SEPTEMBER 2009

Donegal remembers World War I

The launch of two books and a conference to be addressed by a number of prominent speakers will form the basis of world War I commemoration events in Letterkenny's Mount Errigal Hotel, on Wednesday 23rd September.

Organised by former Dial Deputy Paddy harte, who has been instrumental in establishing a cross-border initiative to help remember the Irish dead in the war of 1914 - 1918, the special conference gets underway at 3.30pm and will highlight ways of promoting tours to the sites and memorials in Belgium and France. "We hope to set up a committee that will structure ways of putting these trips into operation. We'd like groups to attend events on St. Patrick's Day, on the anniversary of the Battle of The Somme, and on Armistice Day each year," said Mr. Harte.

The fourth edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour will be launched to coincide with a new book written by Paddy Harte which chronicles the building of the Island of Ireland Peace Park in the Messines region of Belgium.

The conference will be presided over by County Mayor, Cllr. Bernard Bryne while the book launches, scheduled to get underway at 7.30pm. will be presided over by Letterkenny Town Mayor Cllr. Jim Lynch.

Four bands, who led the inaugural St. Patrick's Day parade to Flanders and the Somme back in 2007, will perform on the day, including the World Champion,Thiepval Memorial Band from Convoy, the Ulster Scots Bready and, St. Naul's Inver Pipe band and the St. Joseph's brass band, Strabane.

Members of the Christian Brothers Past Pupils and the Sperrin Choirs under the baton of Joe Cauley, who will also act as M.C., will lead the attendance in the singing of popular songs that were recited during the First World War.

Everyone is welcome to attend the conference and the book launches.

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