A large congregation from the Cork area and further afield, led by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Mick Nugent, attended Choral Evensong in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork on Remembrance Sunday, 8th November during which the Annual Act of Remembrance took place.

The new visual display in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork: ‘Cork Remembers 1914~1918’ (Photo:  Sam Wynn)

This year also, the Diocesan Centenary Memorial, entitled ‘Cork Remembers 1914 ~ 1918’  – a visual display compiled by the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, and the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne – was dedicated.  Many of those who submitted photos and information about family members, who were either casualties or veterans of the First World War, were in attendance.  Ms Kathleen Lynch, T.D., Minister of State, was also present.  Wreaths were laid by representatives of the organisations present, and Lieutenant Colonel Sean Dunne laid a wreath on behalf of the Defence Forces.

Some of the congregation gathered before and after Choral Evensong to contemplate the names and stories of those who are included in the visual memorial in the south aisle of the Cathedral adjacent to The Heroes’ Column (First World War Memorial in the Cathedral). (Photo:  Sam Wynn)

Before dedicating the memorial, Bishop Colton said:

‘This memorial is a work in progress.  People are still sending in scans of their precious photos and memorabilia. It is all about putting faces on the names that are engraved in stone and on plaques.  It is about recalling their human story. We remember people from Cork, or with a Cork connection then or now, who died, as well as those who, for the rest of their lives carried the memories and scars of war, physical, mental and emotional. This is also a forward looking memoria, which reminds us that we live in a different world now; and it calls us to a new spirit of reconciliation and peace-building. For that reason, the display includes many whose connection with Cork is a contemporary connection;  that, naturally, includes people who were caught up in the many sides of the conflict from many nations.

At Choral Evensong, the Act of Remembrance and the dedication in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork on Remembrance Sunday were (l-r): Mr Pat Culleton (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel), Captain Brian Smith (Royal Naval Association) Dr Alicia St Leger (Historian). Lieutenant-Col. Sean Dunne (Defence Forces), the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton (Bishop of Cork), the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork), Ms Marie McCarthy (Western Front Association), Denis Curvy (Leinster Regiment Association),  Olly Griffin (President, Royal Fusiliers Association), Eugene Power (Western Front Association),  Gerry White (Western Front Association), Stephen Thompson (Royal Munster Association), and Cllr. Mick Nugent, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork. (Photo:  Sam Wynn)