A flag officer who spent more than 40 years in the Naval Service was granted a full ceremonial parade in Co Cork yesterday to mark his retirement. Commodore John Kavanagh's fleet staged a sail-past in his honour at Haulbowline naval base in recognition of his long and varied career in the service.
He received a full salute before the revelry began, courtesy of the band of the 1st Brigade, under the baton of Capt Liam Daly.
Commodore Kavanagh, who is the most senior officer in the Naval Service, joined as a cadet in 1959 and progressed through the ranks, eventually serving in command of the naval flagship LE Eithne.
He has seen many changes in the service - when commissioned in 1961 just three steam corvettes were in operation. From Cobh, Co Cork, he was a member of the government-appointed search- and-rescue board which led to the setting up of the Irish Marine Emergency Service.