Twenty-four years of Thurles memorial committee honoured in Templemore

On Friday night of April 5, John Wort Chairman and Founder of Dùrlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee, accepted a Civic Award on behalf of our Committee from Thurles Municipal Council in the Templemore Arms Hotel.

The award was for the recognition of their work and achievements over the last 24 years. Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee was formed back in 1999.

Mr Wort said: “Our Foundation, St Mary’s International Garden of Remembrance Thurles, was officially opened by the then Minister for Defence Mr Michael Smith TD On November 12, 2000.

“The first memorial unveiled on the day was to the 72 men from Thurles, who lost their lives in action in the First World War 1914 / 1918.

“From 2000 to 2023, the following Memorials were unveiled the Niambia Ambush in the Congo Memorial, the Irish Fight for Independence Memorial, the Tom Semple Memorial Memorial, the Irish United Nations Memorial, An Garda Siochana Memorial, The Large Community Memorial Wall, The Order of Malta Memorial, The Great Famine Memorial, The Republic of Korea Memorial, The 1916/2016 Centenary Memorial, the Small Community Memorial Wall, The Shell Bell of Peace Memorial, the 9 /11 Memorial.

They are just some of the large memorials.

“We also have 46 small plaques two field guns one a French Cannon 1917, and a 17 pounder better known as a Tank Buster,.

“The two guns were presented to us by The Army Cadet College Kildare.

“A cedar of Lebanon Tree given to us by the People of Lebanon 2005 48 Trees in all planted throughout Ireland Our Tree is number six.

“Ceremonies held in St Mary’s Throughout the year Remembrance Sunday, Republic of Korea, Lebanese, and many other small ceremonies.

“Eleven Flags fly at all Ceremonies, the Lebanese Flag St Mary's is the only place in Ireland it officially flies.St Mary’s International Garden of Remembrance is the first of its kind in Ireland.

“It is also twinned with the United Nations Memorial Garden in Tibnin South Lebanon on the grounds of St Georges Church.

“Our Ambassador in Tibnin Mr Abdo Haddad Represents us at all ceremonies and Masses in St George's Church and around Lebanon.

“Mr Haddad on our behalf and the Republic of Korea Embassy Dublin and with the help of the Irish Army Commandant Joe Gleeson, and Captain Jack Setright we donated 5,000 top quality face masks to the local government hospital in Tibnin so badly wanted and were very pleased to receive them at a very critical and dangerous time. Our Committee has received awards and recognition over the years from the Heritage Foundation, the President of Lebanon and the Kuwait Ambassador to Ireland.

“But is very special when your own county council recognise our work and what we have achieved over the last 24 years. On behalf of our committee, I would like to thank Councillor Peggy Ryan for the nomination of our Committee for the Civic Award, Councillor Seán Ryan Cathaoirleach, and Sharon Scully A /Riarthoir Dúiche.

“But most of all I would like to thank all our Committee Members in Thurles, Templemore, Cobh, county Cork, Kells, county Meath, Kilkenny, Denver Colorado USA, and Lebanon, my family for all their support to me and their dedication to what we stand for remembrance, peace and reconciliation.”

Your Friend in Peace, John Wort Chairman and Founder Durlas Eile Eliogarty Memorial Committee

CAPTION: Back Row: Mr Joe Fanning, Mr Jim Troy, Councillor Jim Ryan, Mr Domnic Moore, Mr Eugene Scully, Front Row: Mr William Ryan, Councillor Peggy Ryan, Mr John Wort, Mrs Bridget Wort, Mr P.J Ryan and Mrs Roreanna Ryan Photo Courtesy Mr John O’Loughlin