The last Memory Monday

Monday 11th November at 11am we had our last Memory Monday, writes Mary Orford. It seemed fitting that on this special date, we remembered those who lost their lives in wars. Many of those present brought memorabilia from their fathers, grandfathers, great uncles and spoke movingly of the hardships and torment endured during the war and afterwards. So many men travelled during the First World War from their roots in Kildare to far flung places like Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and Egypt. Some of these soldiers were also involved in the Somme and Arras campaigns in France. Liam Walker recalled his grandfather's description of the horror of being gassed - "it was like drowning on dry land".

Geraldine Gahan spoke about her father's experiences as a POW on a submarine and later in Germany. Jo Doyle brought her family memorabilia of medals and an autograph book.

Julie O'Donoghue remembered her great uncle with documents from his army career. We started our morning with a poem (A Soldier by George L Skypek), read by retired Irish Defence Forces Company Sergeant Joe Mallon and ended by agreeing we had all learned something about our forefathers bravery and courage in setting out for unknown lands and enduring the horrors of war.

Please keep 8pm on Monday 2nd December in your diary. The Memory Monday team will give a presentation on the Meitheal of Memories and the Memory Monday projects "Remembering together: recalling the Kilcullen of yesteryear"

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