National memorial set for Merrion Square

The first-ever national memorial to Irish soldiers who died on duty will be sited in Dublin’s Merrion Square, it emerged today.

The €175,000 euro project is expected to be in place by the end of the year, according to Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea.

Artist Brian King won an open tender competition to create the Defence Forces memorial, beating off 30 other artists from Ireland, Britain and Germany.

“Many states have a national memorial located in their capital city, such as the Cenotaph in London or Arlington National Cemetery in Washington,” said Mr O’Dea.

“There is no public memorial in Dublin dedicated to members of the Defence Forces who have died in service.”

Members of the Defence Forces who have died in service are remembered annually in July on the National Day of Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Ceremonies are also held annually in all military barracks throughout the country on November 2, which is the traditional day of commemoration for deceased members of the Defence Forces.

“It is my intention that the annual commemoration for deceased members of the Defence Forces would take place at the new national memorial in future,” added the minister.

“The national memorial will be an appropriate prominent public monument to reflect the sacrifice made by members of the Defence Forces and their families.”