Celebrating heroes: New-found maturity

Given the appalling attitude which officialdom in this country once had towards Irish people who joined the British army, it was heartening to see their memory warmly embraced in yesterday’s National Day of Commemoration, along with that of all Irish men and women who died in wars around the world or on service with the United Nations.

Symbolising Ireland’s new-found maturity, multi-faith services were held in Dublin, where President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish people, as well as in Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Limerick, Galway, and Sligo.

On the centenary of the beginning of the First World War and with 1916 coming up, it would be hard to overstate the importance of remembering and celebrating the names of all those who gave their lives so that others might live in peace.