The Annual WW1 Remembrance Ceremony for the Men and Women of Inishowen will be held in Fort Dunree on the Inishowen Peninsula on Sunday June 28th at 2.30pm.

This event has been running for the past 5 years and is organised by the Inishowen Friends of Messines.

It will be followed by a light meal and refreshments and all are welcome.

Buses will be run from the RBL Waterside (please leave your name on the notice board) and further buses may be organised from Belfast which I will publicise here.

We look forward to welcoming all GWF members and friends, please introduce yourself on arrival (i'm the good looking bloke giving the orders!) and we'll have a couple of jars afterwards in the canteen.

For directions to Fort Dunree go to the site www.dunree.pro.ie

Hi folks,
Looks like theres going to be a record crowd on Sunday with nearly 4 buses from Belfast, and buses also from Portadown and Omagh as well as Derry and the local Donegal crowd. Fort Dunree is quite spectacular when the sun shines and I'd be delighted to welcome any Pals along. There will be a light meal served after the ceremony about 4 O Clock and the Laurentic Bar are setting up a wet canteen too. Try and aim to be here for 2 O clock if you need a seat.
Hopefully I'll get a few photos posted next week.

Fearghal.

The 5th Annual Inishowen Remembrance Service for the Inishowen men and women who died in WW1 took place on Sunday in Fort Dunree.
In beautiful sunshine an estimated crowd of over 500 people attended the ceremony which has now established itself as a key event in the calendar in the North West.

The event was opened by the Buncrana Accordion Band who lead guests into the old Fort and played a selection of tunes from their All Ireland winning repertoire. The guests were then welcomed by the Chairman of Fort Dunree Mr John McCarter who handed over the mic to the MC for the afternoon, PJ Hallinan.

One of the innovations in the ceremony this year was the attendance of a flute band from Bangor, Co Down who played a number of hymns. This band had never performed in the Republic of Ireland before and their presence was a reflection on the progress that has been made to improve relations between the two main traditions in Ireland over the past decade.

After a short interchurch service the 248 names on the Inishowen Roll of Honour were read by 15 different readers from around the peninsula including both the outgoing and incoming Mayors of Buncrana, Dermot McLaughlin and Cllr Lee Tedstone who read the Buncrana list. Each reader was accompanied by Tracey McRory who played a number of slow airs on the harp which added to the atmosphere of remembrance and loss.

The Last Post was played by Chris Berry on trumpet and a lone piper from the Tullintrain Pipe Band played the lament while wreaths were laid by 14 different organisations including the Buncrana Town Council, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, the Waterside Branch of the Royal British Legion, The Royal Naval Association, Londonderry Branch, the Lough Swilly RNLI, Sydenham Branch RBL, and the Inishowen Friends of Messine.

The event was then closed by the Chairman who thanked in particular the Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation Partnership and the Peace III Programme who have provided funding for both the ceremony and a series of other peace related events that will be rolled out over the next 12 months.

At the end of the ceremony guests had the opportunity to mix in the sunshine while they were entertained by bands representing both traditions in Ireland, the descendants of both the 16th Irish and 36th Ulster Divisions who died side by side with each other at the Battle of Messine over 90 years ago.

Innishowen, thanks for the report. Would've loved to have been off work this weekend to attend. Are you aware if any forum members were able to make it? Any chance of some photos?

the very best of luck to you and your days in the future


reconciliation indeed

Hi Folks,
I hope to have some photos online soon, I've been on leave for the past month due to the birth of our son Eoghan.

Congratulations on the new arrival.
Regards,
Murrough.

Hello Inishowen. I seen last years events on Nationwide and its a credit to you. Some of our Lebvet/Living history friends were there and gave glowing reports.
The best of luck with it this year.
Kind regards.
Tom.

Now its a long time since ive been in the RBL Waterside