Ireland and the first World War

War and remembrance

A chara, – I was delighted to read Oliver O’Hanlon’s Irishman’s Diary “The Names List and Ireland’s Memorial Records of the first World War” (September 25th).

Students from across the island of Ireland have been travelling to Ieper (Ypres) to work on the records since 2014 as part of the Flanders Fields Bursary Scheme, thanks to funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The only scheme of its kind, the Flanders Fields Bursary Scheme makes an invaluable contribution to our better understanding of the role of Irish soldiers in the first World War and its wider impact in Ireland and in Belgium.

As the Decade of Centenaries draws to a close, it is more important than ever to ensure Ireland continues to show our interest and respect. Long may such work continue. – Yours, etc,

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KEVIN CONMY,

Ambassador of Ireland

to Belgium,

Brussels.