From: http://anglocelt.ie
Published: Wednesday, 14th September, 2011 5:30pm
The 100-strong military detachment from the Eastern Brigade of the Defence Forces was an impressive sight as they fulfilled the ceremonial guard of honour at Saturday’s National Famine Commemoration in Clones.
Along with the attendance of President McAleese, their presence conferred the State’s imprimatur on what was an important occasion of remembrance – one of just three national commemorative events that are held each year.
It was a fitting tribute to the town of Clones, which as the focal point of the Clones Poor Law Union, bore the brunt of the pain, despair and death which were the tragic consequences of the years of the Great Famine in that part of Ulster.
On behalf of the Irish people President McAleese laid a wreath at the Market House in memory of all of those who died in that great national calamity. The ambassadors from over 30 countries also laid wreaths – giving an important international dimension to the occasion and signifying how the Irish Great Famine is viewed as one of the great life-changing events of world history.
Full story in this week’s Anglo-Celt. – See: http://www.anglocelt.ie
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