The Northern Ireland Office has issued a press release on events held and upcoming to commemorate the First World War as well as the wider Decade of Centenaries (1912 – 1922) in Northern Ireland.
In June 2014 the NIO stated: “In Northern Ireland, the First World War must be remembered in the context of wider events during the turbulent decade between 1912-1922. Marking these anniversaries in a spirit of historical accuracy, mutual respect and inclusiveness can support efforts to build a peaceful and shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
The Northern Ireland Office issued the following press release on 4th March 2015:
The NIO continue to work towards these aims and in August 2014 we supported the successful events in St Anne’s Cathedral and Belfast City Hall to mark the outbreak of the First World War. Dr Andrew Murrison, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Centenary Commemoration of the First World War took up Ministerial office in the NIO in July 2014 and embarked on a series of local centenary-related engagements. This has included:
· 6th Connaught Rangers Research Group exhibition
· Last Post project event by Portaferry Regeneration and the Portaferry and Strangford Trust
· Somme Heritage Centre
· Briefing by the Unionist Centenary Committee
· Briefing by The Junction on their Ethical and Shared Remembering Project
· Living Legacies outreach event at Belfast Central Library
· Linfield Football Club First World War commemorative event
· Woodland Trust Centenary Wood at Faughan Valley, Co Londonderry
· Creative Centenaries at the Nerve Centre, Derry
2015 will see the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign to which the 10th (Irish) Division contributed so significantly.
The NIO will continue to work closely with the Irish Government, NI civil society, local authorities and the NI Executive on centenary commemorations.
Image: British Government
Posted by: Eadaoin Hegarty, Centenary News