Irish Regiment of Canada

Irish Regiment of Canada
Regimental badge
Active1915–present
CountryCanada
BranchCanadian Army
TypeLine Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part of33 Canadian Brigade Group
Garrison/HQSudbury, Ontario
Motto(s)Fíor go bás (Irish for 'faithful until death')
March"Garry Owen"
Engagements
Battle honoursSee #Battle honours
Commanders
Colonel-in-chiefCharles III
Insignia
HeaddressCaubeen
TartanO'Saffron

The Irish Regiment of Canada is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based in Sudbury, Ontario. It is part of the 4th Canadian Division's 33 Canadian Brigade Group. Currently one battalion of the regiment exists.

The Irish regiment was founded in 1915 with headquarters in Toronto. The modern incarnation was formed in Sudbury in 1965 by the conversion of the 58th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA, which became 2nd Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada. At the same time, the original battalion in Toronto was reduced to nil strength and placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle as the 1st Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada.[1][2]

In 1931 they became the only kilted Irish Regiment in the world with the adoption of their unique tartan often called "O'Saffron"[3] designed by Thomas Gordon Ltd. of Glasgow. (Irish regiments in the British Army utilize kilted pipers wearing a solid-coloured saffron kilt.)[4] They also share the caubeen headdress common to other Irish regiments.

  1. ^ "The Irish Regiment of Canada". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  2. ^ Defence, National (2018-10-25). "2nd Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  3. ^ O'Saffron
  4. ^ "Tartan Details - The Scottish Register of Tartans". www.tartanregister.gov.uk. Retrieved 2021-11-27.