WW1 commemoration project proceeding

The meeting last Thursday night to discuss a commemoration of Kilcullen men who were killed in WW1 has generated enthusiasm and interest in an era which for generations wasn't talked about among the families concerned, writes Brian Byrne.

According to Julie O'Donoghue, who only recently acquired information about a great-uncle who served in the War, the meeting proved very successful, and resulted in a number of ideas for a commemoration in early August. She organised the meeting jointly with Jim Collins.

"It's amazing the number of local stories there are related to Kilcullen from the War," she told the Diary. "We now hope to have a number of events around the weekend of 4 August."

That's the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of what was to become known as the Great War, during which millions of young men died, many of them Irish.

Among those at the meeting was local retired Irish Army officer Des Travers, who has a special interest in military history, and was able to outline the social context of recruitment in Ireland at the time by the British Army.

Ideas discussed for the commemoration weekend included the possibility of a re-enactment of scenes related to the era, perhaps the showing of a suitable film, as well as the compilation of personal stories from archival material which has recently come available.

Further meetings are planned, and the organisers will welcome contributions and participation from anyone with an interest in what is a fascinating, if often tragic, chapter in Ireland's history.