Silent procession to mark 608 Sligo lives lost in WW1
The ending of World War One will be marked in Sligo this November with a public participation event to remember the 608 local lives lost.
Armistice Day 2018 (November 11 th) marks 100 years since the cessation of the Great War 1914 - 1918.
It is estimated that almost 5,000 men from Sligo, or of immediate Sligo origin served as soldiers during the Great War.
It is currently understood that 604 of these men lost their lives during the conflict or subsequently because of the injuries they suffered. Four civilians including two women also perished in the sinking of the Leinster which was torpedoed. To recognise and acknowledge the loss of all 608 lives from Sligo county during this conflict, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company with the help of a committee of advisors is organising a large-scale public participation event which will take place on Armistice Day 2018.
Commencing at eleven minutes past eleven - the moment armistice came into effect 100 years ago - the event will take the form of a silent dignified procession of 608 participants from Sligo city centre to The Great War monument overlooking the town at the junction of Mail Coach Road and Pearse Road.
The event will accurately represent the scale and nature of the losses Sligo suffered with participants being men, generally between the ages of 18 - 40 years. Each of the participants will personally represent a named Sligo casualty of the Great War.
With the help of a special advisory committee the theatre company has been working since May organising the event, with thirty project ambassadors currently recruiting participants throughout County Sligo to take part.
As Armistice Day approaches The Sligo Champion will run a half page of articles which will include information about the event, stories of Sligo men and their families who were involved in the Great War 1914 – 1918, and the history of its effect on the county.
The event organisers wish to acknowledge the invaluable support of Peace IV, Creative Ireland, Sligo Tourist Development Association, County Council and An Garda Siochana for the project.