Menu
02/11/2011
Ambassador To Join Cross Border WWI Event
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne this weekend to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
Julian King, British Ambassador to the Irish Republic will jointly lead a Ceremony of Remembrance with Kevin Callan, the Mayor of Drogheda before joining a major conference on the Great War that will be held in the town's Westcourt Hotel.
Taking place on the weekend of the 5th/6th November it remembers "the Drogheda men who never came home" alongside the Irishmen from what is now Northern Ireland with former servicemen and women from the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), and a large contingent of members from Whiteabbey Royal British Legion in Co Antrim in attendance.
Details have just been revealed of this major development that follows over a decade of cross-border co-operation that also involves ex-servicemen from the Irish Defence Forces organisation, ONE, with around 200 people, north and south to watch the laying of wreaths at the Drogheda War Memorial in Boyne-side Mary Street.
For the past few years, the Irish Tricolour has been dipped alongside the Royal British Legion's standards - incorporating the Union Flag - in what is now part of the Louth constituency of Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.
That's just ahead of the traditional 'Remembrance Sunday' events across the UK, with the Drogheda Great War conference promising to be a major event too.
Facilitated by the Drogheda Cross Border Focus group and led by a former mayor and long-term friend of Northern Ireland ex-service groups, Sean Collins, the original 11am wreath ceremony and inter-denominational service is now seeing a major expansion.
Queen's University's Professor Keith Jeffries, journalist Kevin Myers and Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland are just some of those taking part in the two-day event and dinner.
Sean Collins, who has been closely involved in celebrating the role of Irishmen in the British forces for over a decade now, said that a special visit would round off the event.
"There's an organised trip to the memorial for Drogheda soldier, Lieutenant Emerson at nearby Collon.
"He won the Victoria Cross in the WWI conflict and quite rightly is recalled with a picture and memorabilia in Whiteabbey Royal British Legion, which I spotted when on a visit there years back," he said.
"Out of that came the initial contacts that led to a small party of ex-soldiers from Co Antrim coming to Drogheda with the whole thing now happily developing into a far greater event to rightly recall the sacrifice of these often forgotten Irishmen."
James Emerson was 22 years old, and a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers) when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line north of La Vacquerie, France.
However, he died in action that same day and his name is inscribed on the war memorial at the Church of Ireland parish church at Collon, County Louth and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing in France.
(BMcC)
Julian King, British Ambassador to the Irish Republic will jointly lead a Ceremony of Remembrance with Kevin Callan, the Mayor of Drogheda before joining a major conference on the Great War that will be held in the town's Westcourt Hotel.
Taking place on the weekend of the 5th/6th November it remembers "the Drogheda men who never came home" alongside the Irishmen from what is now Northern Ireland with former servicemen and women from the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), and a large contingent of members from Whiteabbey Royal British Legion in Co Antrim in attendance.
Details have just been revealed of this major development that follows over a decade of cross-border co-operation that also involves ex-servicemen from the Irish Defence Forces organisation, ONE, with around 200 people, north and south to watch the laying of wreaths at the Drogheda War Memorial in Boyne-side Mary Street.
For the past few years, the Irish Tricolour has been dipped alongside the Royal British Legion's standards - incorporating the Union Flag - in what is now part of the Louth constituency of Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.
That's just ahead of the traditional 'Remembrance Sunday' events across the UK, with the Drogheda Great War conference promising to be a major event too.
Facilitated by the Drogheda Cross Border Focus group and led by a former mayor and long-term friend of Northern Ireland ex-service groups, Sean Collins, the original 11am wreath ceremony and inter-denominational service is now seeing a major expansion.
Queen's University's Professor Keith Jeffries, journalist Kevin Myers and Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland are just some of those taking part in the two-day event and dinner.
Sean Collins, who has been closely involved in celebrating the role of Irishmen in the British forces for over a decade now, said that a special visit would round off the event.
"There's an organised trip to the memorial for Drogheda soldier, Lieutenant Emerson at nearby Collon.
"He won the Victoria Cross in the WWI conflict and quite rightly is recalled with a picture and memorabilia in Whiteabbey Royal British Legion, which I spotted when on a visit there years back," he said.
"Out of that came the initial contacts that led to a small party of ex-soldiers from Co Antrim coming to Drogheda with the whole thing now happily developing into a far greater event to rightly recall the sacrifice of these often forgotten Irishmen."
James Emerson was 22 years old, and a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers) when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 6 December 1917, on the Hindenburg Line north of La Vacquerie, France.
However, he died in action that same day and his name is inscribed on the war memorial at the Church of Ireland parish church at Collon, County Louth and on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing in France.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 June 2009
Knockagh Remembrance Recalls Somme
Soldiers from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme are being remembered this weekend. Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh - it will be held on Sunday 28 June.
Knockagh Remembrance Recalls Somme
Soldiers from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme are being remembered this weekend. Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh - it will be held on Sunday 28 June.
10 October 2011
UK Ambassador To Honour Irish Soldiers
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
UK Ambassador To Honour Irish Soldiers
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
05 November 2007
Irish Pay Tribute To WWI Soldiers
The sacrifice made by soldiers from across Ireland during World War One has been remembered at a special ceremony in the Republic. Ex-service organisations from both north and south met in Drogheda on Saturday for the only annual all-Ireland remembrance event.
Irish Pay Tribute To WWI Soldiers
The sacrifice made by soldiers from across Ireland during World War One has been remembered at a special ceremony in the Republic. Ex-service organisations from both north and south met in Drogheda on Saturday for the only annual all-Ireland remembrance event.
20 June 2008
Somme Commemoration For Knockagh
The first of as series of commemorations to recall the thousands of WW1 Irish Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division who died fighting between 1 July and 13 November 1916 in the Battle of the Somme will be held this Sunday.
Somme Commemoration For Knockagh
The first of as series of commemorations to recall the thousands of WW1 Irish Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division who died fighting between 1 July and 13 November 1916 in the Battle of the Somme will be held this Sunday.
08 March 2010
Legion Remembers Murdered Sappers
Members of the Royal British Legion, flanked by standard bearers, have laid poppy wreaths at the gates of a NI army base where two soldiers lost their lives exactly a year ago. The solemn memorial service was held yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of two soldiers shot dead by dissident republicans.
Legion Remembers Murdered Sappers
Members of the Royal British Legion, flanked by standard bearers, have laid poppy wreaths at the gates of a NI army base where two soldiers lost their lives exactly a year ago. The solemn memorial service was held yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of two soldiers shot dead by dissident republicans.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
