01.05.2019
Flanders Fields Memorial Dedicated in Dublin Peace Park
A new Flanders Fields Memorial was officially unveiled in Dublin’s Peace Park yesterday (Tuesday April 30). The Peace Park, which has recently been given new life by Dublin City Council, is located at Christchurch Place, across the road from Christ Church Cathedral and Archbishop Michael Jackson and Dean Dermot Dunne were in attendance while the Cathedral Choir sang at the event.
Lord Mayor Nial Ring and Jan Peumans, Speaker of the Parliament of Flanders presided over the ceremony which was jointly organised by Dublin City Council and the Government of Flanders, Belgium.
The solemn act of remembrance for all those from the Island of Ireland who died in Flanders Fields during World War I, saw Flanders soil integrated with Irish soil from all four provinces and placed within a circle of Leinster granite which reflects the circular design in the roof of the Menin Gate in Ypres.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Lord Mayor accepted the gift from the people of Flanders on behalf of the citizens of Dublin. “This memorial will serve as a reminder of our long standing friendship with Flanders and along with the ‘Tree of Life’ Sculpture, will stand as focal points in the Peace Garden when it officially re–opens in the coming weeks. This Peace Garden which will be maintained by the dedicated staff of Dublin City Council Parks & Landscape Services will provide a place for reflection, rest and relaxation for visitors and citizens,” he said.
Nic Van der Marliere, General Representative of the Government of Flanders to Ireland said the human price paid to safeguard peace and human rights and the message of tolerance and reconciliation, were an essential part of remembrance for Flanders.
“The First World War may be a hundred years behind us, but the inalienability of the rights of all human beings, respect for freedom and democracy, are as relevant today as they were then. Maybe more so, because today too many people and countries take them too much for granted. Flanders will always show its profound gratitude for the extraordinary generosity and support of the Irish people in its hour of need. The Flanders Fields Memorial, uniting soil from Flanders and the four Provinces of Ireland will be an eternal testimony to our great and unwavering friendship,” he stated.
Pierre–Emmanuel De Bauw, Ambassador of Belgium to Ireland added: “We remember with emotion all people from this island who served in World War I. They fought for peace in their own time and for us today. Peace is the most treasurable value for us human beings. If the terrible sacrifices of World War I taught us one thing, it’s this: we should, and we can live together in peace.”
Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee, said that while the memorial recalled the largest military engagement of Irish people on Flemish soil, Ireland and Flanders had a long shared military heritage. “The memorial today brings together soil from the resting places of Irish people who died in Flanders and soil from their home provinces. I commend Dublin City Council for this initiative. This memorial will stand as a monument to our shared history and I thank the people of Flanders for the care of our dead over the last 100 years,” she said.
Pupils from St Enda’s Primary School in Dublin 8 carried the soil from the four provinces to the memorial during the ceremony. Buglers from Flanders played the Last Post and Reveille. Members of Dublin City Interfaith Forum, including Archbishop Jackson, read prayers for peace.
The memorial will be covered with a grass sward and engraved with poetry from Francis Ledwidge. Around the memorial, benches of Belgian blue stone have been engraved with the crests of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht.