Memorial planned to honour Irish victims of Vietnam War

Co Clare is to be an unlikely location for a €140,000 war memorial to the 29 Irish men who died in the Vietnam War.

Most served with the US army, while a smaller number were in the Australian army. Some 2,500 Irish soldiers served in US and other armies in Vietnam between 1959 and 1975.

The project is being led by the Irish Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project in conjunction with the Ennis Civic Trust, which has built an extensive trail of sculptures around the town over the past 22 years.

The budget for the monument is €110,000, with an additional €30,000 for landscaping. The memorial was first proposed by Matthew Carroll of the veterans’ project.

In a statement, the IVVMP said: “It is envisaged Irish families whose loved ones served in South East Asia would come to remember them at the memorial. It is intended that the memorial would be a suitably reflective space which would afford all visitors with an opportunity for quiet reflection and meditation.”

IVVMP states that it is “very cognisant of the sensitivity surrounding any war memorial and acknowledge that every war brings with it huge human suffering for all nations involved.

“While acknowledging this fact, the IVVMP wish to recognise the Irish men and women who lost their life, as well as those who served and may be in need of advocacy and support.

“They emphasise that the proposed memorial is dedicated to those Irish who served and lost their lives during military service in South East Asia and is not intended as a war memorial.

“The sculpture piece should, in some way, acknowledge Irish participation in these events during that time, while also reflect the loss to Irish families of loved ones, many of whom had emigrated for economic reasons. It should be reflective of the human price paid by both the Irish men and women involved and their families. It should also express or reflect a pride in those who served.”

The memorial will list the 29 dead and the inscription: “The people of the Allied Nations express their heartfelt gratitude for the service and sacrifice of those above and to their families, loved ones and the Irish Nation.”

The monument will be located in Monastery Park.