A number of medals were issued which could be worn by members of the Irish police forces. Eligibility to wear a medal was given only in certain specific circumstances, but the most common medals encountered are those issued to mark the Visits to Ireland of Their Majesties Victoria, Edward VII and George V. These marked no more than presence on official duty, but as an award given direct by the Monarch they ranked (at that time) as important medals and took precedence over other army or campaign medals.
There is no official roll whereby the names of an individual can be checked for medal entitlement. Only the 1900 and 1903 medals were named (rank, initial and surname only); whereas the 1911 medal was not named at all. The following gives some idea as to the type, and reason, for a medal to be awarded.
I would be particularly interested in knowing if any of these medals survive in family possession, with a view to building up a nominal roll.
To commemorate the Royal Visit to Ireland of Queen Victoria in 1900 and that of King Edward VII in 1903, special bronze medals were struck and issued to Irish Police Forces on duty at those times. A silver medal was issued in recognition of the Visit of King George V to Ireland in July 1911. The exact terms of the awards varied and were notified in the Royal Irish Constabulary Lists as follows:
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S VISIT TO DUBLIN, APRIL 1900
By Command of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and in gracious recognition of the services rendered by both Forces on occasion of Her Visit to Ireland from 3rd to 26th April 1900, a Commemorative Medal has been issued to all officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police who were then on duty in Dublin. The Medal is also held by the members of the Civil Service staffs of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police Offices, Dublin Castle. The Medal, specially designed at the Royal Mint, was struck in bronze, and its design consists, on the obverse, of the effigy of Her late Majesty, with the legend "Victoria Regina"; and, on the reverse, of the figure of Erin welcoming the arrival in Kingstown Harbour of the Royal Yacht with the Queen on board. At Erin's feet lie her Harp, with shamrocks and roses. Below, in the exergue, is the date "1900". The brooch by which the Medal is fastened is also of special and appropriate design.
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE VISIT OF KING EDWARD VII TO IRELAND, 1903
By Command of the King a bronze Commemorative Medal has been issued to all Officers and Men of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were on duty in places visited by Their Majesties the King and Queen on the occasion of the Royal Progress through Ireland in July and August, 1903. The Medal is also held by those Members of the Civil Service Staffs of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police Offices, who were actually on duty at Dublin Castle during the Royal Progress.
The obverse of the Medal bears the effigy of His Majesty, as designed for the London Metropolitan and City Police Medal struck in Commemoration of the Coronation; it is inscribed Edwardus VII. Rex. Imperator. The reverse is identical with that of the Medal struck for presentation to the Irish Police on the occasion of the visit of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria to Ireland in 1900, save that "1903" is substituted for "1900".
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE VISIT OF KING GEORGE V TO IRELAND IN 1911
By Command of His Majesty a silver Commemorative Medal was issued to all Officers and Men of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, who were then on duty in Dublin. The Medal is also held by the Members of the Civil Service Staffs of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police Offices, Dublin Castle.
The ribbon of the 1911 Visit Medal is dark green flanked by two red stripes, reflecting the colours of the RIC.
Queen Victoria's Visit to Ireland 1900
Obverse:
Reverse:
King Edward's Visit to Ireland 1903
Obverse:
Reverse:
King George V's Visit to Ireland 1911
Obverse:
Reverse:
The 1911 Visit medal was designed by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, whose initial 'B.M.' appear on the lower right front.
