This illuminated address was presented to Sergeant W. A. Ballantine, Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) on his transfer to another district by members of the local community of Falcarragh in Co. Donegal.

“Dear Sir, we, the inhabitants of Falcarragh and neighbourhood, having learned with regret that you are about to be transferred from Falcarragh, consequent on your marriage, cannot allow you to sever your connection with this district without testifying our own high appreciation of the straight-forward conscientious and impartial manner in which you have discharged your various duties while stationed here. Your courteous and invariably civil and considerate bearing towards the public, as well as your capacity, intelligence and assiduity in the discharge of your duties, have won for you universal esteem and regard….”

The RIC had a strict code of conduct for its officers. The Code of Regulations stated that members of the force could not marry until they had served at least seven years in the force. A fiancée had to be vetted by the constabulary authorities before a marriage could take place. Members of the RIC were required to serve in counties where neither they nor their wives had relatives or close friends.

The peaceful period between the mid-1880s and 1916 enabled relations between the RIC and the public to improve. The force was able to focus on normal policing duties which brought its members into daily contact with the local community. RIC men were good customers of local businesses, they read letters and helped fill in official forms for those who could neither read nor write. Many newspapers carried stories of presentations made to members of the RIC on their transfer or retirement. Individual policemen such as Sergeant Ballantine were highly regarded and respected and often received goodwill gifts of drink, potatoes, eggs and turkeys, geese or chickens at Christmas.