The Irish Guards marked St Patrick’s Day in spectacular style this year, celebrating their proud Irish heritage with a Royal parade in London and a battlefield service with Ukrainian recruits in Eastern England.
In this, their 125th anniversary, the Guards made sure March 17, 2025, was extra special.
Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, their Colonel, led the London celebrations at Wellington Barracks, while 100 miles away, Irish Guards on Operation Interflex training Ukrainian troops also honoured the occasion in a synchronised show of solidarity.
The Princess of Wales Leads London Celebrations
Dressed in elegant green, The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she carried out the time-honoured tradition of presenting fresh sprigs of shamrock to the Guardsmen and their much-loved mascot, Irish Wolfhound Turlough Mor.
As the Band of the Irish Guards played stirring Irish melodies, the soldiers – resplendent in their red tunics and bearskin hats – proudly pinned the shamrocks to their uniforms. Veterans, families, reservists, and young cadets from Northern Ireland also gathered for the prestigious event, reinforcing the regiment’s deep bonds of tradition and kinship.
A Field Service with Ukrainian Recruits
At the very same moment in East Anglia, a poignant battlefield service was held as 1st Battalion Irish Guards briefly paused their intensive Operation Interflex training of Ukrainian soldiers. Officers and Warrant Officers presented sprigs of shamrock to their Ukrainian comrades – a powerful symbol of unity in the face of war.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Irish Guards have played a pivotal role in training more than 45,000 Ukrainian recruits, ensuring they are ready for the frontlines. The regiment currently commands a multi-national battlegroup of troops from eight different nations, delivering world-class training to those preparing to defend their homeland.
Shared Hymns, Shared History
The day began with prayers, a sermon, and hymns at the Guards Chapel in London, the very same words echoed by soldiers in the woods and fields of East Anglia. This moving synchronisation underscored the deep camaraderie between the Irish Guards and the Ukrainian troops they train.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben Irwin-Clark expressed the significance of the event, saying:
“St Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the friendships that are so fundamental to our Regimental ethos and identity. With our busy and diverse operational schedules, it is the most prominent occasion for the Regimental family to come together and welcome Micks of all ranks from across the Army, past and present, along with their families. We raised a glass to those unable to attend this year, especially those deployed on Operations elsewhere.”
A Rousing Three Cheers for the Royal Colonel
As the festivities drew to a close, the Irish Guards, in both London and East Anglia, raised their voices in three cheersfor their Royal Colonel, The Princess of Wales – a rousing end to an unforgettable day.
125 Years of Gallantry and Glory
This St Patrick’s Day held extra significance, marking 125 years since Queen Victoria founded the Irish Guards in recognition of the extraordinary bravery of Irish regiments during the Boer War. With their six Victoria Cross recipients and a proud operational and ceremonial history, the regiment has remained at the heart of Britain’s military might.
From the trenches of the First World War to the battles of World War Two, and from modern-day global missions to their impeccable ceremonial duties, the Irish Guards continue to uphold their reputation as one of the most distinguished regiments in the British Army.
Busy Year of Operations and Ceremonial Duties
Over the past year, the Irish Guards have been deployed on a variety of high-profile operations and training missions, including:
- UK Standby Battalion tasks in Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Morocco.
- Joint exercises in Louisiana, USA on Exercise Rattlesnake.
- Jungle warfare training in Belize on Exercise Mayan Warrior.
- Security Force Assistance missions across Africa.
- King’s Guard ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace.
- Trooping the Colour for HM The King’s Birthday Parade – an event made even more dramatic by stormy skies and torrential rain!
A Toast to Tradition
As the London parade concluded, Officers and Sergeants gathered for official photographs before raising a glass of Guinness in a traditional toast to the regiment. Meanwhile, in East Anglia, the soldiers returned to their vital work – for war waits for no one.
Yet for all involved, the spirit of St Patrick’s Day and the values it represents – friendship, teamwork, identity, and history – remained at the heart of this remarkable celebration.
Cheers to another 125 years of the Fighting Micks!
