Irish Pay Tribute To WWI Soldiers

The sacrifice made by soldiers from across Ireland during World War One has been remembered at a special ceremony in the Republic.

Ex-service organisations from both north and south met in Drogheda on Saturday for the only annual all-Ireland remembrance event.

Among those attending was a contingent from Co Antrim, headed by members of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion.

Newtownabbey mayor Nigel Hamilton laid a wreath watched by Drogheda Borough Council's mayor, who was also at the ceremony.

The event at the war memorial in Mary Street, Drogheda, was attended by hundreds of people and included an inter-denominational religious ceremony and a bugler playing the Last Post.

The cross-border event was first initiated by former Drogheda mayor and historian Sean Collins, who has regularly visited Whiteabbey Royal British Legion to liaise with officers on increasing levels of co-operation in cross-border initiatives.

John Dumigan, from Whiteabbey Royal British Legion, said: "This important tribute to those who served in 1914-18 for the common good has grown from a small party of representatives from Northern Ireland being invited by Sean Collins to take part in the revival of a long-neglected ceremony to what is now an important annual cross-border event.

"It fosters a better understanding of our shared heritage right across the British isles," he said.

Meanwhile, the UK's national poppy appeal - in advance of the main commemoration on 11 November in London - is this year being accompanied by posters showing ex-servicemen and bereaved families, supported by a human-like figure made from poppies.

The organisation hopes the posters will raise awareness and donations ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Its goal is to raise £27.5m this year, an increase of £1.5m from 2006.

(BMcC)