Along with several party colleagues North Antrim SDLP MLA Seán Farren attended Saturday’s historic Somme commemoration in Dublin. The commemoration ceremony took place in the War Memorial Gardens along the banks of the river Liffey and was attended by ex-service personnel from several of the Allied armies as well as relatives of those who had died in the Somme offensive. The ceremony was led by the Irish President Mary McAleese and also attended by other political representatives from North and South.
After the commemoration ceremony Mr Farren said: “This simple and very moving ceremony showed respect and honour to the many thousands of Irish soldiers from across the whole of Ireland who sacrificed their lives in that terrible battle. Thousands of young men had rushed to enlist when war was declared in 1914, many of them having previously joined either the Ulster Volunteers or the Irish National Volunteers.
Their sacrifice has not been as honoured as it should it have been in the South despite the fact that it was the Irish government that had the memorial gardens constructed in the first place. Thankfully this ceremony and changing attitudes in the South towards those who served in the world wars are making it possible to be more open and honest about the role Irish men and women played in other armies, especially in the British army.
Commemorating the role of Irish soldiers at the Somme and throughout the war is also a positive step towards greater understanding and mutual respect between the people of Ireland today and hopefully will contribute to creating more positive political relationships and the restoration of our political institutions.”