Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny will attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on Sunday. The County Fermanagh town, which was hit by two of the worst bombing outrages in the history of the Troubles, will mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA Poppy Day bomb blast that claimed 12 lives.
According to the BBC on the same day an Irish government minister will participate in the annual Remembrance Day service for the war dead in Belfast, for the first time in the history of the state.
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore is scheduled to lay a wreath at Belfast City Hall cenotaph. The annual Belfast ceremony is jointly organized by Belfast City Council and the Royal British Legion.
In January of this year the council passed an unprecedented resolution inviting the Irish government to participate in events to mark both the anniversary of Battle of the Somme and Remembrance Sunday.
On 1 July Irish Minister for Transport Alan Kelly became the first member of the Republic's government to take part in the annual Somme commemorations at Belfast City Hall. Kelly laid a laurel wreath at the cenotaph in memory 'of those lost a the Battle of the Somme, on behalf of the government of Ireland.'
Speaking at the the ceremony at the time, Kelly said it was important to 'acknowledge the sacrifices that have been made, not just in this jurisdiction but also the Republic.' Soldiers from both the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) divisions fought in the battle between 1 July and 13 November 1916.
Over over 3,500 Irish soldiers died at the Somme. Nearly 2,000 soldiers from cities, towns, villages and town lands of the North were killed in the first few hours. The 16th Irish Division had 4,330 casualties, of whom 1,200 were killed. These came mainly from the other three Irish provinces.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.IrelandNorth | Nov 12, 2012, 08:26 AM EST
Interesting to note that national schizophrenia was already setting in, with artificial distinctions between the 6th Ulster and 32nd Irish Divisions. And a considerable time before the partition of Ireland was solemnised in a coerced treaty. Still, that was then - this is now! Encouraging to see national reconciliation and insular convergence with Taoiseach and uniformed Irish Army aid-de-campe in Northern Ireland, and the attractive British Secretary of State for NI lauding this new entente cordiale. Remembrance Day Sunday should remember the what and the why of the Abrahamic aberration that was WWI? Not just the who, where, and how! The slaughter of such innocent many young men of 20 demands it. Yes to peacekeeping. No to imperialism.
aloistmartin | Nov 11, 2012, 08:19 PM EST
There are places in the World; Where at this self same moment, the Peace, Freedom, and Democracy, “Brokered” by The United States Army, is nothing more than a cheap Cable Television Horror Movie ! Solidarity to all Euro and Global, Republican, Green, Socialist, Marxist, and Revolutionary Cause ! Support the Arab Winter !
seanomelb | Nov 11, 2012, 05:43 PM EST
Typical Fine Galer some balance and an attendance at a bloody Sunday service would enhance is Irishness the hypocrite.
irishfree1916 | Nov 11, 2012, 12:00 PM EST
The Fools the Fools the Fools!
Paul Hogan | Nov 11, 2012, 11:10 AM EST
They Died because they had no money.They who died were the poorest of the poor.Kenny's Blueshirts faught with Franco and the Bishops to kill the poor.What a hypcrite.
Towngate | Nov 10, 2012, 04:21 PM EST
Kenny should be establishing a Rememberance Ceremony in Dublin for the Irish who fought with Britain and saved all of Europe from Facism.
aloistmartin | Nov 10, 2012, 04:11 PM EST
Stay on the Right Side of the Street Mr. Kenny !