On Sunday evening, overlooking the River Erne and with the late winter Fermanagh sun setting over Enniskillen, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (2 R Irish) laid their Colours to rest at the Inniskilling Museum within the grounds of Enniskillen Castle.

The Colours were officially marched off parade for the final time in front of thousands of spectators at the Titanic Slipway, Belfast, on September 22, 2018, and are now safely accommodated at the very spot where the regiment was first raised in 1689.

Speaking at the museum, the soldier responsible for the drill and ceremonial aspect of the momentous parade, Regimental Sergeant Major Christopher Rushton, said: "We are delighted to finally get the opportunity to lay up our Queen’s and Regimental Colours, made all the more unique as it will take place here at the birthplace of the regiment.

"The pandemic has thwarted and delayed our plans over the past two years, but we are now in a position to say farewell to them in an appropriate and fitting manner; and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Irish Regiment."

The history of the Colours date back to ancient times when armies carried an identifying emblem. In Ireland, a clan chief’s banner was carried into battle by a standard bearer, as was common in many countries and places at the time.

The use of the word 'Colours’ in such a context first appeared in 16th Century Europe and came to be associated with the ‘King’s Flag’, first regulated in 1747.

Today, the modern Colour carries a number of the battalion in the centre of the Queen’s Colour, and in the upper section, nearest the pike on the Regimental Colour.

The motto of the Royal Irish Regiment, 'Faugh a Ballagh', or ‘Clear the way’, is emblazoned on the Regimental Colour.

Lt. Col. Simon Baxter, Commanding Officer of 2 R Irish, who will shortly relinquish command of the battalion, said: "Laying the Colours to rest will be a reflective and emotional ceremony for all of us.

"They are the spirit which binds us together, and an enduring memorial of sacrifices made, not just by the soldiers, but also the friends and families of service personnel, and those veterans that have similarly served under them.

"I feel a deep sense of privilege and honour as we lay them up at the same place where the regiment was raised by Colonel Zachariah Tiffin more than 330 years ago."

Commenting on all the hard work that has gone into putting the parade together, Officer Commanding ‘C’ Company, Major Darren Anthony, said: "The Regimental Sergeant Major has put us through our paces and worked us all very hard, preparing for this important and historic parade.

"All the soldiers on parade have gone the extra mile in getting ready for this, and they fully understand the magnitude and meaning a moment in time like this has. It truly is a once in a generation opportunity to be involved in."

The Colours' new home will be the Inniskilling Museum where they will be available for viewing by the general public.

A member from the board of the Inniskilling’s Museum Trustees, whose guardianship the Colours have been entrusted into, said: “These Colours are the embodiment of the regiment they represent; of service and of duty.

"They are important to all; to those serving, veterans, families and supporters. We are privileged to be their custodian.

"The Laying up of Colours is a significant occasion, an opportunity for us to gather in honour and respect, here at the home of the antecedent regiments, continuing an unbroken line from 1689 – 332 years and counting!”