The Inniskillings Museum is located on the 15th Century keep of the Enniskillen Castle and adjoining buildings, in County Fermanagh. It was originally the Regimental Museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In recent years, a major redevelopment of the Museum took place, including the inclusion of the history of the Inniskilling Dragoons.
Published in 2014 under the auspices of The Inniskillings Museum, “The Fermanagh War Memorial Book of Honour 1914 – 1921” tells the story of Irish Soldiers whose names are inscribed on the Fermanagh War Memorial. For completeness, the publication also lists men with Fermanagh connections who died in the First World War, but are not recorded on the War Memorial.
In his Foreword, Professor Keith Jeffery, Professor of History, Queen’s University, Belfast, inter alia:
“Certainly, the sheer number of individuals listed [on war memorials] and often the repetition of family names, give us pause to reflect on the specific circumstances involved: Who are they? Where did they come from? Where (and how) did they die? And, if they have a grave at all, where are they buried?”
“Now in this marvellous volume we have many of the answers to these questions. A series of impressively researched biographies bring to life in a sad, poignant and precious way, those forebears, brothers, husbands, sons, friends and lovers, whose lives were untimely taken in what turned out not to be the war to end war”
In addition to the well researched and detailed biographies of individual Irish Soldiers, “The Fermanagh War Memorial Book of Honour 1914 – 1921” includes information on the causes of the First World War, the Irish Divisions, The Inniskilling Regiments in the War, the story of the Fermanagh War Memorial, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Military Awards, Medals and Decorations, and an Index of the 582 names on the Fermanagh War Memorial.
Under the Chair of Richard Bennet, the editorial committee included John Deering who is a Director of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust (CLG). Those providing financial assistance included the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Fermanagh District Council, the Northern Ireland War Memorial and numerous Regimental Associations.
And now I’m drinking wine in France,
The helpless child of circumstance,
Tomorrow will be loud with war,
How will I be accounted for?
Francis Ledwidge 1887 – 1917
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 31 July 1917, near Ypres
The Inniskillings Museum can be contacted at 00 44 (0) 28 6632 3142.
Visit the Museum online – www.inniskillingsmuseum.com
