V Beach, 25th April, 1915: “the Dubsters”.

Two Irish Regiments of the British Army were chosen to be part of the hazardous first landing at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. Their casualties were so great that the two reduced battalions were jointed together, and became known as the ‘Dubsters’.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND

PREAS RÁITEAS THAR CEANN ARD-MHÚSAEM NA hÉIREANN

22nd April 2015

V Beach, 25th April, 1915: “the Dubsters”.

                       The Royal Munster Fusiliers in Rangoon in 1912.
                                    (National Museum of Ireland)

Two Irish Regiments of the British Army were chosen to be part of the hazardous first landing at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. Soldiers of the Royal Munster Fusiliers and Royal Dublin Fusiliers were packed into the converted collier, River Clyde, and into open boats rowed by sailors. Both units where serving in India when the war started.

               The River Clyde after the assault, showing the exposed
                 ramps on the bow. (Copyright Imperial War Museum)

As they tried to land on the tip of Gallipoli (at a place designated V Beach) the soldiers were slaughtered by the fire of the Turks manning the high ground. Their casualties were so great that the two reduced battalions were jointed together, and became known as the ‘Dubsters’.

                        Ship’s wheel and lamp from River Clyde
        (Loan: National Army Museum) on display in Soldiers & Chiefs.

The wheel and lamp of the converted collier River Clyde are on display at the Soldiers & Chiefs Exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland. The ship was the key to the landing on V Beach at Cape Helles. Packed with about 2,000 soldiers (including Munster & Dublin Fusiliers) the ship was supposed to bring them close enough to shore that they could overwhelm the Turkish defenders. Well trained and equipped Turkish soldiers left the assaulting troops exposed to intense fire – several hundred soldiers were shot down or drowned trying to reach the beach. The Royal Dublin Fusiliers had 25 officers and 987 soldiers one only 1 officer and 374 made it to shore.

The Royal Navy presented parts of the ship to the two Irish Regiments and this wheel and light were presented to the Royal Munster Fusiliers. Later the ship itself was refloated and survived until 1966 when she was scrapped despite efforts to preserve her. The National Army Museum in London has kindly lent the items to the National Museum of Ireland and in 2013 author and historian; Fintan O’Toole used them in his book the “History of Ireland in a 100 objects”. http://www.100objects.ie/portfolio-items/91-lamp-from-river-clyde/?portfolioID=1182

Dr Andrew Horne, a doctor with the Royal Army Medical Corps, was also stationed in Gallipoli from 1915 to 1916 but he served on W beach. His position next to the battlegrounds enabled him to take unique images of the battle in progress such as shell bursts on the beach, and the conditions under which the medical corps operated under. These photographs are also on display at the National Museum of Ireland.

Events

Pals - The Irish at Gallipoli

                          7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers leaving
                the Royal Barracks (now Collins Barracks) on 30th April

Wednesday 1st April to Thursday 30th April, during opening hours (see below for specific times)

Adults

Tickets: 5 euro, Performance

As part of the Museum's WW1 centenary programme, award-winning innovators ANU Productions present an immersive World War I experience, based on the events surrounding the campaign at Gallipoli in Turkey and inspired by the previously untold stories of the 7th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the everyday lives of the Irish people who were affected by the Great War. The project is a partnership between ANU Productions, the National Museum of Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and is supported by the National Archives of Ireland.

Performances will run Wednesday - Saturday: 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.00pm

Sunday - 2.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.00pm.

Tickets: 5euro.

For More Information and Tickets: www.pals-theirishatgallipoli.com

Public Tour of 'Recovered Voices'

Sunday 10th May, 3 – 4pm and Friday 29th May, 12am – 1pm

Adults & Young People 14yrs+

Free Event, Tour

Join Lar Joye, curator of 'Recovered Voices: Stories of the Irish at War 1914 - 1915' on a personal tour of this recently launched exhibition.

No booking required, places allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before talk starts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maureen Gaule, Marketing Executive, Marketing Department, National Museum of Ireland

T: 01 648 6429 | M: 087 9031690| E: mgaule@museum.ie

Admission to the National Museum of Ireland is Free

Open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm

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