AN official commemoration in Dublin to mark next year’s centenary of the Battle of the Somme will be another step towards enhancing recognition of the Irish soldiers who fought and died, a government minister has said.
The Republic’s minister for foreign affairs Charlie Flanagan made the prediction as he became the first cabinet minister to attend a Somme remembrance event in Belfast.
Mr Flanagan yesterday joined Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, First Minister Peter Robinson and other dignitaries in laying wreaths at the cenotaph at Belfast City Hall to mark the 99th anniversary of a battle that costs the lives of thousands of Irish soldiers.
Since the advent of the north’s peace process, official attitudes in Dublin toward the First World War have changed markedly.
Whereas in decades gone by the contribution of Irish soldiers to Britain’s war efforts was downplayed and neglected, with veterans maligned and discriminated against, the state has gradually moved to a position of affording more recognition to their sacrifice.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has attended Remembrance Sunday events in Northern Ireland over the last three years and now the Dublin government is planning its own event to mark the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme next July.
Mr Flanagan said the event was a key part in a decade of commemorations. Next year will also see the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Dublin.
“I believe it is important that all aspects of our history are fully recognised, are fully met and are marked in a way that is sensitive to our shared traditions,” he said.
“For many years, indeed for many decades, the Irish involvement in the First World War was under-appreciated and neglected. We refused to accept that participation.
“I welcome the fact these changes have taken place and we are recognising that tens of thousands of people from what is now the Irish Republic fought in the First World War and never came back.”
Mr Flanagan laid a laurel wreath at the cenotaph during the commemorative event.
Ms Villiers said the British government was working hard with Belfast and Dublin ministers to ensure centenary events were appropriate, adding: “There is one thing we can learn from these centenaries – there is a huge amount we have in common across these islands.”
