Ireland's Military Story

Category: Battle of the Somme

  • Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    Updated 13:07, 24 November 2021

    The centenary of the Ulster Memorial Tower was commemorated this morning in Northern France.

    Inaugurated on 19 November 1921, the Ulster Tower at Thiepval on the Somme commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers from Ulster and across the island of Ireland during the First World War. The Ulster Tower stands on the ground attacked at great cost by the 36th (Ulster) Division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.

    The combined musicians of the Bugles Pipes and Drums, Regimental Band of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Defence Forces 2nd Brigade Band, march on the standards provided by members of the Royal British Legion.

    This morning’s commemoration was attended by dignitaries including First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan MLA, Ireland’s Minister of State Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne TD, British Ambassador to France Her Excellency Menna Rawlings and Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in Paris Owen Feeney. The service was led by Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Rev. Dr. Sahr Yamhasu, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; and The Most Revd. Francis John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh.

    The ceremony was supported by the Bugles, Pipes and Drums and the Regimental Band of the British Army’s Royal Irish Regiment and by the 2nd Brigade Band of the Irish Defence Forces. The military musicians were accompanied by mezzo-soprano and alto Emma Brown who sung You’ll Never Walk Alone.

    Following the ceremony First Minister Mr. Givan said: “It’s an honour for me to be here today on this historic occasion to mark 100 years of the Ulster Tower which memorialises the sacrifice that was made by the men of the 36th Ulster Division and remembers those who served from right across Ireland in the First World War.”

    “The connections with the Ulster Division and the Irish Division is something that we always need to remember, where people stood side by side irrespective of their religion or indeed their identity, whether they were British or Irish, they shed blood together here in the trenches and stood in common cause for the freedoms that we enjoy today.”

    Reiterating the importance of today’s commemoration Minister Thomas Byrne stated: “It is an honour to be here at the Ulster Tower. It is essential that we commemorate all those who died in battle during World War One, knowing that the soldiers that are commemorated here are from all nine counties of Ulster and many are from across the island of Ireland North and South fought in World War One and died in World War One. It is critical that we continue to honour their memories and to work always for peace and reconciliation both at home and indeed across the globe.

    Today’s event was organised by the Somme Association, based in Newtownards, County Down, who are responsible for the maintenance of the Ulster Tower.

    As the combined Royal Irish Regiment and Defence Forces bands marched from the Ulster Memorial Tower at the end of the centenary commemoration last week to the tune of On Raglan Road, it was a moment to reflect on the importance on the occasion. The Ulster Memorial Tower stands tribute to those from the province of Ulster, in particular to members of the 36th Ulster Division, who fought during the Great War and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today it is sacred ground.

    Ulster Tower Centenary Album

    Ulster Tower Memorial Centenary 19 November 2021 Thiepval , France, Photos by John O’Byrne
  • Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Project Updates – Ireland’s Great War

    Photos by Terry Healy

    With Covid restrictions easing we are recommencing our projects. We recently spent the day in the The Somme Association & Somme Museum with Carol Walker Director of the Somme Association, working on a multimedia project dedicated to Ireland and the Great War.

    This project is supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

  • Annual Somme Commemoration Belfast

    Annual Somme Commemoration Belfast

    Annual Somme Commemoration, Belfast City Hall

    Photographs by John O’Byrne

    1 July is a poignant day in military history. On that day in 1916, the 141 days of the Battle of the Somme began. Nine corps of the French Sixth Army and the British Fourth and Third armies attacked the German 2nd Army. It was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army – of the 57,470 British casualties, 19,240 men had been killed. the 36th (Ulster) Division had over 5,000 casualties; 2,069 of whom were killed. All three regiments were awarded the Battle Honour ALBERT 1916.

    Wreaths were laid earlier today at the Cenotaph, Belfast City Hall, for the annual Somme commemoration in remembrance of all those who lost their lives.

    The photographs below show the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Kate Nicholl accompanying Danny Kinahan, NI Veterans Commissioner; Maj Philip Morrison, Royal British Legion President NI and Lt Col Ken Martin, Royal British Legion President RoI.

    Thank you to The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office for their support. Thank you to Belfast City Hall/Council for their permission to attend today’s event.

    Danny Kinahan, NI Veterans Commissioner
    Maj Philip Morrison, Royal British Legion President NI and Lt Col Ken Martin, Royal British Legion President RoI.

  • Round Table Discussion in the Somme Museum

    Round Table Discussion in the Somme Museum

    Roundtable Discussion in the Somme Museum

    Mrs Carol Walker MBE, Director of the Somme Association and Museum; Professor Brian Walker, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queens University; historian Dr. Brendan O’Shea; and Wesley Bourke, CEO The Irish Military Heritage Foundation.

    Spent a very enjoyable and engaging day in the Somme Museum discussing future projects supported by the Dep. of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, focusing on Ireland and the Great War, and exploring Irish identity, diversity and reconciliation. Thank you to the museum staff for their hospitality.

  • Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying

    Photographs by John O’Byrne and Niall Keating

    The Annual Ceremony of Commemoration and Wreath-laying took place today at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge. Due to Covid 19, restrictions were in place and a smaller ceremony was held in the Rose Garden.The event was arranged and led by the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland District with the co-operation and assistance of the OPW – Office of Public Works. The ceremony corresponds with the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and commemorates those who lost their lives in the two World Wars, in particular the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the Ireland who served and died in those conflicts.

    Representation from all parts and traditions of the Island of Ireland is a key feature.The ceremony commenced at 12.30 pm. Unfortunately, due to restrictions there was no colourful parade of standards this year. An ecumenical service of remembrance, recitals and music and the laying of official wreaths by members of the government and civic leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service and veterans’ representatives.Music was provided by Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces and the Royal Irish Regiment.

    The event was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance, Jack Chambers TD, DCOS Support Major General Seán Clancy, British Ambassador to Ireland HE Mr. Robin Barnett CMG.German, Ambassador to Ireland HE Ambassador Deike Potzel, New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland HE Brad Burgess, French Ambassador to Ireland HE Mr Stéphane Crouzat, First Secretary Embassy of Australia Mr Rober Owen-Jones, The President The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland, Lt. Col. Ken Martin,The President, The Royal British Legion, Northern Ireland, Major Philip J. Morrison MBE BEM.

    The service was given by the Church of Ireland Rector of Kindle Rev Peter Rutherford.

  • Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying Irish National War Memorial Gardens

    Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying Irish National War Memorial Gardens

    Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying – Irish National War Memorial Gardens

    Photographs by Ken Mooney and Wesley Bourke

    The annual ceremony of commemoration and wreath-laying at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge is arranged and led by the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland District with the co-operation and assistance of the Irish State. This major Battle of the Somme anniversary event commemorates those who lost their lives in the two World Wars, in particular the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the Ireland who served and died in those conflicts. Representation from all parts and traditions of the Island of Ireland is a key feature.

    The ceremony commenced at 12.30 pm with a colourful parade of the standards of Royal British Legion, regimental, ex-services organisations and commemorative associations. This was followed by an ecumenical service of remembrance, recitals and music and the laying of official wreaths by government and civic leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service and veterans’ representatives.

    Music was provided jointly by bands from the 1st Brigade of the Irish Defence Forces and the Royal Irish Regiment.

    Some special guests this year include: Lt. Gen. James Bashall (National President) & Mrs Bashall, Mr Charles Byrne Director General TRBL and Maj. Gen. David Jolliffe IEST.