OCTOBER 2007

Inishowen's war dead remembered

Robert Thompson, Northern Irish author, has written a book about Inishowen's dead from World War I. The official launch of the book, entitled Inishowen's Heroes, will take place at Fort Dunree on Sunday 3rd November at 3pm.

It is estimated that 224 men and two women from Inishowen fought and died in the First World War. Over the last three years Mr. Thompson has delved into the stories of these people. PJ. Hallinan, chairman of Inishowen Friends of Messines, a group set up in 2004 to commemorate Inishowen's war dead, said the book would be another step on the road to reconciliation in Ireland. "This is the first time a book has been written that's totally dedicated to the fallen of Inishowen. Robert has drawn on some of the work we have done, but has unearthed some interesting anecdotes of his won, which have gone into the book. The book will be valuable to the families of those who died, but interesting to a wider audience."

A small ceremony of remembrance will be held at Fort Dunree on Sunday ahead of the major ceremony of remembrance at the cenotaph in Derry the following day, at which a member of Inishowen Friends of Messines will parade the tricolour and lay a wreath at the foot of the memorial.

Mr Hallinan says he's heartened that the subject of Irish people who fought for the British Army in the World Wars is no longer taboo. "I am very pleased at the recognition the fallen heroes are now getting, it has fulfilled a dream for me, because I was very angry that there was so little recognition for the families of Inishowen who gave their sons and daughters. This book will keep alive the memory of those who had long been forgotten."

Copies of Inishowen Heroes will be available for purchase at Dunree Fort on the 3rd November.

Back