Inaugurated on 19 November 1921, the Ulster Memorial Tower at Thiepval on the Somme commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers from Ulster and across the island of Ireland during the First World War. The Ulster Tower stands on the ground attacked at great cost by the 36th (Ulster) Division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.
The centenary of the Ulster Memorial Tower was commemorated in Northern France on 19 November 2021. The commemoration began with the combined musicians of the Bugles Pipes and Drums and Regimental Band of the Royal Irish Regiment along with the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann) 2nd Brigade Band, march on the standards provided by members of the Royal British Legion. The commemoration was attended by dignitaries including First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan MLA, Ireland’s Minister of State Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne TD, British Ambassador to France Her Excellency Menna Rawlings and Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in Paris Owen Feeney. The service was led by Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Rev. Dr. Sahr Yamhasu, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; and The Most Revd. Francis John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh.
The military musicians were accompanied by mezzo-soprano and alto Emma Brown who sung You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The Ulster Tower 100 commemoration was organised by the Somme Association, based in Newtownards, County Down, who are responsible for the maintenance of the Ulster Memorial Tower.
As the combined Royal Irish Regiment and Defence Forces bands marched from the Ulster Memorial Tower at the end of the centenary commemoration, it was a moment to reflect on the importance on the occasion. The Ulster Memorial Tower stands tribute to those from the province of Ulster, in particular to members of the 36th Ulster Division, who fought during the Great War and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today it is sacred ground.
This project was made possible with kind support from The Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade and The Dept. of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
This video is a production of The Irish Military Heritage Foundation CLG: (RCN) 20203159 and The Somme Association: (RCN UK): 105286
You can help support our projects on Patreon: www.patreon.co...
17 сен 2024
