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 12 July 2014.
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 bookrooms in the gardens,
Major Sean Murphy BEM, Chairman of the Royal British Legion, gave the Welcoming Address.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Councillor Christy Burke Lord Mayor of Dublin, 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 Colonel Bill Gibson (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 The Lord Mayor, Minister, Ambassadors, Regimental and Veterans Associations, civil organisations and members of the public laid wreaths.
Francis Ledwidge’s poem “A Soldiers Grave” was recited by Mr Kevin Myres.
The Exhortation and Dedication were made by Major-General The O’Morochoe CB CBE.
Music was provided by the Band of the 1 Brigade under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast, and the voices of the Tramore Ladies Choir under the direction of Paula Gordon.
