Videos

Footage of the Irish Cavalry Corps firing 30mm main armament of the Mowag MRV. 2021

To mark the 60th anniversary of the deployment of Ireland's Defence Forces on the United Nations (ONUC) mission to the Republic of the Congo in 1960.

Footage of the unit move from McKee Bks over to its new home in Griffith Bks. Many familiar faces. Guard turned out to say adieu, but warm welcome from 2 CAV SQN in Griffith. Tks to Capt.Noel Treacy who captured this event. Early camcorder footage, so not from the Spielberg studios.

A message from our Chief of Staff to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann and their families, on our continued mission to support the citizens of Ireland against #COVID19.

Excerpt from the documentary Cast of 1000s, which looked at the Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ) (local defence force). Filmed in 1988. Here we meet the 11 Cavalry Squadron on annual training in Longford Barracks, and undertaking field exercises. Armoured, Recce, and Support troops. Utilising Landsverk, Unimog, and Panhard-60 armoured cars.

Cavalry Corps AML90 shoot in the Glen of Imaal 2012. One of the last shoots of this Panhard, with the very last occurring in April 2013.

Footage of 2 Cavalry Squadron Motorcycle Escort in 1987, and some short interviews of those serving at the time.

The Cavalry Memorial ceremony took place Sat 07 Sept 2013 at Plunkett Barracks, The Curragh and was attended by Chief of Staff Lt Gen Conor O'Boyle, GOC DFTC Brig Gen Ó Giolláin and GOC Air Corps Brig Gen Fry, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service Commodore Mellett DSM and the Director of Cavalry and ISTAR Colonel Bracken MMG. This years ceremony marks the 50th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Cavalry memorial stone by former Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean McKeown, who on the occasion in October 1963 said; "The memory of your dead Comrades, perpetuated here in this memorial, will be a source of inspiration for future generations of Irish soldiers and future generations of Irishmen, in all walks of life." Lt General McKeown's son, retired Lt Col John McKeown was present at the ceremony, with troops from all PDF and RDF Cavalry units.

Video by Karl Martin

Decorated cavalry corps veteran Art Magennis DSM gives an illustrated first-hand account of fighting in .303 Vickers-armed 4x2 Ford armoured cars against more powerfully armed M8 'Greyhound' 6x6 armd cars in Katanga, Congo, in 1961 as part of the ONUC (UN) mission. The Ford Mk VI armoured car was an updated version of the WWI .303 Vickers-armed Rolls-Royce armoured car. It was designed by the Irish Cavalry Corps and built in Carlow, Ireland in 1941.
Conversation recorded in Art's house in Dublin in 2013. Art was born in Ardglass, Co. Down in 1919. He served in the Cavalry Corps, Irish Defence Forces, from 1940 to1979. Art died on 12/2/2019 in his hundred year.
For more see: 'Ireland, the United Nations and the Congo' by Michael Kennedy and Art Magennis (Four Courts Press, 2014)

Video by Karl Martin