| The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd & 87th) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 July 1968 - 1992 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry Regiment of the Line |
| Size | On disbandment, 2 Regular Battalions & 1 TA Battalion |
| Garrison/HQ | Depot R IRISH, St Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena |
| Nickname | "The Irish Rangers" |
| Motto | Faugh A Ballagh (Clear the Way) (Irish) |
| March | Quick - Killaloe Slow - Eileen Alannagh |
| Mascot | Irish Wolfhound Brian Boru |
| Anniversaries | Barrosa Day, 5th March; Somme Day, Waterloo Day, Rangers Day 1st July |
| Engagements | Barrosa, Waterloo, Somme, Korea |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel in Chief | Field Marshal His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster (until 1974); Vacant (1974 - 1988); Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester (1989 - until amalgamation) |
| Honorary Colonel | First - Lieutenant General Sir Ian Harris. At disbandment - Lt-Col. The Rt. Hon. Alan Henry (Brooke), 3rd Viscount Brookeborough, DL |
| Notable commanders |
General Sir Roger Neil Wheeler, GCB, CBE. Former CGS; Brigadier MCV McCord MC; The O'Morochoe |
The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th) (abbreviated as "R IRISH") was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.
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The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1st July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three remaining Irish infantry regiments.[1]
The date was initially known as Vesting Day (and then Rangers Day), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were vested in the new "large regiment". 1 July is also Somme Day; a preeminent day in military history for the whole island of Ireland.
Soon after creation in December 1968, and as part of a general reduction in the Army, the 3rd Battalion (former Royal Irish Fusiliers) was disbanded.
The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle & Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, a unique designation Rangers was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army since 1922. The title is also used by the US Army, Canada, Ireland and Pakistan.
With the creation of the Divisions of Infantry, the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the King's Division, along with regiments from the north of England. This continued until 1992 and Options for Change. The Ulster Defence Regiment and The Royal Irish Rangers amalgamated to form The Royal Irish Regiment.
Accommodating the traditions of the three regiments required compromise:
The Rangers served in, inter alia, the following places:
Under this reorganisation, the Royal Irish Rangers were amalgamated with the Ulster Defence Regiment to form the new The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment).
The name of the Royal Irish Rangers was maintained through the Territorial Army battalion in Northern Ireland, which nominally exists to augment the Royal Irish Regiment's ORBAT, but can be deployed in support of any regular unit. In 2007, following the disbanding of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Royal Irish Rangers TA were renamed as the new 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment.
Recipients of the Victoria Cross:
The Regimental Quick March is Killaloe. It was written around 1887 by an Irish composer, Robert Martin, for the London Musical "Miss Esmeralda". The lyrics relate the story of a French teacher attempting to make himself understood to a difficult Killaloe class. Originally in 2/4 time, it was made well known in military circles by a cousin of the composer - Lt. Charles Martin of the 88th Connaught Rangers (The Devil's Own). He composed new lyrics, in 6/8 time, celebrating his Regiment's fame. No mention is made of the tune in the Regimental history, but there is an explanation that may account for the shout or yell in the military version of Killaloe.
Historically, in the lst. Battalion (Connaught Rangers), formerly the 88th, a favourite march tune was "Brian Boru" played when marching through a town - often after a hot and heavy march. On such occasions, and at a time given by the Sergeant Major, the Band would pause and all ranks would give a "Connaught Yell". The march became popular among the other Irish Regiments and various other sets of lyrics were devised (see Killaloe page) Killaloe is unique. It is the only march the soldiers join in with. On parade they give a spine-tingling "Ranger Yell"; this continues with the Royal Irish Regiment.
The first known recording of Killaloe was made by Richard Dimbleby when serving as a BBC war correspondent in Northern France shortly before Dunkirk. The "Famous Irish Regiment" Dimbleby reports playing as they march past is not named, but would have been either the Royal Irish Fusiliers or the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Again in 1944, the BBC recorded The 1st. Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Pipes & Drums playing Killaloe, by then adopted unofficially as the march of the 38th (Irish) Brigade, during the approach to Monte Cassino. Killaloe was adopted by The Royal Irish Rangers on its formation and again later by the Royal Irish Regiment on its amalgamation in 1992.
The soldiers had their own words to the tune which would be sung, sotto voce, as they marched:
| “ |
We're the Irish Rangers, |
” |
To hear the tune visit: Ranger website
Previously the March of the Royal Innskilling Fusiliers, Eileen Alannah is an Irish ballad. It is available as sheet-music[4]. The lyrics.[5]:
| “ |
Eileen Alannah, Eileen Asthore |
” |
At the Tercentenary parade celebrated in Osnabruck in 1989, the Irish Rangers were able to parade a combined band from 1 & 2 R IRISH together with the Bugles, Pipers & Drums from both.
The Band, Bugles, Pipes & Drums have released CDs including Pipes & Drums of Ireland and Heritage Of Ireland
| Lineage | |||
| The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th) | The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot | |
| The 108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry) | |||
| The Royal Ulster Rifles | 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot | ||
| The 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot | |||
| The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) | The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot | ||
| The 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot | |||