The School of History at University College Cork has been hosting an important conference – ‘Ireland and the First World War: In Defence of Right, of Freedom and of Religion?’ – on Friday, 25th and Saturday, 26th January.

Bishop Paul Colton attended the official opening of the Conference on the invitation of the Head of the School of History, Professor Geoff Roberts.  Dr Colton said:

This is a subject I am interested in.  The Conference is timely, not least as we all reflect in Ireland how best to mark and commemorate the centenaries of these world-changing events inclusively.

l-r Dr Andrew Murrison, M.P. (Minister for International Security Strategy, and special representative of Prime Minister David Cameron for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War) chats before the conference opening with the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, and the Ambassador of Belgium in Ireland, His Excellency, M. Philippe Roland. Photo: Michael MacSweeney/Provision

The opening keynote address was given by Dr Andrew Murrison, M.P.  (Minister for International Security Strategy in the U.K.).  Dr Murrison is also the special representative of Prime Minister David Cameron for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War.  Afterwards, the opening lecture was given by Professor Gary Sheffield,  Professor of War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton. In addition to the attendance of large numbers of  historians, and of members of the public were also: the President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy; the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Michael of Connell; Mr Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht; the chairman of the Governing Body of UCC, Judge Bryan McMahon; the First Secretary at the German Embassy, Mr Harald Seibel; and the Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Latvia and Belgium.

Invited guests prior to the opening of the Conference at the Office of the President of University College Cork. Photo: Michael MacSweeney/Provision