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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023
kilkennyobserver.ie
Anzac Day
All photos by Pat Shortall
Australian and New Zealand National Day of Remembrance commemorated in Kilkenny His Excellency Gary Gray, Australian Ambassador to Ireland, spoke of his appreciation that Anzac Day was commemorated in Kilkenny
A report from the Kilkenny Observer Newspaper at the Peace Park in Kilkenny In the early 19th century one of the accepted rules of purchase at Tea Auctions was that buyers could place bids until the level of the candle reached as far down as the pin, at which stage the pin would fall out. If there were no more bids at this stage, the room would be silent and you would be able to hear a pin drop. Hence this English idiom was born! And so it was on Sunday April 23 when dignitaries,
President of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Bobby Kearney, who read the Ode of Remembrance for Anzac Day
invited guest and members of the public gathered at The Peace Park in Kilkenny to honour soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Following the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ (read in English by Bobby Kearney and in Maori by Robert Brown) a minutes silence was called. This in turn was followed by The Last Post, Reveille, and then the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Army personnel, members of the Gardaí and Fire service took the salute as Charlie Parsons played each
anthem on the trumpet. Anzac day was remembered with the dignity and respect it deserved. The Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee can
PJ Norton who attended the Anzac Day in Kilkenny
take a well-deserved bow. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New
The Ode of Remembrance in English and Maori They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We remember them. E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te arangamai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou
Michael Gaskin, New Zealand deputy Head of Missions, speaking to the attendance at Anzac Day which was held at The Peace Park in Kilkenny
Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". The 25th of April 2023 marks the 108th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli (now known as ANZAC cove). The sacrifice made by both countries during the eight-month long Gallipoli campaign quickly began to symbolize the emergence of their national identity. This identity exemplified by ANZAC day, The National Day of Remembrance in Australia, and New Zealand. The Kilkenny Great War
Memorial stands testament to over 830 men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Included on its panels the names of 20 ANZAC soldiers and one nurse (Kathleen Power), all who were from Co Kilkenny. Surnames like, Mulroney, Deevy, Dunphy, Doyle, Butler, Purcell, Leahy, Power, and Langton all bear testament to Kilkenny roots. Parish of origin include St Johns, Clara, Paulstown, Graignamanagh, Callan, Freshford and Aghavillar to name but a few. Each year, on April 25 Australians and New Zealanders come together to honour
