Emotional recall of WW1 dead
The tree was sourced by Liam Walker, and planted by Frank Mitchell and Michael Walker, all three of whom had relatives who participated in the conflict.
Soil from the location in France where her uncle, Joseph Keating, is commemorated was put in the ground around the tree by Margaret Bathe, and Geraldine Gahan added soil from the Somme area where poet-soldier Thomas Kettle died. She also read a poem written by him to his daughter Betty a few days before he was killed.
Fr Niall Mackey reminded those present that there had been very little time between the start of the First World War and WW2, but that fortunately since then there had been no such major conflicts in Europe itself.
"In planting this tree, we're reminded of the hopes, the dreams, the fears, and the sacrifice of those who died in that war," he said. "It is good to gather here and remember them, and have this living memorial to them."
Julie O'Donoghue, leader of the Kilcullen Great War Commemoration Group said the gathering was very fortunate to have present living relatives of those who went to war. She said this year was the first time that the casualties were publicly remembered, and she hoped that it would be the Group's legacy that others in the future could come to pay respects to them any time that they wanted to. "It also means that future generations will know that we did remember these men and women."
Gerry O'Donoghue read an extract from the novel about WW1 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks. Also among the gathering was Harry Smith, originally from Ballysax but now living in Coventry, whose grandfather had fought in both the Boer War and WW1.
The afternoon concluded with those present retiring to the Library itself for refreshments and chat, during which more memories and stories were shared.
All the pictures from the event are here.
