11 minute read
Creative Writing
The spectacular illuminations on the wall of Crinkle Barracks
Illuminating our past: snapshots in time
It’s not within the scope of this article to write a comprehensive history of The Leinster Regiment (1881 – 1922). Suffice to say, that information given here is an overview and hopefully, an encouragement to delve deeper into this particular historical period. In this time of centenaries, it’s worth mentioning some of The Leinster Regiment’s history and how the impact it had on life in the Irish Midlands (and beyond) is still felt today; in historical and artistic ways.
On Sunday, 7th August last, I attended a ceremony on Barracks Street (Crinkle) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disbandment of The Ulster Regiment. Its official name is The Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment, formed from what had once been two foot regiments; one based in Ireland and the other recruited in Canada, then a British colony. The barracks which housed them was built in Crinkle in 1809 -1810 (in a H-shape) mostly as a response to the Napoleonic War. The adjoining fourteen acres acted as a training ground. The Regiment’s effect on social, economic and cultural life was significant. At that time, the barracks served as a mini town in effect. It had its own church, prison, hospital, canteen. Its eventual disbandment in February, 1922, left a devastating absence in its wake. The daily life of Crinkle community suffered. The barracks had the potential to house 2,000, and when finally depleted, due to the events of Civil War, there was a noticeable economic dent. Commemorations are respectful, often moving, always highly anticipated events. This one proved no exception. Local dignitaries from religious, political and historical backgrounds, paid homage to the courage of men recruited from counties Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Longford and Meath. Men who died in the First World War (four of whom received the Victoria Cross). Men who liberated Ledegem in Belgium (celebrated there each year), men who served in Gallipoli, South Africa, Central India. There are so many such heroic examples. Colonel Mark Weldon, Chair of the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment Association provided informative links during the proceedings. The regiments represented on the day were: Connaught Rangers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Royal
Pipers' Lament (pipers played a special commissioned piece at the commemoration ceremony). Tony Hayden leaves a wreath at the Leinster Regiment memorial
Irish Regiment and South Irish Horse and The Leinsters. There was also representation from The Royal Munster Fusiliers. Against the backdrop of military uniform, pipers playing a lament (specially commissioned for the occasion), I noticed how nature herself seemed to bestow upon the occasion a sense of time and season. After all, when the barracks was destroyed (through fire), nature gradually overgrew what was left behind. Overhead, a lone low-flying plane from Crinkle’s airfield flew, a reminder of the acoustics of war. Swallows darted about, their streamlined bodies more than equipped for flight. I fancied a nest or two in the crumbling bricks on Military Road, returned to year after year after the long journey from Africa. A comforting imagining.
A large gathering sheltered beneath the leafy shade of an oak tree. In the distance, the inevitable sound of a dog barking contributed a domestic register. It’s sometimes easy to forget that the lives of real military men, their wives and children were played out on these Crinkle streets (and in nearby towns such as Birr). Lives that were hidden for the most part behind the walls of the Barracks. Yet, children were born, grew up, went to school here. Inevitably too, lives were lost from diseases much harder to manage then; diseases such as Cholera, Measles, Tuberculosis, among others. Celebrations took place too. Christenings, weddings. A story goes (perhaps apocryphal) that at one such military wedding, the groom got cold feet and backed out at the last minute. Rather than cause pain to the prospective bride, another man in uniform stepped forward, sparing her blushes.
There’s laughter too. I was brought up on stories from the barracks. How, every Sunday, some of the regiment (who were Roman Catholics) walked the mile or so to Birr’s St Brendan’s Church, accompanied by their mascot goat. Pipers played and the goat danced, the whole way to town. A spectacle children came out to see. Stories about men returning from war with limbs missing. Children quaked to see them, not understanding the horrific backdrop of war, the courage these men of action proclaimed through their injuries. And of course, on Sunday 7th August, part of the ceremony included wreath laying. Beautiful red poppies were laid at the Obelisk nearby, built to honour and acknowledge, to celebrate and commemorate. Everyone was invited to lay a wreath, regardless of religious or political persuasion. The Regiment’s first colours were presented by the youthful Prince of Wales in 1859 before the troops were sent to serve in Gibraltar and Malta until 1866. From 1866 – 1868, they were in Canada. The Leinsters then returned to England for two years and in 1874 they went to Ireland. Their first tour of duty in India was from 1877 to 1894. There was opposition when the wearing of khaki uniforms was introduced in place of the white hot weather uniforms previously worn by the British Army. In 1887, the Countess of Dufferin presented new colours to the regiment, and the old colours with their battle honour ‘Niagara’ were sent to Canada and kept in the Library of Parliament in Ottawa.
The Leinster Regiment was disbanded on the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. The barracks on Military Road was subsequently burnt out and destroyed by the Irregulars. Flames were seen long into the night, eventually reaching the clock in the turret. 3.30am was the time when they finally burnt out, leaving behind the ruins of an historical and military chapter. When the ash settled, 41 years of living in Crinkle Barracks ended with all who remained of The Regiment walking up Military Road to begin their journey to Dublin (via train). Two carriages were loaded up with their possessions. Then a ship from Holyhead onto Colchester to join their military companions. ‘Birr Barracks and burials; a new military and family history record,’ is published by County Offaly Historian Stephen Callaghan. It’s well worth a read; offalyhistoryblog contains lots of relevant avenues to explore for those wishing to know more about this fascinating period of history. Although little tangible physical evidence remains of their presence (a portion of wall and entrance portal, the obelisk at Crinkle, a stained glass window in St Brendan’s Church), The Leinster Regiment stays is remembered in other ways. In exhibition form (Birr Library, Wilmer Road, among other establishments, contains an exhibition with interesting Militaria) but also, the history of The Leinster Regiment has inspired the creation of cultural engagement via the arts.
On Saturday, 6th August, a visual feast took place; ‘The Luminaries’, focusing on The Leinster Regiment’s 100th anniversary since leaving Crinkle, animated by Visual Artist/Printmaker Caroline Conway. Caroline, who attended Edinburgh Arts College, specialises in creating animations which are then projected onto all sorts of ‘screens’. In this
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Members of the regiment at the commemoration ceremony
case, her artistic interpretation of what happened at Crinkle Barracks was shown on what remains of the Barracks. This light show took place just as the last pinch of day ebbed away, making for a clearer viewing. It was an emotive sight; soldiers marching and also, to hear the sound of their marching boots. Plaintive pipes presented a mournful lamentation yet stirring too. It felt surreal; imagining the presence of soldiers filling the empty spaces behind the Barracks portal. Their red and blue uniforms appeared so vivid. Historical detail was effectively relayed in voice over. I was conscious of the 14 acres training ground nearby. Men preparing for war yet living peaceful lives behind the barracks walls.
‘The Luminaries’ or Illuminations is a highly skilled art form and a very popular one. Caroline’s talent has attracted large crowds who marvel at such rich enactment while sharing a personal and collective experience. She brings the magic of history to life. Of the Luminaries at Crinkle, Ray Hayden (The Leinster Regiment Association) said: “It graphically illustrated in this snapshot, the history of this proud Irish Regiment. It brought the regiment back to life and gave a fresh perspective to a new audience who perhaps never fully appreciated the Leinster or their military prowess on the Western Front.” “Among Caroline Conway’s large repertoire are: ‘Mary Ward’s Amazing World of Wonder’. A scientist, microscopist and entomologist, Mary Ward came to prominence at a time when women could not aspire to membership of any learned society or obtain any degree or diploma. Mary Ward’s book Sketches with the Microscope was published privately (1857) but such was its contribution to science that a year later, Groomsbridge of London published it under the title ‘The World of Wonders as revealed by the Miscroscope’. Mary Ward was cousin to William Rosse at Birr Castle and while he looked to the stars with his Leviathan Telescope, Mary examined the minutae of life through the microscope. This project was first performed at the Mary Ward Heritage Centre, Ferbane and has subsequently been shown as part of Science Week, biodiversity Week, Maths Week, Offaly Heritage Seminar, Creative Engagements as an outdoor video mapped projection, with narration by Lalla Ward, Great Granddaughter of Mary Ward. Also, as part of the Illuminate ‘Herstory’ Festival and Vintage Luminaries.
Another project Caroline’s involvement has greatly enriched is ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’. The forerunners of modern museums, Cabinets of Curiosity were private collections of types of objects whose categorical boundaries were yet to be defined. Objects were collected according to chosen themes and displayed without context. The Cabinets were a form of propaganda and glorification for their patrons. In Renaissance Europe, the context was often omitted in order to include objects that did not have a justified place in the collection or to hide the fact of the collector’s lack of knowledge.
Helen Roe, born in Mountrath, County Laois in 1895, inspired a projection onto the Old Fort Wall, County Laois. Caroline’s illumination introduced audiences to the life of this remarkable woman and the significance of her historical achievements. During the First World War, Helen Roe joined the order of St John and enlisted in the British Red Cross as a Volunteer Aid Detachment. She served in military hospitals in Cambridge, Aldershot and Bray in County Wicklow.
Caroline also works with children, passing on her extensive skills. An event which featured at the Dunamaise Theatre, Portlaoise on Easter Monday, 2017, as part of the Creative Ireland initiative, featured a live performance by John Spillane and Lonrach (Music Generation, Laois,) of his song for Laois, ‘One Hundred Snow White Horses’. The children of Paddock NS, worked with Caroline on this animation. Who knows what marvels will come next?
The stained glass window at St Brendan’s church
Acknowledgements are due to Caroline Conway for access to her text and photography. To Ray Hayden (The Leinster Regiment Association) for his invaluable support re text and photography. Caroline’s work can be enjoyed on the following website;www.carolinefconway.
com/-vintage-luminaries.html
Further and more detailed information about The Leinster Regiment can be found on the Association’s website: leinster-
