Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (2 R IRISH) marked St. Patrick's Day with a ceremonial parade, continuing a tradition that has endured for more than a century.
The Presentation of Shamrock, presented to soldiers by Major General Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton, Director Army Reserves, and his wife, Dame Caroline.
2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish, were presented their shamrocks at Hillsborough Castle.
Warrant Officer Class Two Chris Kennedy, Major Chris Hill, and Warrant Officer Class One Regimental Sergeant Major Kyle Scott 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO ADC, Chief of the General Staff on Lolldaiga Mountains Training Area, Kenya, 17th March 2026.
Lance Corporal Dorothy Orr, a saxophonist for the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment.
The 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Parade and Shamrock Presentation in Royal Hillsborough.
At the heart of the occasion was the Presentation of Shamrock. Queen Victoria created this tradition in 1900, to honour the bravery of her Irish soldiers.
Orders issued on 14 March 1900 directed: “Her Majesty the Queen is pleased to order that in future on Saint Patrick's Day all ranks in Her Majesty's Irish regiments shall wear as a distinction a sprig of shamrock in their head-dress to commemorate the gallantry of Her Irish soldiers during the recent battles in South Africa.”
“St Patrick’s Day is a proud moment in the regimental calendar."
This year, the occasion was marked by 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH) troops on Exercise Haraka Storm in Kenya who served as the enemy force on the exercise.
During a break in the exercise, the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), General Sir Roly Walker, presented shamrocks to the soldiers. The shamrocks, grown in greenhouses in County Kerry, were transported to Kenya for the occasion.
CGS commended the training environment in Kenya: “It’s kind of a Goldilocks place to train, it’s not so hot that it’s oppressive, it’s not so hard that it’s so difficult, it’s about right, there’s the edge of hardness, the edge of danger, and that just makes it real. Short of being shot at, it’s the best we can do in training and that’s what makes it special.”
Commanding Officer (CO), 1 R IRISH, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Rob Small said: “St Patrick’s Day is a proud moment in the regimental calendar. Whether at home or deployed overseas, soldiers of The Royal Irish Regiment continue to honour the traditions of those who served before them. It is particularly special to see our soldiers marking the occasion both in Hillsborough and while training on Exercise Haraka Storm."
“The shamrock we wear with pride is a symbol of our identity, resilience, and the enduring bond we share with the community in Northern Ireland and further afield.”
In Hillsborough, Major General Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton, Director Army Reserves, and his wife Dame Caroline, presented shamrock. A spiritual and moral element was provided. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, The Most Reverend John McDowell led prayers.
Lt Col Wayne Nickles VR, Commanding Officer of 2 R IRISH, said: “The shamrock we wear with pride is a symbol of our identity, resilience, and the enduring bond we share with the community in Northern Ireland and further afield.”
The Band of The Royal Irish Regiment and the Bugles, Pipes and Drums of 2 R IRISH led the parade. Soldiers marched from Beechlawn School to the forecourt of Hillsborough Castle, accompanied by a guard of Veterans and Cadets.
Army Reservist of the Year records Remembrance song
