Francis Ledwidge Day Commemoration

It was most appropriate that this year's annual Francis Ledwidge Day Commemoration should take place on Sunday last, 3 August, the centenary of the day when  Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium.

The Inchicore Ledwidge Society  together with their friends and guests gathered at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin for what was their 19th such Ledwidge Day commemoration.

The guest speaker was former Senator Neville Keery and the afternoon of wreath laying and poetry readings was enlivened by the addition of members of the Thomas Mac Donagh Pipe Band, Martin Fogarty and Joe Barry, who played at intervals though the proceedings.

There was also a lively performance by actors Ian Meehan (as Frank) and Linda Teehan (as girlfriend, Shivvy) from Gerard Humphrey’s play ‘Friendly Fire’ to be staged at the New Theatre, Dublin on 29th September next.

Other guests included, Maireád Donnellan, Cavan, a member of Cavan/Meath LitLab group, who performed the poem that won her the Ledwidge Award 2013 (pictured below). Also present were Muriel Mac Auley, grand-daughter of Thomas Mac Donagh, Gaelic scholar, Declan Collinge and established poet Rosemary Rowley TCD.