An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin
Mary Timmons, Assistant Private Secretary to An Taoiseach: "The Taoiseach
has asked me to say that he enjoyed reading your book and he would like to take
this opportunity to wish you well with this project."
Minister
for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank
you again for this submission and I look forward to its addition as a secondary
source of material in the Military Archives library … it will be available in the
Military Archives reference library which is arranged alphabetically by author,
so your research will be filed under “MCV”.”
Professor Diarmuid Ferriter, Historian, University College Dublin
Thank you so much for sending me the O'Doherty book. Warmest congrats on what looks like an important step in the rescuing of your grandfather from the cold hand of history and I applaud your hard work + research.
Sean Ryan, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association: "Had
the pleasure of reading the book, very informative and well constructed, well
done."
Liz Gillis Historian in residence at South Dublin County Libraries: Brilliant, thank you and well done.
Ireland’s Own published an article in the St. Valentines special edition, Bookshelf, page 88, E-zine issue 5855.
Wayne Fitzgerald: Well done, I’ve shared with the Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann ONE Veterans Charity members.
Pat O'Meara: Tom O' Doherty was the leader and conductor of St. Peter's brass and
reed band which were based in Belfast. After negotiation with the new free
state military authorities the entire band boarded a
train in Belfast and arrived in Dublin. They were inducted into the free state
army en bloc on the 1st February 1923 on a 1 year contract. Tom O' Doherty was
appointed with the rank of Sgt. Major and later promoted to Captain. After a
year the older members of the band were demobbed and the younger ones joined
the new Army School of Music which was based in the Curragh under Col. Fritz
Brase and Capt. Christian Sauerzweig. Photo St Peter's band in Free State
Uniform with Capt. Tom O'Doherty 1923.
John Crowley from Midleton Co.Cork. My
friend purchased your book for me I started reading it last night.
Congratulations on the lovely book and research. Like most people i would have
had the official promotional information regarding the founding of Army School
of Music, e.g. government of the day making the provision to set up the school,
the search for director to France and Germany. I’m big into band research etc,
having played in a Band since my national school days. In the band programmes
for concerts, I’ve collected over the years, i remember saying to myself that
very little information was given re the early years. It is great that your
book has been produced and sets the record straight, congrats again. I do hope
that the school and the three army bands will acknowledge your research when
producing future programmes.
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