Launch of 'The Glorious 17th Infantry Battalion'

Longford Libraries, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services will host the launch of 'The Glorious 17th Infantry Battalion' by Hugh Farrell, in Longford Library on Friday, June 20th at 7.30 p.m.. The launch will be performed by crime journalist and former battalion member, Paul Williams.

This new book traces the history of the 17th Infantry Battalion, which had its headquarters in Connolly Barracks, Longford town. Each company of the battalion is documented, including lists of personnel. Their triumphs and tragedies are also highlighted, and some 300 photographs are included throughout the book.

A Company was in County Longford, B Company while based in Granard, spilled over the boundaries of Westmeath and Cavan. C Company was based in the Strokestown area of Roscommon. D Company was based in Ballyconnell while E Company was based around Roscommon Town, until it reverted-back to 16th Infantry Battalion in 1979. F Company had its HQ in Mohill, County Letrim up to 1979, it then replaced Roscommon as E Company.

There is also a short account of the men from this area who soldiered at Jadotville in the Congo in September 1961. Many of them served at some time with the 17th Battalion as training officers, instructors or drivers. One of them, Commandant Joe Leech, was commanding officer of the battalion from 1979 to 1983.

Author Hugh Farrell served in the Defence Forces in Longford and knew many who were in the 17th Infantry Battalion. He is one of Longford’s most dedicated local historians and is a former chairperson of County Longford Historical Society. He is currently the chair of the Peter Keenan Branch of the ONE.