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In a Service of Re-dedication on 7th April 2001, the Regimental Colour of the 27th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Irish) was laid up in the Cathedral. On 16th September 2003, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, unveiled a plaque to honour the Tyneside Irish Brigade.

Brief history of the Tyneside Irish Brigade

Regimental Colour
In the days when battle was conducted at close quarters, it was necessary for soldiers to be able to determine where, during the heat of battle, their regiment was. This was done by the regiment carrying its colours into battle. The colours are a set of large flags, unique to each regiment, that the ordinary soldier would be able to identify straight away. However, as time passed, the colours took on a more mystical significance than as mere identifying markers on the battlefield; they became the heart of the regiment, in which all of its history was woven. Such became the significance in this context that, for a regiment to lose its colours was (and still is) a major disgrace, with the capture of an enemy's colours (or equivalent) being seen as a great honour. Consequently, whenever the colours are paraded, they are always escorted.

Laying up
When a regiment is awarded new colours or is disbanded, the old colours are laid up; this means that they are taken for display in a sacred place (for example a church) and are never again paraded by the regiment.

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, unveiling plaque of dedication