President Commemorates British War Dead

A ground-breaking war veterans' commemoration dedicated to those Irish men who fought - and often died - in the service of the British forces was officially opened today.

Irish President Mary McAleese inspected a 100-strong guard of honour of the Irish Defence Forces as part of the launch of the Mayo Peace Park, Castlebar.

Ambassadors from several countries, representatives of the Irish Government and army and regimental associations from Ireland and Britain were present for the impressive ceremonies.

The Mayo Peace Park commemorates the thousands of Irish citizens who went to fight in the 'Great War', 1914-18 and later, after partition, in WWII, a group which long went unrecognised, with general opinion being against those who served with the British.

The publication last year of the landmark book 'Mayo Comrades of the Great War', by PJ Clarke and Michael Feeney, has been instrumental in getting the Mayo Peace Park initiative into national view.

According to Michael, what had for long been a "taboo subject" in Ireland was finally out in the open, and the young men who had been written out of history were finally given a place in the nation's roll of honour.

He said there was now growing international interest in the opening of the Mayo Peace Park: "For the first time, Mayo families are able to come forward and reclaim the recognition due to those men who had marched away as heroes, only to return to a country where attitudes had changed and where their bravery was no longer acknowledged or even to be talked about," said Michael Feeney, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster today.

The ceremony included readings from the Roll of Honour, a Drum Head Blessing, music from the Western Brigade Band as the Presidential Guard of Honour formed up when Mary McAleese arrived to undertake the official opening.

Wreaths were laid and the 'Last Post' sounded before the commemoration concluded.

Meanwhile, next month will see the latest of a series of now annual events that already commemorates the sacrifice made by soldiers from across Ireland during World War One.

Ex-service organisations from both north and south - including the IEA - will meet in Drogheda, Co Louth on Saturday 1 November for the only annual all-Ireland remembrance event.

Last year, among those attending were representatives from Co Antrim, headed by members of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion, which has supported the revival since it was originally restarted five years ago.

This year's event at the war memorial in Mary Street, Drogheda, is expected to again attract hundreds of people and included an inter-denominational religious ceremony and a bugler playing the Last Post.

The cross-border event was first initiated by former Drogheda mayor and historian Sean Collins, who has regularly visited Whiteabbey Royal British Legion to liaise with officers on increasing levels of co-operation in cross-border initiatives.

See: Irish Pay Tribute To WWI Soldiers

See: mayomemorialpeacepark

(BMcC)