Plans to develop memorial for Irish veterans

Ambitious plans to develop an interpretive centre and a memorial to honour Irish soldiers who have served in armies around the world over the last four centuries have been unveiled.

The Irish Veterans, part of the Irish Veterans Historical Research Centre, said as well as recording the stories of Irish soldiers since 1600 — around the time of the Flight of the Earls — they have a long-term plan to build an Irish veterans’ memorial, museum and information centre on a greenfield site in Kinsale, Co Cork.

They are due to present their vision next week to Defence Minister Simon Coveney, who is anxious to capitalise on the tourism potential of Cork’s rich military heritage through the development of sites such as Camden Fort and Spike Island.

There is still a “huge national blindspot in Irish history” about the Irish contribution to modern conflict, veterans’ spokesman James Sikora said.

“We should be proud of them and their stories. We must be brave enough to address historical reality, not hide from it. We need to hear these stories to better understand ourselves.”

The association says it has already secured an agreement in principle from the US government to provide display items.

The harbour town was chosen for the flagship development because of its significant military history and its high tourist footfall.

The interpretive centre, which could be a massive tourist attraction and create jobs, will need significant funding, but Mr Sikora said they believe their dream is “not only possible, but inevitable”.

The association first plans to undertake a mammoth historical research project on the countless Irish men and women, and those of Irish descent, who served, and who are still serving, in various military forces from 1600 to the modern time.

The non-sectarian, non-denominational group hope to collect, archive and make available their stories to create a “cohesive understanding” of the Irish contribution to the military shaping of the modern work.

“Our aims are to commemorate the fallen and those who have served, educate the public and unite all who identify themselves as Irish and who are military veterans, or who are interested in our shared history,” Mr Sikora said.

“We want to use Irish veterans as a force for Irish reconciliation and to emphasise our shared military experiences, as well as that of the diaspora.

“We do not seek to glorify war, but to remember and relate the Irish experience of conflict, and examine the sociological forces responsible for these individuals leaving Ireland to fight for others.”

He encouraged people with stories or artefacts to contact them.

The group is now actively seeking sponsors, networking opportunities and philanthropic donations to drive their project forward.

They hope to secure a small commercial property in Kinsale from where the association will be run.

In 2012 the group created a “pop-up” museum in the Temperance Hall, in Kinsale, displaying combat uniforms and equipment.

- Irish veterans website