Heritage weekend was a credit to all

FOR the first time in almost 40 years, I visited Charles Fort on Saturday, September 13, and was very much surprised to see not only the well run military displays and reenactments but a truly beautiful and well preserved fort.

It is a credit to Dúchas and its staff for their excellent contribution in preserving one of our nation’s finest gems.

The battle reenactments were a credit to the organisers as were the various units who gave their time freely to inform the public about the history of their campaigns and uniforms.

Heartiest congratulations also to the band of the Southern Command under Capt Liam Daly.

I was accompanied to Charles Fort by my friend George Sheahan, of Croom and Cobh, and his family.

George’s grandfather, Private George Sheahan, served with the Connaught Rangers and trained at Charles Fort in 1916 before being sent to Ypres in southern Belgium where he died in action at Kemmel Farm in February 1917.

The ghosts of past years and the White Lady would have been pleased.

I look forward to heritage weekend 2004.

Gerard O’Regan,

Bláth Na Gréine,

Ballinlough Road,

Cork.