![]() Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, PhD, FNI, Chief of Defence, Irish Defence Forces. Addressed the Conference. The Vice Admiral was very complementary of the INA and mentioned us twice in his opening address. He gave a broad outline of the type of operations undertaken by the Irish Navy and where he sees it going in the future. He then took questions from the floor and was asked the size of the IN and how many ships we had when he gave the information he was asked was that enough and could he do with more he declined to comment further as he did not want to get into a debate which may be politically. After the speeches the dignitaries made their exits Alan Ryan Stayed on till the Closing of the Conference ( Approx 13Hrs) to march off our Colours. On Saturday afternoon there were Ships tours of LE Eithne which was anchored in Dun Laoghaire for the weekend and day trips for those not attending the Conference.
Gala Dinner During the meal we had a harpist playing traditional Irish Airs and at the end of the meal we had a troupe of Irish Dancers giving us a lovely display of Irish dancing. There then followed some Presentations to the following Mr Paul Quinn who was stepping down as General Secretary, He was presented with a Hip Flask that you would need a Haversack to carry it around with you which was filled and passed around Lt Com Nessa Moloney was presented with two Gifts ,a plaque of the RNA for the Ship and a gift for herself. Incidentally Nessa was Easter Group Officer of the Naval Reserve for a number of years and knew a lot of our colleagues. Sun 10/6/18 Four of our members attended the closing Ceremony. The weather for the weekend was excellent sun shining with no wind and LE Eithne laying at Anchor it showed Dun Laoghaire and Ireland at its best. I would like to thank Alan Ryan for arranging the participation of the INA in the event and to Gerry Mulligan and Alan for carrying our Colours over the weekend The next Conference will be held in the Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool in 2020. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() President and members of the Irish Naval Association with the RNA National President Vice Admiral John McAnally CB LVO |
![]() |
Report from
Bryan Gildea |