Cities remember Irish lives lost during wars

THE Lord Mayor of Cork led a multi-faith ceremony yesterday as the city marked the national day of commemoration for the first time.

Cllr Terry Shannon inspected a military guard of honour drawn from the 1st Field Artillery Regiment based at Collins Barracks before laying a wreath at a new plaque unveiled in Fitzgerald Park to honour all Irish people who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.

Fred Rosehall, representing the Jewish faith, Fr Sean Donoghue, representing the Roman Catholic faith, Valerie Fletcher, representing the Presbyterian church, and Rev Daniel Nuzum of the Church of Ireland led prayers according to their own traditions.

A minute’s silence was observed before trumpeters from the Barrack Street Band, under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast, sounded the Last Post.

The national flag was hoisted to full mast before the trumpeters sounded the Reveillee and Majella Cullagh sang the national anthem.

The national day of commemoration had been held for over 20 years.

But yesterday was the first time national commemoration ceremonies were held outside Dublin. Cork joined Galway, Sligo, Kilkenny and Waterford in honouring the dead.

Military historian and author, Gerry White, a member of the Cork branch of the Western Front Association — the first Irish branch of the association — welcomed the decision to hold such commemorative events in the regions.

“A lot of families mightn’t be able to get to Dublin and it’s great to make it available in other centres around the country,” he said.

“It’s a very moving ceremony and it’s very appropriate because it gives families the chance to, in a tangible way, remember those who died on oversees service or in foreign wars.”

Mr White, who edited The Great Sacrifice, which chronicled the names of some 3,780 service men from Cork who died in the First World War, said: “That’s a staggering figure. In terms of loss of life, this is the greatest tragedy this county has seen since the Famine.

“And they’ve all been forgotten about because of the political situation and the course of Irish history.

“But thankfully, that’s changing and it’s great that we can all remember them in a ceremony like this.”

Meanwhile, in Limerick, city mayor Cllr Jim Long laid a wreath in memory of the dead.

Prayers were said by representatives of the Catholic, Jewish, United Presbyterian and Methodist churches in Limerick, and from the Church of Ireland and the Islamic communities.

Veterans and their families, as well as the community, attended the event.

Mr Long said he was deeply moved by the event, which he hopes will be marked annually. “It’s an honour to honour those who fell and died for our country. They always say it’s a huge honour to serve your country, but when you die for your country there are no words that can befit that,” he said.

The 12th Infantry Battalion at Sarsfield Barracks also participated in the ceremony, while the music was provided by The Watch House Cross Community Choir, the Mid West Vocal Academy and Boherbuoy Band.