Annual Somme Commemoration – National War Memorial Gardens
Every year a commemoration ceremony organised by the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland is held at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, Dublin 8. The ceremony takes place coinciding with the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme (1 July – 18 November 1916) in which the 36th (Ulster) Division and 16th (Irish) Division took part.
The ceremony commemorates those who lost their lives in the two World Wars, in particular the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the Ireland who served and died in both world wars. The event brings together representation from all parts and traditions of the island of Ireland .
Traditionally the ceremony commences with a parade of the standards of Royal British Legion, regimental, ex-services organisations and commemorative associations. This is followed by an ecumenical service of remembrance, recitals and music and the laying of official wreaths by government and civic leaders, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service and veterans representatives. Music is provided by the bands of the Irish Defence Forces and the Royal Irish Regiment.
The Ceremony is open to the public.
The ceromony takes places in the beautiful Irish War Memorial Gardens. The Gardens are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the Great War. The name of every soldier is contained in the sumptuously illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite bookrooms.
The Gardens were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Construction began in 1932.