The 11th July marked the Centenary of the Truce and the End of the War of Independence in Ireland.  It came into effect at 12 noon on that day and, although many people thought it would be a temporary halt in hostilities, it ended the conflict.

As part of the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Centenaries Commemoration and Reconciliation Project churches and chapels throughout the Diocese commemorated this event last Sunday. 

The Liturgical Advisory Committee created a special Order of Service focussing on remembrance and peace. Parishes used this Order of Service and memorial prayers in their churches, and read out lists of names of people who died in their area, compiled by local historians. 

Left Parishioners praying outside Novohal Church Right Rev. Hazel Minion leading the Commemoration Service in St Luke’s Church, Douglas

Just one of many examples took place in St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline where Canon Elaine Murray remembered Martha Nowlan, the great-aunt of current church organist Hilary Dring, who was killed on the 13th January 1921, before the Truce and at the hight of the atrocities committed against the civilian population. Canon Murray added Martha Nowlan’s name to the Carrigaline Union Remembrance Book during the service. 

Bishop Paul Colton explained: 

This centenary was always ear-marked as a significant one in our Cork, Cloyne and Ross Centenaries Commemoration and Reconciliation Project.

The Government’s Decade of Centenaries Expert Group had identified this as a date of national importance, and, in commemorating this period, we were motivated by that recommendation. Our project in this Diocese covers the centenaries of the period 1914 to 1923 and, so far, in addition to participation in many local events, there have been commemorations of the First World War, the Easter Rising, the Battle of the Somme, Armistice, women’s suffrage, the Spanish Flu, the first Dáil, and now, the end of the War of Independence. Cork was at the heart of this period in our history; one hundred years is not that long ago.  Stories and memories have been passed down through families. Our project is about what the Christian Gospel brings to bear on us, as followers of Jesus Christ, in community with everyone else, as we commemorate.

You can watch a video of some of our clergy praying here.