Since its inception in 2012, the Decade of Centenaries programme has sought to be measured and reflective in commemorating significant events that shaped the history of the island of Ireland during this decade one hundred years ago.
The offensive on the Somme, in the Picardy region of northern France, formed the British contribution to a wider allied offensive against German forces in 1916. The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days, during which British forces suffered 420,000 casualties, making it the most costly military action that they participated in during the First World War. The French suffered 220,000 casualties, while the Germans suffered as many as 500,000 casualties. Approximately 3,500 soldiers from the island of Ireland, serving in the 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions lost their lives.
The principal commemoration for the Battle of the Somme took place at the Thiepval Memorial on 1st July 2016, jointly hosted by France and the United Kingdom. Ireland was officially represented at the event by the President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Higgins.
A military ceremony, conducted by the Óglaigh na hÉireann – the Defence Forces, took place at 0720hrrs on Saturday 1 July at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, honouring the first shots of the Battle of the Somme and the Irish Regiments who fought in the First World War. Personnel of the Defence Forces carried the Flags of the 16th Irish Division and 36th Ulster Division.
A series of commemorative stamps will be launched by An Post later in 2016.
Commencing on 1st July, the Glasnevin Cemetery Trust is presenting an outdoor exhibition with a focus on the 36th Ulster Division, changing in September to reflect the participation of the 16th Irish Division.
The Courts Centenary Commemoration Committee will host an event on Wednesday 27th July 2016 to remember those members of the Irish legal profession who died during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The event will commence at 1700hrs in the Supreme Court, Four Courts, Dublin 7. It will include talks by representatives of the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, and the Law Society of Ireland followed by a reception in The Distillery Building of the Bar of Ireland, Church Street, Dublin 7.
Free entry with ticket. Apply by email to courtscentenaryevents@courts.ie.
The Somme Association will hold its major annual event in Guillemont on 3rd September 2016 to marks the participation of the 16th Irish Division which saw action during the first weeks of September.D
During the month of July, commemorations have been held in towns and cities in Northern Ireland and at Dublin’s War Memorial Gardens.
On Saturday 9 July 2016, the State’s Commemoration of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, took place in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. Copies of the eight volume Irish National War Memorial Records were laid on the Stone of Remembrance. These honour the 49,400 Irishmen who died in the First World War.
Rev Fr Seamus Madigan, Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces recalled Irishmen who died in the Battle of the Somme who should be remembered with “sorrow and gratitude”. “It is never too late to say thanks to honour their sacrifice.”
The flags of the eight combatant nations in the Somme and the flags of the three Irish divisions, the 10th (Irish), the 16th (Irish) and the 36th (Ulster) were paraded by personnel of the Defence Forces. Royal British Legion Branches from Ireland and Branches from Northern Ireland, paraded their Standards at the ceremony.
The Parade Commander was Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Hunt, Oficer Commanding 27 Infantry Battalion. Captain Ciara Gubbins, read extracts from Marshal Foch’s tribute of Irish Soldiers in the First World War. Captain Stephen O’Byrne raised the National Flag from the Half-mast position, his great-great uncle was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. C/S Kevin Dunkan, Senior Pipe Instructor played a lament titled “The Battle of the Somme”.
Music, including the Last Post, Reveille and the National Anthem, was provided by the Band of the 1 Brigade and a Piper from the School of Music under the direction of Captain Brian Prendergast, and the Choirs from Mount Sackville and Scoil Mhuire were conducted by Vivienne Hassell.
President Michael D. Higgins laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish people. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP laid a wreath on behalf of the British government and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Wreaths were laid by the ambassadors on behalf of the countries involved in the First World War: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Presidents of the Royal British Legion also laid wreaths.
Among those in attendance were the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Belfast, Ministers Francis Fitzgerald TD, Heather Humphreys TD, and Charlie Flanagan TD, two former Presidents – Dr Mary McAleese and Dr Mary Robinson and the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Mike Nesbitt.
The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust was represented by its Chairman Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), Lieutenant-Colonel Eamonn Fogarty (Retd), Lieutenant-Colonel Tom Halligan (Retd) and Commandant Lar Joye.
The Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar TD joined Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston at the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Belfast Cenotaph.
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