Medal Society of Ireland

The Irish Coast Guard, formerly entitled the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) is the nation-wide emergency organisation and is a Division of the Department of Marine and Natural Resources.

The Irish Marine Emergency Service was set up in 1991 to take over the activities for the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, the Coast Radio Service, marine radio engineers and Coast and Cliff Rescue Service. It also took responsibility for marine emergency management in the Irish Search and Rescue Region and the Irish Pollution Responsibility Zone. To reflect more fully the range of its responsibilities, in January 2000 it was renamed he Irish Coast Guard.

He was born on 9 October 1887 at Skibbereen, Co. Cork. On 1 October 1915, having been previously employed in the drapery trade he volunteered to join the Royal Navy, being then almost 28 years old.

Recruits to the Navy normally enter at a much lower age and undergo a course of basic training at one of its shore establishments before being trained to  work on board ship (in case they cause damage to the shlp's equipment or to themselves.) Because of his age Sheehy was too old to join as a Seaman but men could still be accepted as Officers' Stewards or Cooks up to the age of 30, so he was taken in as an Officers' Steward 3rd Class and went afloat straight away in HMS Adventure. For such duties in was probably felt that "on-the-job training" would be adequate - especially since there was a war in progress. He must have conducted himself satisfactorily on his first day as he was uprated to Officers' Steward 1st Class the following day.

by Michael Kavanagh

James Joseph Magennis was born in the Falls Road district of Belfast on 27 October 1919. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in June 1935 and began his training as a boy seaman on HMS GANGES. By 1939 and the outbreak of WW2 he was an Able Seaman on HMS KANDAHAR, on which ship he took part in actions off Crete, Greece and Libya, surviving her sinking off the Libyan coast in December 1941. In 1942 he transferred to the submarine branch and after training was attached to midget submarine units.

Only ten Irishmen have won the ALBERT MEDAL, until 1940 and the institution of the GEORGE CROSS. Once popularly known as "The Civilian VC", 571 awards of this rare and hard-won decoration were made between 1866 and 1971, although from the beginning of 1950 it was only awarded posthumously. In its gold version it is the rarest of all British gallantry awards.

by Peter Stevenson

The exploits of Irishmen in the First World War have been widely documented and not least the sacrifice on the Somme when on a single day the 36th (Ulster) Div sustained 5,500 casualties¹. It is recorded that some 500,000 Irish fought in that war and of these 50,000 were killed. The sacrifices of the 36th Div represent therefore only a portion of the losses sustained by the Irish people but I highlight these because of the particular background of the Ulster Division. 

by T. O'Neill & P. O'Daly

Illustrated below are the badges which are currently available to commemorate the bi-centenary of the 1798 RISING. With the exception of No. 16, all were purchased in the Wicklow/Wexford areas, No. 16 was obtained in Northern Ireland.

by Eamonn O'Toole

This, the latest official irish medal, was instituted in 1996 and first issues were made in June 1997. It is given to persons who complete ten years continuous service in the Civil Defence organization and a different ribbon is issued after twenty years service. 

by Michael Kavanagh

McGowan was born in Loughrea, Galway, Ireland in March 1797. He joined the 3rd Battalion of the 27th Foot on 27 March, 1809 in Portugal at Lisbon. Perhaps his father was a serving soldier? Perhaps he has simply followed the drum as a regimental orphan, a Duke of York's School pupil or simply a 12 year old waife? Whatever the reason, he fought his way across Portugal, Spain and France, earning six clasps to his MGS awarded retrospectively to Wellington's Army Veterans in 1848.

The Minister for Defence Mr. Michael Smith TD presented An Realt Mileata (The Military Star) to the next-of-kin of Defence Forces personnel killed in hostile circumstances while on military services overseas.

This was the first occasion in the history of the state that such medals have been awarded. 

A total of 36 medals were presented by the Minister of Defence, details below. 

by Michael Kavanagh

The medal scarce to Irish units (438 in total) was authorised etherised by army order 126 of June 1908. The following is taken directly from Army Orders.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve a long service and good conduct medal being granted to non-commissioned officers and men of the Special Reserve who complete 15 years service, having attended at least 15 trainings, and who by their irreproachable character and conduct during the whole of their service have proved themselves in every way worthy of the distinction.