THE RETIRED MEMBERS ASSOCIATION DIARY

The DFB Retired Members Association was formed more than 20 years ago under the auspices of the Dublin Fire Brigade Sports and Social Club. e Committee of the DFB Sports and Social Club decided that retired re ghters needed a social outlet, as once retired, they ceased to be members of the DFB Sports & Social Club.

Some founder members at that time were Jim Sargent, Joe Davis (both R.I.P.), Willie McFadden, Tommy Doyle and others, and some of these members are still enjoying the

DFB Retired Members Association to this day. We are also proud to say we have a great relationship with the DFB Sports and Social Club who work together with us to recruit new retired members.

Our member and past Chairperson Tom Geraghty, who became Vice Chairman in 2004, was conscious of the fact that the DFBRMA had no income, and together with the Committee made arrangements to have subscriptions paid from members’ pensions through Dublin City Council/DubCo. is enabled the DFBRMA to provide speci c items such as communications equipment, a computer, mobile phones, and clothing to wear at special occasions. It also made it possible to provide annual subscriptions to larger institutions to which the DFBRMA are a liated, while members at our AGMs agree to donate to many needy charities in the city.

Company

e DFBRMA was formed so that DFB retired re ghters of all ranks could enjoy the company of their retired comrades. It is important to understand that there is absolutely no rank structure in the DFB Retired Members Association: all members, including the Committee, are ordinary members. e aims of the association are to get out there and enjoy ourselves, and our members and their partners have accomplished this, going on mid-week breaks around Ireland, holidays in Spain, Portugal, even China, cruises on the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Christmas parties in hotels away from home, and many other functions during the year.

An important part of our programme is to provide a Guard of Honour at retired members’ funeral services, and our members form the colour party at the Annual Deceased Members Mass at St Saviour’s Church.

We meet in the Teachers Club, Parnell Square, on the last Tuesday of every month, and all retired re ghters are more than welcome to come and join us, talk to old friends, have a pint, and maybe decide to join our group.