with their colourful reputation.
The exhibition would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship and unwavering support of Mr. Michael Heavey and Heavey Technology. Their contribution has been instrumental in bringing this collection of artefacts and historical narrative to the public.

Visitors are encouraged to explore this fascinating chapter of local and military history.

Visit King House, Boyle, to experience the Connaught Rangers exhibition and discover the story of the soldiers who earned their place in history as "The Devil's Own."

Mr. Michael Heavey (Heavey Technology) officially hands over a historic Baker Rifle to Mr. PJ Maloney, Chairman of the Connaught Rangers Association. The presentation marked the launch of the regiment's new exhibition at King House, made possible through Heavey Technology's generous sponsorship.

Step back in time with the Connaught Rangers! Members of the Connaught Rangers Association recently had the pleasure of speaking to the Clarinbridge Oyster Heritage Group. Padraig McDonnell delivered a fascinating talk on local links to the regiment—including Major Robert Gregory (the subject of Yeats’ famous poem, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death") and Private Patrick Donohue of Ardrahan, the very last recruit to join the Rangers. Patrick enlisted at the Regiment's Depot in Renmore Barracks, Galway, on 15th December 1921—a remarkable piece of local history. A huge thank you to everyone who gave us such a warm welcome and made it an enjoyable evening.

The Connaught Rangers Association (C.R.A.) successfully hosted our first Annual General Meeting online via Microsoft Teams. We were thrilled to see 30% of our membership engaging with us. This is a fantastic step forward, and we are eager to build on this momentum to expand our online presence and engagement. A special thank you to our members who joined us from the UK and India we truly appreciate your commitment! Here’s to staying connected!!!!!