Spring Lecture Series: “Soaring Shamrocks” Irish Pilots of the Battle for Britain

The Battle of Britain was a pivotal air campaign that took place between July and October of 1940. The battle followed the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the Fall of France, as Germany made plans to gain air supremacy in preparation for an invasion of Britain.

Of the roughly 3,000 allied pilots who took part, eleven were from Ireland. Until recently only of one the Battle of Britain pilots survives – an Irishman, from Dublin, aged 105.

Squadron Leader Ronan Carey (born in Athlone and grew up in Waterford), currently serving with the Royal Air Force will deliver a presentation on these Irish pilots. As the dedicated liaison officer for the “Last of the Few”, Ronan will bring the battle to life through the story of these young men and particularly through the life of Irishman “Paddy” Hemingway who died on March 17^th 2025 at the age of 105. This promises to be a fascinating lecture.