A NUMBER of key events are taking place across the Southside to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One.
Already Trinity College has been hosting the World War 1 Roadshow entitled
‘Europe Goes to War, Ireland’s Part’ in partnership with RTÃ? Radio 1 and the National Library of Ireland.
Ireland’s part in the war was explored through a series of pop up talks and lectures on the Great War that included music, drama and literature.
One of the main features was a Family History Collections Day of World War 1 memorabilia where members of the public were invited to bring in items, letters and mementos related to the war for digitisation and archiving by a team of experts.
Last week the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral launched a specially commissioned monument and exhibition to mark the centenary.
The
‘Lives Remembered’ exhibition is themed around remembrance of those affected by conflict, not only in World War One but also in any context.
At the centre of the new exhibition is a monument called the Tree of Remembrance’, on which members of the public are invited to tie their own messages of remembrance.
Speaking at the launch, Andrew Smith, Education Officer at St Patrick’s Cathedral, said:
“This exhibition marks the centenary of World War One and also gives visitors an opportunity to remember people who have been affected in any conflict situation.
“The idea is that the new commemoration tree will serve as a monument for people to connect with when remembering loss of life through conflict or war.
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He added:
“The tree itself is made of sculpted steel and surrounded by barbed wire, which we hope will serve as a reminder of the ugliness and brutality of conflict.
“Visitors to the cathedral are invited to tie small tags to the tree, with thoughts, memories or prayers for loved ones lost or affected by conflict.
The
‘Lives Remembered’ exhibition will build on St Patrick’s Cathedral’s historic reputation as an important centre of remembrance.
Already, there are nearly 200 plaques and monuments throughout the cathedral, commemorating individuals and families.
In addition to the
‘Tree of Remembrance’ the exhibition includes audiovisual elements such as an interactive timeline of events and videos of World War One veterans, cathedral staff, clergy and congregation members talking about loved ones lost during the war.
Daily re-enactments with actors in costume will also take place and there is a full section of the exhibition focusing on the impact that World War One had on Bride Street in Dublin 8, from where 31 men lost their lives during the war.
Meanwhile, the Irish anti-War Movement (IAWM) will hold a press event in Buswell’s Hotel on Tuesday, August 5 to launch its new pamphlet
‘World War 1: What did they die for?’
The event will be addressed by artist Robert Ballagh, the Chair of CND the Reverend Patrick Comerford, former MEP Patricia McKenna and writer, historian and secretary of the IAWM Steering Committee, John Molyneux.
“Far from being a war to end all wars or a victory for democracy, the war was a military disaster and a catastrophe for humankind which left 16 million dead and 20 million wounded, many horribly so,
? the movement stated.
An Post has also issued two commemorative stamps to mark the centenary.
The 68c and e1 stamps, together with a limited edition First Day Cover envelope, feature recruitment posters issued by the Central Council for the Organisation of Recruiting in Ireland to encourage Irish men to join the British war effort in Europe.