Killyleagh to mark First World War with events

Killyleagh to mark First World War with events

19 February 2014

KILLYLEAGH is gearing up for a series of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

A draft programme of cross-community events, entitled Killyleagh Remembers, has been drawn up and was endorsed by the local community at a public meeting in the town.

The proposal is to run a series of events from August to November, acknowledging the sacrifice of the 245 men from the Killyleagh and Shrigley areas who volunteered to fight.

A selection of groups and individuals with an interest in the Great War gathered in the Lecture hall to put forward ideas. Relatives of those who served and survived the war were among the audience.

Agreement was reached to formulate a proposal to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The convenor of the meeting, Chris Hagan, explained: “The aim is to look at the events surrounding the declaration of war and how its outcome has shaped the 100 years that have followed.

“The hope is that we can explore and share the heritage of all those who served. We can only do this with the support of the full community helping us tell the story of their relatives, and there are some amazing stories to tell.’’

One of the highlights will be a Memories Day when relatives will be asked to bring along their war medals from the Great War, with lectures, exhibitions and an educational day for the young people of the town.

Miss Zena McAllister of the Sloane’s History group, which is actively involved in the project, outlined the type of material the group is hoping will bring along to its exhibition days, with a view to incorporating this in a book.

Among the suggestions at the meeting was a ceremony to lay hand-made crosses in memory of those who served; re-enactors recreating the scene in Killyleagh 100 years ago; and a night of Great War poetry and readings.

“We are grateful for the advice we have received, especially from Killyleagh-born Philip Orr who has written such hugely regarded histories of the Irish at the Somme and Gallipoli.’’