Not a recruiting drive, but Cork primary school pupils pledge to join army

It was not meant to be a recruiting drive but it was little wonder the sight of both the defence minister and chief of staff of the Defence Forces led to scores of national schoolchildren pledging to join up when age permits.

It was also a ‘first’ yesterday at the largest primary school in Munster when Defence Minister Simon Coveney and vice-admiral Mark Mellett turned up to present the 890 pupils at Scoil Nioclais in Frankfield, Douglas, Co Cork, with the national flag and a copy of the Proclamation under the Flags for Schools initiative.

In true military style, senior infants lined up to form a guard of honour as the VIPs arrived and a choir sang the national anthem.

Lieutenant James McKeown and Sergeant Denis McGarry from Collins Barracks read out the Proclamation, gave a brief history of the country, and presented a full-size flag to the school. It will be raised on March 15, designated as Proclamation Day, as part of the 1916 Rising centenary commemorations.

The two soldiers then conducted a Q&A session on the role of the Defence Forces — the children were not put off by the fact recruits are expected to rise from their beds at 6.30am.

When asked how many would like to join the military, nearly as many hands went up as stayed down in the packed assembly hall.

The soldiers said the Defence Forces were like a family and gave recruits confidence in a supportive way.

For one young man, it will be a day he’ll never forget. Jonathan O’Brien, 8, has, of his own accord, studied a lot about the history of the First and Second World Wars. When the top brass heard about it, he was ‘ordered’ to stand in a picture with them holding the People of the Year award which the Naval Service won last weekend.

Beaming from ear to ear, Jonathan said he was interested in military history as his dad had a friend in the Army. “I’m definitely going to join up when I’m older.”

The dignitaries also enjoyed an Irish dancing performance by pupils from fourth class.

The final order of the day was issued by Mr Coveney, who said none of the children were to get homework. Needless to say, he got a big salute for that.