In August of 1977 at
the Maine Muster in Windham, New Hampshire, Bill Knowles and Fred Lawson
rolled out our first cannon and proceeded to scare the target. When the
announcer asked who they were so he could inform the crowd, Fred answered
" The Royal Irish Artillery". The only thing they knew at the
time was that the unit did exist, and were in North America during the
American Revolution. By the way, there were three cannons competing in
the event, and the Royal Irish received the fourth place ribbon. We learned the R.I.A. had been in
Castine, Maine in 1779 and several of us were on the executive board to
re-do the "Penobscot Expedition" in 1979. We decided to recreate
the unit formally. We finished our second gun in 1982 and 1983 saw our
first cannon trailer. The "Parade Gun" was the product of every
Tuesday night from November ‘84 to July ‘85. During the same time frame,
members of the Northern Battery in Maine built our Howitzer. That summer
in Damariscotta, we fielded all four pieces with two guns on each side.
" We have met the enemy and they are us" became our war cry. In the mid 1980’s, we found that
cities, towns, and organizations would pay to have us and the cannons.
We have done countless parades. We have performed the 1812 overture with
the Boston Pops and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. We have also played
with the Boston Youth Symphony. 1994 brought two commercials from Ford
and Maxwell House.. Every fourth of July, we fire the salute to the U.S.S.
Constitution at her turn around cruise. In the ensuing years, we have gained
new members, more knowledge, a large library and a lot of enjoyment. Most
importantly, we have gained a reputation as a safe and hard fighting unit.
As we start our 21st year, we would like to thank our friends in other
units in the hobby, (even the French!). UP THE IRISH ! ! ! Highlander: " Are you guys the Royal Irish ?"
Irish: " Yup"
Highlander: " Are you on our side?"
Irish: " Yup"
Highlander: " Thank God !"
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