Ross war dead to be remembered

THIS WEEKEND marks the official end of World War I and three commemorative events are being held for the men from New Ross who died in The Great War.

New Ross Remembers starts with a concert of WW1 songs, poems and reading in St Michael’s Theatre on Saturday. Tickets are €25 and are available at the theatre. This will be followed before dawn at 6 a.m. when members of New Ross Pipe Band will play When the Battle is O’er at St Mary’s Church. 1000 pipers around the world will play this moving tune at 6 a.m. their local time to commemorate the signing of the peace accord. Pipers were asked to take part in this unique and simple way to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War with a mass playing of the retreat march, When the Battle’s O’er outside cathedrals and other locations 6 a.m. on Sunday.

At 6 a.m. on November 11, 1918, the Armistice of Compiègne was signed between the Allies and Germany. It marked the end of the fighting on the Western Front and ultimately the end of the Great War, which saw millions killed and wounded, including around 2,000 pipers. Led by Brian MacMahon, everyone is free to come and witness this New Ross contribution. The Armed Man is the third event. New Ross Singers will perform this work composed by Karl Jenkins, with orchestra and soloist, on Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Parish Church. It is specifically a plea for peace.

A specially made film is shown during the singing of what is a very moving piece of music, now sung in many countries all over the world.

New Ross Singers group director Connie Tantrum conducts the choir and the orchestra comprised of members of Musici Ireland. The soloist is local soprano, Hayley Crosbie. Connie said: ‘In 2014 the New Ross Singers organised a commemorative concert for the men from New Ross who died in that war. 57 names were read out. It was the first time that their sacrifice had been publicly acknowledged. Since then, Jack Stacey has researched further and has now uncovered over 170 men from the town and the nearby areas plus over 70 in South Kilkenny. It is fitting therefore that three events will take place to remember them.’

Tickets are €20 and available from choir members and by phoning 051 421766.