Original British Victorian Royal Irish Regiment Named Officer Uniform – Circa 1881 – 1902 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Dating between 1881-1902 this fine tunic is in very good condition and features original gilt Royal Irish Regiment buttons with Queen’s Crown dating this tunic between 1881 – 1902. Front of tunic has 8 buttons by JENNENS & Co. of LONDON , epaulets are gilt braided with one pips and a crown indicating rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The collar has two silvered Royal Irish Regiment Officer Pins with Latin Motto – “Virtutis Namurcensis Praemium” Translation- Reward for valor at Namur (Belgium). Inside lining shows wear and use but overall condition is very good. There is a tailor’s name tag stitched into the neck that reads: Capt. G. F. R. Forbes. Also included red striped blue trousers.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 26.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 17”
Waist width: 15”
Hip width: 17”
Front length: 30″

The regiment was not fundamentally affected by the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, which gave it a depot at Victoria Barracks in Clonmel from 1873, or by the Childers reforms of 1881 – as it already possessed two battalions, there was no need for it to amalgamate with another regiment. Under the reforms the regiment became The Royal Irish Regiment on 1 July 1881. It served as the county regiment of Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny. Militarily, the whole of Ireland was administered as a separate command within the United Kingdom with Command Headquarters at Parkgate (Phoenix Park) Dublin, directly under the War Office in London.

The 1st Battalion was stationed in British India and Afghanistan from 1875 to 1884, when it were transferred to Egypt to take part in the Nile Expedition. It was back in home barracks from 1885 to 1891, then in Ireland until it was sent to South Africa as part of reinforcements for the Second Boer War in late 1899. The battalion took part in several battles, and played an important role at the Battle of Slabbert’s Nek in July 1900 during the war.

The 2nd Battalion saw action in Egypt during the Anglo-Egyptian War in 1882. From 1884 it was stationed at Malta, then in India where it had various postings, including the last in Kamptee until it returned home in late 1902.