It was only after reading the full text of the sign on the screen when reviewing the blog that another question came to mind?
What is a Defence Forces holiday?
I had never heard of such a holiday but the web did reveal some forum discussions informing that members of the Defence Forces get three days holidays in addition to public holidays:
2nd Wednesday in May – 1916 Commemoration Day
11th July – National Commemoration Day, and
15th August – Feast of the Assumption
My limited knowledge of the Days of Commemoration is of parades and guards of honour and the like – so I had thought it was a normal working day but where different duties were performed.
The religious day appears to be a throw-back to a different time.
If the army were being set up now, I wonder how many, if any, Defence Forces holidays would be provided.