Wexford village to commemorate World War II bombing

A new memorial garden will be officially opened on Saturday, August 28, in Campile Village, County Wexford to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the village.

The garden is located where, up until recently, the Shelburne Co-Op and its creamery stood. The co-op will be forever remembered as the link between County Wexford and the occupation of Europe in World War II when the co-op was bombed on August 26, 1940, by the Luftwaffe.

The whole of Ireland was rocked to its core as four German bombs were dropped on this peaceful village and three young, well loved local women were killed and the Shelburne Co-Op Creamery was completely destroyed.

The building was extensively damaged but an absolute disaster was avoided only by chance as, minutes before the bombs fell, the co-op’s canteen was full with around 40 workers having their dinner.

Sadly, Sisters Mary Ellen, 30 and Kitty Kent, 26 and Kathleen Hurley, 27 were in that very location when the bombs fell.

The site was acquired by local building firm, John Somers Construction Ltd, for redevelopment.

He proposed that a memorial garden be provided on the site as part of the redevelopment.

John Somers, Managing Director of the company, then donated the site for the memorial garden to the local community.

A number of local people from the Campile Historical Society and Campile Development Committee came together to form the Campile Memorial Group with the objective of providing the Memorial Garden and organising the Memorial Day.

The group commissioned a County Wexford Artist, Ciaran O’Brien, to design and produce the artwork for the garden. The stones have been carved out of rare marble called Breccia Medicia and were carved on location in Cararra, Italy.

The memorial garden will be officially opened by Mr. Sean Connick, TD and Minister for State and the German ambassador Mr Busso von Alvensleben will also be in attendance.