BATTLE OF THE SOMME COMMEMORATIONS

Many events took place throughout Northern Ireland to mark the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, on 1st July 1916.  This remains the bloodiest day in the Army’s history with a total of 19,240 British troops killed within 24 hours. Almost a tenth of those who died that first day were from the 36th Ulster Division.

Commemorations have been held in towns and cities in Northern Ireland as well as at Dublin’s War Memorial Gardens.

An overnight vigil took place at the Somme Museum near Newtownards in County Down, ending with a service on the morning of the 1st.  Local Army, Air and Sea Cadets took part in the service, which included the blowing of whistles at 07:28 BST – the exact time when the advance was signalled to begin.

In Belfast, the annual wreath laying ceremony took place at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall, remembering men from both the 36th (Ulster) Division and 16th (Irish) Division who lost their lives at the Somme.

Then, on the evening of the 1st, a Battle of the Somme Centenary Festival of Remembrance took place in Carrickfergus, with acclaimed vocalist, Aled Jones topping the bill.

A capacity audience of almost 4,000 people gathered in the shadow of the historic Carrickfergus Castle to remember the beginning of the Battle of the Somme.

Internationally acclaimed soloist, Aled Jones performed ‘Carrickfergus’ against the backdrop of the iconic castle itself before the Northern Ireland Somme Centenary Festival of Remembrance concluded with a Drumhead Service by the band of the Irish Guards.

Poppies fell as the festival of music, drama, recitals and letters from the trenches ended an emotional journey, as Mid and East Antrim Borough Council formally marked 100 years since the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

On Sunday 3rd July, St Anne’s Cathedral hosted a further commemorative service, during which the First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster MLA, laid a wreath. The names of 17 sets of brothers from Ulster who died on the first day of the Battle were read out along with the citations of four members of the 36th (Ulster) Division who were awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of valour.  Cadets were again at attendance at the Service, forming a Guard of honour for the guests as they arrived.

The events that took place across the Province provided poignant opportunities for Northern Ireland to pay tribute to and remember those who died during this bloody battle.