The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland District, hosted its Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin, on Saturday 11 July 2015. The event commemorates all those who lost their lives in the World Wars, in particular the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from the island of Ireland who served and died in both wars.
Designed by the memorialist Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Memorial Gardens are dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who died in the 1914 – 1918 war. The names of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite book rooms in the gardens, Lieutenant-Colonel Ken Martin Chairman of the Royal British Legion gave the Welcoming Address.
Photo: Danny Tiernan
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh Lord Mayor of Dublin, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Arder Carson, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, members of the Oireachtas, the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the Defence Forces, representatives of Regimental Associations and Veterans Associations, and a considerable number of relatives of those who served in World War 1 and the Second World War.
The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust was represented by its Chairman Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), Brigadier-General Jim Saunderson (Retd) and Lieutenant-Colonel Eamonn Fogarty (Retd)
Royal British Legion Branches from Ireland and Branches from Northern Ireland, along with other Regimental Associations and Veterans Associations paraded their Standards at the ceremony.
The Right Reverend Monsignor Eoin Thynne Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces and The Venerable Christopher Long MBE Archdeacon of Ferns were the Officiating Clergy
Under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, the Lord Mayors, Minister, Ambassadors, Defence Forces, Royal Irish Regiment, Regimental and Veterans Associations, civil organisations and members of the public laid wreaths.
The Exhortation and Dedication were made by Major-General The O’Morchoe CB CBE, President of The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland.
Music, including the Last Post, Reveille and the National Anthem, was provided by the Army Number 1 Band and a Piper from the School of Music under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Armstrong, and the voices of the Tramore Ladies Choir under the direction of Paula Gordon.
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When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today”
(Kohima)
