HUNDREDS OF people lined the street as the men and women of the 4 Cavalry Squadron followed the Brigade Band to the cathedral and many more turned out to bid them farewell as they left Connolly Barracks in Longford for the last time.
The final act before their departure was the lowering of the flag by Sgt Pat Masterson.
It was handed to Brig Gen Gerry Hegarty before the troops mounted their vehicles and drove away as scores of green, white and gold balloons filled the air.
The Friends and Families against Connolly Closure, which was formed after the budget day announcement, continued to maintain that the costs of closure far outweigh any gains to the economy.
The troops arrived at Custume Barracks shortly before 3pm to be formally welcomed by 300 members of the 6 Infantry Battalion.
Greeting them, Lieut Col Joe Scanlon, commanding officer in Athlone, acknowledged that all units would be affected by the move.
He commended the new arrivals on their “distinguished history in Longford” and said he looked forward to them “integrating and working in the barracks here with us”.
“There is an appointed time for everything . . .”
For the hundreds of people who attended the Mass in St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford to mark the closure of Connolly Barracks, it seemed as if the words of the first reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes were written with them in mind.
Most Rev Colm O’Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, described it as “a day of mixed emotions”.
Most importantly, “it is a day of thanksgiving for the men and women who have served our world and in particular our country”.
He complimented the Army’s work in the community and said he was heartened to know this would continue, despite the soldiers being stationed in Westmeath.
Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds said he was “very sorry, very sorry to see it, but I can understand the changes that have taken place”. “It is never a right decision. You feel that you don’t like to lose anything, no matter what it is.”
At the barracks, representatives of the families presented commanding officer Comdt Tom McGrath with a trophy. Gertrude Malone, whose father served in the Army for 24 years, described it as having “three crests from Athlone, Longford and where they originated from in the Curragh. Just wishing them luck in what comes next.”
“Connolly Barracks is an old friend for a lot of the families. A lot of the lads who served in there today, their dads were in it. It meant a lot to us, part of the furniture.”
Mary McLoughlin, whose husband has been stationed in Longford for 29 years, described the move as “very emotional”.
“It’s a very sad day for the town and for the families. For a long time we campaigned to keep it open, but to no avail.”