An Garda Síochána Announces Host Of Events To Celebrate 100th Anniversary

Wednesday, 9 February 2022 07:42

Today marks 100 years since Michael Collins formed a committee to establish the police force.

An Garda Síochána has announced a number of national and local events to mark the centenary of the force.

Today marks 100 years since Michael Collins formed a committee to establish a police force for the 26 counties of Ireland.

The inaugural meeting, which took place at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin 100 years ago today, ultimately led to the creation of An Garda Síochána.

Michael Collins called the meeting, which was attended by TD Michael Staines, who would go on to become the first Garda Commissioner.

A commemorative event, which was postponed due to Covid restrictions, is planned for the Gresham Hotel in May.

In August, a national commemorative event is due to take place, to remember the day Commissioner Staines led Gardaí into Dublin Castle.

Other local exhibitions, on Garda history and heritage, are also due to take place around the country throughout the year.

These will coincide with the key historical dates and include:

• February 21st 2022 – The ‘Day in the Life’ project to mark the day the first Garda recruits were attested in the RDS.

• May 24th, 2022 – Gresham Hotel Commemorative Event (event was postponed from February 9 2022 due to COVID-19).

• Dublin Castle, 27th August 2022 – A national event to commemorate the day that Commissioner Michael Staines led Gardaí into Dublin Castle.

• Presentation of a Centenary Service Medal to all serving and retired Garda members.

• Publication of two books on the organisation in its first 100 years.

• Renovation of the Garda memorial cenotaph in Garda Headquarters.

• A specially commissioned piece of music by the composer Odhrán O’Chasaide will be performed by Garda Band at the Commemorative Event in Dublin Castle on the August 27th, 2022.

• Local exhibitions on Garda history and heritage.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris paid tribute to the 89 members of An Garda Síochána who've died in the past 100 years in the line of duty.

He said the organisation has adapted to serve the past and present needs of a national, unarmed police service, while striving to prevent and detect crime.