A very special Remembrance Sunday ceremony has taken place in Tipperary

Councillor Jim Ryan, representing the Durlas Éile Eliogarty Committee, served as the Master of Ceremony for a most significant and special Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at St Mary’s International Garden of Remembrance recently – significant in that the ecumenical service celebrated took place in historic St Mary’s Church for the first time in decades.

Taking time out to remember the dead is a feature of the month of November and Remembrance Sunday celebrations in St Mary’s have become an annual feature of the local calendar following the emergence of St Mary’s International Garden of Remembrance as a very significant space in the country. And, considering the lives being lost in conflict all over the globe at the present time, it seemed especially appropriate this year to take time out and bow the head for a few moments in reflection.

There are plenty of reminders in the beautifully maintained St Mary’s Garden of the many lives lost and the wreaths laid following the service in the Church, which was led by Most Rev. Kieran O'Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emily, and Canon Ian Coulter, Church of Ireland, highlighted the many monuments to the fallen.

Wreaths were laid by Cathaoirleach Sean Ryan, Thurles-Templemore, Municipal District; H.E. Mr Yong-kil Kim, Republic of Korea, Ambassador to Ireland, assisted by Mr John Wort; Inspector James White, An Garda Síochana; Assistant Commander P.J. Ryan, K.M. Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta; Mr Timmy McSweeny, Cobh Branch O.N.E; Mr. Bernard Quinn, Royal British Legion; Mr. Dominic Moore, President Durlas Éile Eliogarty Memorial Committee; Mr Dennis Hartnett, Tipperary Town; Mr. Pat Walsh, Irish United Nations Veterans Association; Mr. Peter Byrne I.U.N.V.A, Cork Post No 5; and Ms Lorette Cleary, who placed a wreath for her grandfather Private Patrick Norton of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Speakers on the day included: Cathaoirleach Sean Ryan, Thurles, Templemore, Roscrea Municipal District; Mr. Guy Jones, Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation and Vice Chairperson, Durlas Éile Memorial Committee; H.E. Mr. Yong-kil Kim, Republic of Korea, Ambassador to Ireland: Mr William Ryan, Durlas Éile Memorial Committee; and Dr Martin Semple, Denver, Colorado, USA who was accompanied by his wife Jo.

Prior to a minute of silence, Chairperson John Wort recited the poem, The Unknown Soldier and the Last Post and Reveille was played by Cashel Brass Band with the Irish flag being raised to full mast by Peter Byrne, Cobh, Co. Cork, assisted by Chairperson John Wort.

The Colour Party was drawn from the Cobh Branch O.N.E.Piper Tadgh Ryan played the National Anthem to conclude the formalities of the ceremony, but there was still much to talk and chat about as the attendance mixed and mingled.

Councillor Jim Ryan had expressed gratitude to Durlas Éile Eliogarty Committee Chairperson John Wort for his dedicated work since establishing the committee and described him as being a fine ambassador for Thurles.

He also expressed gratitude to the Remembrance Garden sponsors, including Dr Martin and Jo Semple, Denver, Colorado, USA; Republic of Korea Embassy, Dublin; and Mr Dominic Moore.

Thanks, were also expressed to the celebrants Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly and Canon Ian Coulter, while musicians, including members of the Cashel Brass Band: Kem, Sara, Janice, Catherine, Piper Tadhg Ryan, the ground crew consisting of Mr Shane O’Brien, Mr Michael Ryan, Thomas, Declan, Eugene, Reece, Darren, and Thomas, the Colour Party drawn from members of the Cobh Branch O.N.E., county Cork were also acknowledged.

Special thanks was extended to Mr Tony Lanigan of TUS and Mr Jim Troy, Photographer.

Chairperson John Wort thanked all who attended the ceremony in St Mary’s Church and International Garden of Remembrance, emphasising the significance of the occasion as the first involving St Mary’s Church Ecumenical Service in twenty years.

He was delighted to see so many special guests in attendance including, Ms So Yeon Lim, First Secretary Republic of Korea Embassy; Dr. Michel Casey, Fellow/Professor of the Irish State; Mr Gerard O'Hara, President Thurles Lions Club; Mr Kevin O'Brien, President Cobh Branch O.N.E.; Mr Eugene Cummins and Mr Tommy Gallagher, Drogheda and Slane O.N.E; members of the Oireachtas, Organisations of National Ex Servicemen and Women and members of the Irish Red Cross.

St Mary’s International Garden of Remembrance remains a hidden gem in heart of Tipperary in the Cathedral Town of Thurles.

If you have not yet visited, be sure to put it on your bucket list.