Press Releases29 May 18

Archbishops of Armagh to jointly lead a Pilgrimage of Hope to Messines 30th May–1st June 2018

In 2016, the two Archbishops of Armagh, Archbishop Richard Clarke (Church of Ireland) and Archbishop Eamon Martin (Catholic Church), led a cross–community delegation of young people from across the island of Ireland on a pilgrimage to the battle sites of the Somme. Two years on, building on the previous pilgrimage and now marking the upcoming centenary of the end of the First World War, the Archbishops will once again lead a number of people of varying ages and backgrounds and representing the Protestant and Catholic traditions to historic and poignant sites relating to the First World War, culminating in a reflective visit to the Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines.

The delegation of 36 people will include a core group of 16 young adults who in visiting the War sites and memorials will be able to forge friendships and share their thoughts and hopes for the future while exploring their cultural identities. The sites on the pilgrimage will especially focus on the Battle of Messines and the arenas in which soldiers from the 16th (Irish), 10th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions fought and died in Belgium and France and will also include the laying of a peace wreath at the Menin Gate at Ypres.

The group will also visit: the city of Kortrijk; cemeteries and memorials including Thiepval Wood, Guillemont and the Ulster Tower; the Memorial Museum, Passchendaele, and Tyne Cot Cemetery.

In advance of the pilgrimage, which begins tomorrow, Archbishop Richard Clarke and Archbishop Eamon Martin said, ‘We will have much to learn from this joint trip, and from each other in the group. It is our vision that the pilgrimage will be a witness to hope and that the visits to these important and symbolic sites in the centenary year of the end of the First World War will enable us to forge even greater friendships and work yet harder for peace together in the future.’

The following is an outline itinerary for the centenary pilgrimage:

Wednesday 30th May

• Depart from Dublin for Brussels, travel to Kortrijk, Belgium – explore Kortrijk which was heavily bombed in 1917.

Thursday 31st May

• Visit cemeteries and memorials linked to the 36th Ulster Division and 16th Irish Division, including Thiepval Wood, Guillemont and the Ulster Tower.

• Travel to Ypres for the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony including a wreath–laying ceremony at 8.00pm.

Friday 1st June

• Prayers and time for reflection at the Irish Peace Park, Messines.

• Visit to the Memorial Museum, Passchendaele, and Tyne Cot Cemetery

• Depart Brussels for return flight to Dublin