Gerry Cody P32-33, 39

Dawn gathering commemorates Anzac day with dignitiy and pride

Rehearsal time. Planning the ANZAC celebrations at the WW1 memorial Donal Croghan ( chair of the Great War memorial committee) and Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick, chair of the Joint Policing committee

PHOTOS BY PAT SHORTALL

As settings go, this was picture perfect.

Commandant Larry Scallan (retired) hoisted e Irish ag to full mast and Reveille echoed from the Great War memorial at e Peace Park in Kilkenny city.

Representatives of the Army, O.N.E., and Gardai stood to attention and saluted the Tri-colour.

Blowing gently in the dawn April breeze the ags of New Zealand and Australia waved in approval. e 0.600 gathering on John’s quay was to commemorate ANZAC day, a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, con icts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and su ering of all those who have served”. e thirty plus gathering saw representatives from Kilkenny County Council,(Fideles Doherty, Andrew McGuinness, Eugene McGuinness as well as Kilkenny Fire brigade( John Collins) , Kilkenny Gardaí,( Sgt David Gorman) Army Barracks, (Commandant Stephen McEoin) Scouting Ireland ( Aidan Brennan) as well as guests from both the Australian and New Zealand diaspora.

Guest of honour, and speaker on the day was Mr Daryl Owens representing the New Zealand Embassy in Ireland.

Apologies were received from Mr Tim Millikan, deputy head of missions at the Australian embassy.

A TIME TO REFLECT

Speaking with the Kilkenny Observer , Daryl Owens said that it was a great privilege and honour for him to speak at the service organised to honour those who took part in the con icts.

Addressing the thirty plus attendance Mr Owens said: “Each Anzac Day we take time to re ect and remember the impact of con ict and war in our history. And although the name ANZAC Day speci cally refers to the Kiwis / New Zealanders and Australians who landed in Gallipoli, it also serves as a day to remember those who fought and served in all con icts, from all countries.

We acknowledge their service and honour their contribution, while not forgetting the huge amount of sacri ce and personal cost to these people and their families.”

Turning to his fellow New Zealanders Mr. Owens said:

“Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou” (We will remember them) e New Zealand representative went on to speci cally remember those Irish who fought and served together with the Anzacs. While people have often heard of the Anzacs, less known is the fact that as many Irish soldiers died at Gallipoli as Kiwis did. 3000 people - with 15,000 Irish soldiers serving there in total.

Some of whom were from Kilkenny. is year in New Zealand

Berni Egan from the Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee who read a prayer at the Anzac dawn celebrations P.J Norton at the Anzac dawn celebrations

Candles were lit and placed at the memorial by Fideles Doherty ( chair of the County Council) Andrew McGuinness ( Mayor of Kilkenny), Bernie Bass (New Zealand), Trudy Buckett (Australia) .

Bobby Kearney ( O.N.E) receives a wreath from Paddy Hourihan ( President of the Kilkenny Great War memorial committee). Bobby laid the wreath on behalf of O.N.E

John Joe Cullen, Kilkenny Historical re-enactment group at The Anzac Day celebrations

Commandant Stephen McEoin deputy commanding o ice 3rd Inf’ Bn, Stephens Barracks

and Australia the theme for Anzac day is Acts of Service. is not only covers all those from around the world giving their service in con icts of war, but all acts of service.

Daryl Owens asked those in attendance to spare a thought for those in Ukraine. “Cities laid to waste, homes destroyed, men, women, children - families separated are images that greet us on a daily basis, and we hope and pray for an end to all this bloodshed”

CANDLES REPRESENT THE ETERNAL FLAME

On behalf of the Great War memorial committee, chairman Donal Croghan welcomed the attendance and expressed his delight at being able to host this special ceremony.

ETERNAL LIFE

e Flame is a symbol of eternal life. e Flame of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial burns to symbolise the gratitude of the Australian people to those who gave their lives in the service of their country in time of war.

A prayer to remember those who died was read by Berni Egan while the names of Kilkenny soldiers who are listed on the Peace Park monument were read by Tony Parker ( Australia) and Rob Brown (New Zealand) and Larry Scallan ( Kilkenny).

Wreaths to honour fallen soldiers were laid by Donal Croughan, Daryl Owens, Tony Parker, Stephen McEoin, Fideles Doherty, Andrew McGuinness, Bobby Kearney, Gus Hennessy and John Collins.

Following a minute’s silence an ‘Ode of silence an ‘Ode of Remembrance’ was read Remembrance’ was read by Ronan Bass. by Ronan Bass. e Francis Ledwidge e Francis Ledwidge poem ‘ e Irish in poem ‘ e Irish in Gallipoli’ was read to the Gallipoli’ was read to the gathering . gathering .

His poem ‘ e Irish in His poem ‘ e Irish in Gallipoli’ paints a picture Gallipoli’ paints a picture synonymous with the poets synonymous with the poets work. work.

‘ e Irish in Gallipoli’ ‘ e Irish in Gallipoli’

Where Aegean cli s Where Aegean cli s with bristling menace with bristling menace front front e reatening e reatening splendour of that isley splendour of that isley sea sea

Lighted by Troy’s last Lighted by Troy’s last shadow, where the rst shadow, where the rst

Hero kept watch and the Hero kept watch and the last Mystery last Mystery

Shook with dark thunder. Shook with dark thunder. Hark! e battle brunt! Hark! e battle brunt!

A nation speaks, old A nation speaks, old Silences are burst. Silences are burst.

‘Tis not for lust of glory, ‘Tis not for lust of glory, nor new throne nor new throne is thunder and this is thunder and this lightning of our wrath

Wakens those frantic echoes, not for these

Our Cross with England’s mingle, to be blown on Mammon’s threshold. We but war when war

Serves Liberty and justice Love and peace.

Who said that such an emprise could be vain?

Were they not one with Christ, who fought and died?

Let Ireland weep: but not for sorrow.

Weep - at by her sons a land is sancti ed

For Christ arisen, and angels once again

Come back, like exile birds, and guard their sleep.

e national anthems of New Zealand, Australia and Ireland were played before Donal Croghan concluded the ceremony by thanking all for their attendance.

CQMS Garry McCarthy, Mr Rory O’Mahony, Lt Col ( Retired) David Foley, at The Anzac morning of Remembrance in Kilkenny

Guests at The Anzac Day celebrations : Mayor Andrew McGuinness, Cathaoirleach Fideles Doherty, Commandant Stephen McEoin, John Collins, Kilkenny Fire Services, Sergeant David Gorman

Members of the New Zealand community living in Kilkenny pictured with Daryl Owens ( 3rd from right) the New Zealand Embassy

Commandant Larry Scallan (retired) and Donal Croghan part of the organizing committee for Anzac day