Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying – 13 July 2024
The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland District, supported by the Irish Government, hosted its Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin, on Saturday 13 July 2024, with the cooperation and assistance of the Irish Government. Representation from all parts and traditions of the island of Ireland is a key feature of the ecumenical ceremony.
The ceremony commemorates all those who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and in the two World Wars; especially the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women who served and died in those conflicts.
Last month, ceremonies took place on France, the UK and Ireland marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France. On 6 June 1944, 150,000 soldiers, including personnel from across Ireland, serving with British, US and Canadian units, landed on five beaches in Normandy. The largest amphibious operation in the history of warfare played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe. Normandy was added to other Allied frontlines in North Africa and Italy.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens are dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who died in the 1914 – 1918 War. For the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying, the eight volume Irish National War Memorial Records, normally located in the Bookrooms, were laid on the Stone of Remembrance. These Memorial Records consisting of almost 3,200 pages, with illustrations by Henry Clarke, were completed in 1923 under the auspices of The Irish National War Memorial Trust, recording, honouring and humanising 49,435 Irishmen who died in the First World War.
The ceremony’s Presiding Officers were: Mr Jason Coward, National Chairman, Royal British Legion; Mr Mark Atkinson, Royal British Legion Director General; Lieutenant-Colonel Ken Martin (Retd), President Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District); Mr Paul Stephenson, Chairman, Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland); and Mr Steven Lee, Chairman, Poppy Ireland & National Trustee, Royal British Legion.
Reverend Peter Rutherford, Chaplain to the Royal British Legion, (Republic of Ireland District) and formally Assistant Chaplain General HM Forces, and Reverend Fr David Murphy Chaplain to the Defence Forces, were the Officiating Clergy. The Parade Marshal was Mr Ciaran Crone.
The flags of the three Irish divisions which fought in the Battle of the Somme: the 10th (Irish), the 16th (Irish) and the 36th (Ulster) were flown at the Great Cross. The Irish Flag, the Flag of the United Kingdom, and the National and District Standards of the Royal British Legion were on parade. During the ceremony, the Royal British Legion Branches from Ireland, and Branches from Northern Ireland, paraded their Standards.
Mr Paul Stephenson, District Chairman of The Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District), gave the Welcoming Address. Brigadier John Graham OBE DL FFPH, Royal British Legion (Northern Ireland District) gave the Somme Address. The ceremony was held in the presence of government and civic leaders, members of the Oireachtas, the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the Defence Forces, Royal British Legion Branches, Regimental Associations and Veterans Associations, and a considerable number of relatives of those who served in World War 1 and the Second World War.
Link to Somme Address: Somme Address by Brigadier John Graham OBE DL FFPH (13 Jul 24)
The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust was represented its Chairman Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd). Directors in attendance included Mr Philip Hamell and Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd).
Under the direction of Mr Paul Stephenson, District Chairman, the Lords Mayor, Ministers, Ambassadors, Defence Forces, Royal British Legion, Regimental and Veterans Associations, and relatives laid wreaths at the War Stone.
- They included, The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Micky Murray, the Lord Mayor of Derry Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr; the Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Dan Boyle, the Mayor of Waterford Councillor Jason Murphy; Minister Seán Fleming T.D., representing An Taoiseach and the Government of Ireland; Ms Michell O’Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland Executive; HM Lord Lieutenant for the County of Antrim David McCorkell KStj; Colonel Mark Campbell CBE DL, representing HM Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast; HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the County of Tyrone, Graham Dodds MBE.
- Ambassadors who laid wreaths included: H.E. Mr Paul Johnston, British Ambassador; Ambassador of Australia H.E The Hon Gary Grey AO; H.E Mrs Karen Van Vlierberg, Ambassador of Belgium; Ambassador of The Netherlands H.E. Ms Maaike van Koldam; H.E. Mr Pavel Vosalik, Ambassador of The Czech Republic; Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Louis Telemachou. Representatives of Ambassadors included: New Zealand; Canada; United States of America; Federal Republic of Germany; Ukraine, South Africa and Kenya.
- Wreaths were laid by: Mr Ian Quick, Representative Office of the Welsh Government in Ireland; Director General of The Royal British Legion Mark Atkinson; the District President, The Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland) Lieutenant-Colonel Ken Martin (Retd); Brigadier-General Rossa Mulcahy representing the Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces; Commissioner Drew Harris OBE KPM, An Garda Síochána; Mr Danny Kinahan Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd) Irish National War Memorial Trust, and Mrs Carol Walker MBE Somme Association.
- Wreaths were also laid by Service Charities in Ireland; Branches of The Royal British Legion; UK Armed Service Veterans Associations; Defence Forces Veteran Associations; Leopardstown Park Veterans Support Group; Combined Irish Regiments Association; Historical Associations of the Disbanded Irish Regiments; Civil Associations; and Schools.
Music, including the Last Post, the Rouse and the National Anthem, was provided by the Band of the 2 Brigade under the direction of Captain John Carpenter, with Pipers and the Band of the 2 Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment under its Bandmaster WO1 Richard Douglas MBE.
Vocalists from The Brook Singers led by Duncan Brickenden, accompanied by the combined military bands, led in the signing of “Be Though My Vision”, “We’ll Meet Again” and “Eternal Father Strong to Serve”. The Piper’s Lament was rendered by Company Sergeant Kevin Dunkan, Senior Pipe Instructor, Defence Forces School of Music.
The Lesson was read by Mr Mark Atkinson, Director-General, The Royal British Legion. The Exhortation and The Dedication were delivered by Mr John Coward, National Chairman, The Royal British Legion.
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today”
(Kohima)
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served in the vicinity of the Temple.
