Poignant ceremony held in Horeswood cemetery
A POIGNANT ceremony took place in Horeswood cemetery to remember nine men from the area who lost their lives fighting in the First World War.
As part of this year’s 100th anniversary commemorations of Armistace Day a short ceremony took place in the graveyard immediately after 10.30 a.m. mass.
The nine men who were remembered at the event were either killed in action or died later as a result of wounds they received in battle.
Prayers were offered for the men by Fr O’Leary and they were followed with a eulogy by Seán Caulfield.
Those present were reminded of the significance of the event and of the sacrifice made by thousands of young Irish men during the ‘Great War’ and of the indelible link between Co Wexford and one of the worst human conflicts the world has ever seen.
As part of the ceremony wreaths were laid at the headstone of Michael Kinsella, from Fisherstown, by his grandsons Nicholas and Michael Carr, his grand-niece Anna Sinnott, and grand-nephews John and Jim Caulfield.
There was also a moving performance of the Last Post by Shauna Rawson and Nick Cooney while Matty Ryan played a lament on the bagpipes.
The nine men who lost their lives and were remembered at the ceremony were:
Matthew Cheevers (22), Horeswood (killed, March 27, 1917); his brother Patrick Cheevers (26), Horeswood, (killed, May 3, 1917); Michael Kinsella (42), Fisherstown (killed, May 24, 1915); John Joseph Cullen (25), Ballysop (killed, October 2, 1915; Martin Lennon (19), Dunganstown (killed, August 7, 1917); J Shallow (36), Fisherstown (killed, October 20, 1917); John Whitty (31), Ballybrazil (killed, October 9, 1917); John Ryan (23), Priesthaggard (died January 14, 1919) and James Leach (31), Kilmokea (died April 2, 1921).
(By Brendan Keane)