Press Releases24 Jun 16

Archbishops of Armagh Conclude Somme Centenary Pilgrimage

The Archbishops of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke (Church of Ireland) and the Most Revd Eamon Martin (Catholic), have concluded a special centenary pilgrimage which brought a cross–community delegation of young people from across the island of Ireland to significant sites at the Battle of the Somme.

The pilgrimage began on Wednesday (22nd June) with a visit to Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, which included prayers and a time of reflection at the new Memorial Wall.  The group then travelled to the Somme where, on Thursday (23rd June), the pilgrims visited graveyards and memorials linked to the 36th Ulster Division and 16th Irish Division – including Thiepval Wood and Guillemont.  The day concluded with a wreath–laying ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

This morning, the group visited the site of the Christmas truce, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Essex Farm, near Ypres, before prayers and a time for reflection at Irish Peace Park, Messines.  This was followed by a visit to the Memorial Museum at Passchendaele.