Old Dundalk Society Lecture - Wed 8th February

 

The Old Dundalk Society

                                         Winter Lecture

Date:  Wednesday 8^th February  2023

Time:  7.30 p.m.

Venue:   County Museum, Dundalk

Title: 

The History of the 27^th Infantry Battalion Aiken Barracks Dundalk

The lecture details the story of 27^th Infantry Battalion (Dundalk). Dundalk has a rich and varied military history reaching back into Celtic Mythology. The land of Cuchulainn, a warrior who is symbolised in emblem/flash of the 27^th Battalion. Following the 1798 Rebellion, Dundalk became a garrison town with the barracks being established on what was known as Parliament Square.

It was in 1973 the 27th Battalion was established under the command of Lt. Col. Louis Hogan, a future Chief of Staff. Dundalk was obviously an excellent preparation for high rank as one of his successors Lt General Dermot Early also rose to that high office.

The lecture will be given by Sergeant (Sgt) Riccardo Lucchesi. Sgt Lucchesi enlisted in the defence forces in 1985, having completed the Leaving Cert in The Marist College Dundalk and has served with 27 Infantry Battalion since. He has been deployed on seven overseas tours of duty, three to Lebanon with further tours to Bosnia, Kosovo, Chad and Syria.

Sgt Lucchesi is a keen local historian with a particular interest in the military history of Dundalk. He operates guided tours, on request, of Aiken Barracks and is the key holder of the Garrison Museum there. A local man, he is married to Anita and has a grown-up family.

PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START

Due to the limited capacity of the venue, attendees are advised to come early. 

Refreshments served after lecture.  Voluntary contributions at door.