MHIT’s Donation – Ginchy Cross Project
A Vision to Protect and Preserve a Symbol of All-Island Military Heritage and Remembrance for Future Generations
The Ginchy Cross is a symbolic artefact of significant historical all-island military heritage and remembrance.
For many residing on the island of Ireland and elsewhere, the Ginchy Cross is a precious and unique relic from the First World War and is on permanent display in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin.
Following its repatriation to Ireland, the Ginchy Cross became the most significant symbol of Irish remembrance of the First World War. From 1924 to 1939, it was the cenotaph and focal point for the annual November Remembrance (Armistice) Ceremony, initially with a replica Ginchy Cross, constructed in granite, in College Green (1924) and in St Stephens Green (1925), and after that with the original Ginchy Cross in the Phoenix Park.
Up to 2022, the Ginchy Cross was the focal point of remembrance for congregations from Ireland and Northern Ireland participating and attending shared ceremonies, conducted in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, and in particular, the Annual Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland).
Reflecting both an all-island dimension, and a France – Ireland dimension, the Irish National War Memorial Trust is undertaking a project will involve the production of an exact replica of the Ginchy Cross, with oak timber coming from the grounds of the Ulster Tower Memorial in France courtesy of the Somme Association.
On completion, the replica Ginchy Cross will be placed on permanent display in the North- East Bookroom of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, allowing the Trust to transfer the original Ginchy Cross for permanent display in a safer and more suitable environmentally controlled location, within the National Museum of Ireland’s Soldiers’ and Chiefs’ Exhibition, in Collins Barracks, Dublin.
Following a decision of the Directors of the Irish Military Heritage Trust CLG, a contribution of €2,000 was made towards the production of the replica Ginchy Cross.
In acknowledging the donation, the Secretary of The Irish National War Memorial Trust requested Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd) “to convey to the Officers, Committee, and members of the Irish Military Heritage Trust CLG our sincere appreciation of your contribution to this important project, which secures the future of the original Ginchy Cross as an irreplaceable artifact, and enables the creation of a replica Ginchy Cross, embedding and sustaining the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for future generations.”
As a token of the Trust’s gratitude and appreciation of this generous donation, the title of The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG will be recorded on a display panel alongside the replica Ginchy Cross in the National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, in due course.
Link to Overview of The Ginchy Cross: Overview of The Ginchy Cross (01 Sep 24)
