| Iers / Irish weekend -
Mesen - 11/11/2008 On November, 11th, 1998, the of Irish
Peace Park was opened at Mesen (Messines). At the occasion of the 10th anniversary,
an Irish weekend is organized at Mesen. On Tuesday, November, 11th, an official
ceremony was held at the park to celebrate the 10th anniversary. Op
11 november 1998 werd in Mesen het Ierse
Vredespark geopend. Naar aanleiding van de 10e verjaardag van deze gebeurtenis,
werd in Mesen een Iers Weekend georganiseerd. Op dinsdag 11 november vond aan
de Vredestoren een plechtigheid plaats. 
We
herkennen gouverneur Paul Breyne, de vertegenwoordiger van de koning en burgemeester
Sandy Evrard. 
Dank
aan Geert Vanderjeugt voor de foto's. ------------- We Were There
90th
Anniversary of the Ceasefire at the Somme - 11th Nov 2008. We are happy
to inform you that an Irish choir, 'The Tipperary Singers', comprising
some 35 singers under the direction of Ms Betty Kelly-Lynch, had the honour of
participating in the Commemoration Ceremonies on the 90th Anniversary of the First
World War Armistice. On the morning of Tuesday 11th Nov 2008 we sang at
the Messines Peace Park, at the foot of the Round Tower, in memory of the many
Irish soldiers who died fighting in that terrible war. We sang (in Gaelic) a lovely
sad Irish lament entitled 'Pe' nEirinn i'. 
Our
next stop was at Ploegsteert Wood Memorial where we performed a traditional Irish
air called 'Danny Boy' otherwise known as 'The Londonderry Air'. As dusk
was falling, we sang at the Munster Cross and the chosen numbers included the
traditional hymn 'Abide with Me' and 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary'. On this occasion
we were accompanied by the C J Kickham Brass and Reed Band from Tipperary and
also by the Barrow St Band from Cork. Tears were shed as the music awakened sad
memories and stirred the emotions of many of those present. Finally we were
very highly honoured to be chosen to sing under the Menin Gate after the Last
Post was sounded at 8.00pm on the night of the 11th Nov 2008, just as wreaths
were being laid in memory and honour of those who died. The hymn we sang was entitled
'The Clouds Veil' - a beautiful number composed by the Irish priest, Liam Lawton. During
both Monday and Tuesday we sang 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' and other numbers
on many occasions, sometimes while marching with the band in the Main Square in
Ypres and also on the way to and from the various ceremonial locations in the
town of Mesen. It is only following the peace that has finally broken out
on the island of Ireland in the last few years, that the Irish soldiers who fell
in the 1st World War are finally being recognised and honoured both in Ireland
and abroad. This is the first time that an Irish choir has participated
in such ceremonies and it was particularly appropriate that the Tipperary Singers
were chosen, as our members are drawn mainly from County Tipperary, where many
of the fallen Irish soldiers were born. We were astonished and delighted
at the care and respect accorded to those who died fighting for freedom, by both
the Belgium Government and Municipal Authorities - and also by every ordinary
citizen we encountered. We have many wonderful memories to treasure in the
years ahead and are very proud to have played some little part in these remembrance
events. Paul Monks and Dan Hogan
Tipperary Singers / 22 Nov 2008
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de rubriek "Je was er bij". Ons adres: info@westhoek.be Everyone
can send pictures for the pages "You were there". Our address: info@westhoek.be | 
