|
The Irish Veterans Historical Research Centre is Ireland's only registered charity dedicated to establishing and maintaining a memorial dedicated to all Irish men and women who served, and in particular those who made the ultimate sacrifice, in foreign military forces from 1900 to the present day.
Those who served, and those who lost their lives, came from all corners of the Four Historic Provinces of the island of Ireland. Such service, however, remains largely unknown or ignored.
- In November 1998, following discussions between Declan Hughes, the instigator of the search for the Irish who lost their lives in Vietnam, and Vicki Curtin, of the Irish Immigration Centre in Washington DC, a wreath was laid at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, in specific remembrance of the Irish-born killed in Vietnam – the first time ever such recognition had been paid.
- In April and May 1999, in a tour organised by Declan Hughes and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (Washington DC), the replica Vietnam Memorial visited the four historic provinces of Ireland to honour all who served and died in that war. With both Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, and President of Ireland Mary McAleese visiting the Memorial, the Irish State recognised for the first time the common island heritage of these men and women.
- For the Irish who served abroad in theatres of conflict throughout the last century, such as WWI, WWII, Malaya, Borneo, Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf and many others, few details exist regarding their service, to say nothing of acknowledgements of their courage.
- Information on Irish women who served is practically non-existent.
Objectives of the Irish Veterans Historical Research Centre
- Engage in historical research regarding the involvement of Irish men and women who served in foreign military and ancillary forces in the twentieth century and to gather and collate information and documentation from all available sources to provide a database for researchers, students and members of the public.
- Establish a research and exhibition centre in which to locate the information gathered and make such information available for educational purposes and to members of the public.
- Establish a physical memorial to Irish men and women who died in the service of foreign armies.
- Publish research findings and hold lectures seminars and conferences to disseminate this information.
- Engage in fundraising activities for the project and apply for financial assistance from other organisations and state agencies.
What exactly is proposed?
A site has been identified near the geographical centre of Ireland where a suitable memorial will be erected, along with a History, Research and Exhibition Centre. The site is a disused 19th century church, sitting on it’s own ground. Structural repairs, such as a new roof, windows etc will be the immediate need, followed by funding to begin longer term renovation and refurbishment.
The Irish Veterans Historical Research Centre is delighted to have the advice and services of well-known Architect Brian O’Carroll, of O’Carroll Associates, Roscommon, who will be overseeing the renovation process.
Visit Brian’s Architectural Practice HERE - www.oca.ie
Read Brian’s initial assessment of the Project HERE - Architecht's Assesment
The geographic centre of the island of Ireland was chosen for several reasons:
- symbolically, to represent the fact that Irish men and women served from every county in every province on the island
- to better facilitate visitors from all parts of Ireland
- to ensure, from the outset, decentralisation of an important national initiative
PLEASE NOTE: This is the initial website of the Irish Veterans Historical Research Centre Ltd., also known as the Irish Veterans Memorial Project. It has been established primarily to give the Project a meaningful presence on the web at this time. However, it is by no means the definitive website. Please be patient as this site evolves in the coming months.
|
