“Take care of what we started”
The story behind the kit
Ballyclare Comrades was founded in 1919 by returning soldiers from the First World War, primarily by members from C Company of the 12th Royal Irish Rifles, and by members from the local Comrades of the Great War Association.
The columns on the shirt are a reference to the Cunningham Monument, which was erected in 1854 in honour of local philanthropist and doctor, James Cunningham. The column was located in the modern-day Town Hall carpark and features in many photographs and paintings from the time. As Ballyclare grew in size and the years progressed, the column was demolished in 1951, becoming a lost piece of Ballyclare heritage (pictured below).
Within the columns contains the logo of the Royal Irish Rifles. First founded in 1881, they were sent to modern -day South Africa for the 2nd Boer War in 1899.
At the outbreak of World War One, the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (RIR) was formed by many men from Ballyclare and the surrounding area, classified as Central Antrim. They landed landed at Boulogne-Sur-Mer in France in October 1915 as part of the famed 36th Ulster Division. They suffered heavy casualties on 1st July 1916 as part of the 36th Ulster Division’s during the Battle of the Somme. After the war, the Royal Irish Rifles was reorganised into the Royal Ulster Rifles, seeing action at Cambes-en Plaine in Normandy shortly after the D-Day landings.
The inclusion of their badge in our shirt is a statement of our recognition and everlasting gratitude for those who served in the World Wars, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Below:
Badge of the Royal Irish Rifles
Painting of the Cunningham Monument
Close-up of the Home Kit, showing the RIR badge inset the Cunningham Monument
