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In Larne Platoon we wear very proudly the cap badge of The Royal Irish Rangers. In an act of expression for the pride we have in our cap badge, we have dedicated this page to the history of the The Royal Irish Rangers.

On vesting day, the 1st July 1968 The Royal Irish Rangers were formed. They were the Amalgamation of three Irish Regiments. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, The Royal Ulster Rifles and The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

The Oldest of these Regiments was the Inniskilling Fusiliers, who were formed in June of 1698 to help defend The Garrison of Enniskillen from the forces of King James II. The system for numbering Regiments was introduced in 1751, it was then that they were granted the title "27th Inniskilling Regiment". It was not until 1st July 1881 they became the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

The Royal Ulster Rifles & The Royal Irish Fusiliers were both formed in September of 1793 as part of the Expansion of the English Army because of the threat of a French Invasion.

The Royal Ulster Rifles - 83rd Regiment was raised in Dublin on the 1st July 1881. They were then Amalgamated with the 86th to become the Royal Irish Rifles.

In January of 1921 The Royal Irish Rifles became the Royal Ulster Rifles, the Irish being Solemnly laid to rest in a mock funeral complete with firing party, band and bugles. The Adjutant conducted the Ceremony of Interment.

The Irish Fusiliers - 87th Regiment were also raised in Dublin after capturing the Eagle Standard of the 8th French Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Borrosa in March 1811. They were granted the title "The Prince of Wales Own Regiment". Their title changed to the Royal Irish Fusiliers in November of 1827.

On the 1st July 1881 they were Amalgamated with The 89th to become The Princes Victoria's Irish Fusiliers.

These 3 Regiments Between them were awarded 157 Battle Honours, among these are Borrosa, Waterloo, The Somme, Cassino and Imjin. Out of the 17 Victoria Cross's awarded, four were won on The Somme on the 1st July 1916. A day which has rightly been described as one of the British Army's Darkest Days.

Reform within the Army led to the Amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers with The Ulster Defence Regiment, on the 1st July 1992, to become the Royal Irish Regiment. However Cadet units in Northern Ireland still proudly wear The Royal Irish Rangers Caubeen and Cap Badge.

Motto: Faugh-A-Ballagh (Clear the way)

Q. March: Killaloe
S. March: Eileen Allanagh

Regiment Mascot: Brian Boru (Irish Wolfhound