Royal Navy Association Conference in Dun Laoghaire. 9/10th June 2018

Ceremonial Order

    1000hrs Saturday 9th June,

  • March on of the RNA National Standard and the Colours of the Irish Naval Association (INA) carried by Alan Ryan.
  • Opening Prayers by Rev Ian Wheatley QHC. Chaplain of the Fleet.
  • Opening remarks by the National President Vice Admiral John McAnally CB LVO when he praised the INA for attending and how smart we looked
  • Messages and fraternal greetings by The General Secretary Capt Paul Quinn OBE RN
  • The National President Welcomes guests
  • Senator Neale Richmond FG opens the Conference and gives a brief history of Dun Laoghaire and gives an account of the sinking of MV Leinster by a German Submarine


Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM with members of the Irish Naval Association

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
2000Hrs 12 of the INA attended the Gala Dinner which was in a the Banqueting Room overlooking the Harbour.
Before the meal started the special Guests were introduced Which were the British Ambassador to Ireland. the British Military Attache,the Commanding Officer of LE Eithne Lt Cdr. Nessa Maloney,the President of the RNA Vice Admiral Noel Mc Anally, and the President of the Irish Naval Association Mr Bryan Gildea.

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
President of the Irish Naval Association