The Glorious 17th Infantry Battalion

Written by Longford native and long-time Irish Defence Forces member Hugh Farrell, this delves into ‘The Glorious 17th Infantry Battalion’, which served in various different iterations from 1922 until disbandment in 2005.

This book details the history of the 17th Infantry Battalion and Reserve Defence Forces in County Roscommon, along with counties Leitrim, Longford and West Cavan, where both their triumphs are tragedies are highlighted.

Histories of the Battalion’s six companies, including C Company, Strokestown and D Company, Roscommon Town are included, featuring detailed accounts of personnel, training, competitions along with many other aspects of the respective companies.

Over 300 pictures are featured in the book, along with a special chapter remembering ‘Men from the Midlands’ who took part in the Siege of Jadotville. May of those who soldiered at Jadotville served time at the 17th Battalion, one of them being the late Michael Tighe from Elphin.

Author Hugh Farrell served in the Defence Forces in Longford and knew many in the 17th Infantry Battalion. He is one of Longford’s most dedicated local historians and is a former chairperson of County Longford Historical Society. He is currently the chair of the Peter Keenan Branch of the ONE.