Island of Ireland Peace Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island of Ireland Peace Park |
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The Peace Park's symbolic Irish Round Tower.
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| For the soldiers of the island of Ireland who died, were wounded or are missing from World War I | |
| Unveiled | 11 November 1998 |
| Location | 50°45′35.28″N 2°53′41.13″E / 50.7598000°N 2.8947583°E near |
| Designed by | Traditional Irish round tower |
The Island of Ireland Peace Park (also called the Irish Peace Park or Irish Peace Tower) is a special place in Messines, near Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. It's a war memorial that remembers soldiers from the whole island of Ireland who died, were hurt, or went missing during World War I.
This tower is close to where a big battle happened in June 1917, called the Battle of Messines Ridge. In this battle, two Irish army groups, the 16th (Irish) Division and the 36th (Ulster) Division, fought together.
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Why the Peace Park Was Built
After World War I, and because of events like the Easter Rising in 1916 and the split of Ireland in 1922, not much was done in the Republic of Ireland to remember the Irish soldiers who died. Other countries that fought in the war built national monuments to honor their fallen soldiers. This made some people feel sad or forgotten.
The Island of Ireland Peace Park was built to remember all soldiers from the island of Ireland. It doesn't matter what their background, religion, or political beliefs were. It also stands as a sign of peace and friendship today. Inside the tower, there are books with the names of many soldiers who died.
Starting the Project
The idea for the Peace Park came from Paddy Harte, a member of the Irish Parliament. He worked with Glen Barr from Northern Ireland. Together, they started a group called 'A Journey of Reconciliation Trust'. This group included people from different churches and leaders from both parts of Ireland.
The Irish government and the Northern Ireland Office helped pay for the project. Many other groups also supported it. The Peace Park and its Celtic Round Tower were finished in just two years.
Opening Day
The park was officially opened on November 11, 1998. The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, led the ceremony. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and King Albert II of Belgium were also there. This was a very important moment in Irish history. It was the first time an Irish leader officially honored the Irish soldiers who died in World War I. It was also the first time an Irish leader and a British monarch met publicly for such an event.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission helps take care of the park. On opening day, the Irish President apologized for what she called the 'national amnesia'. This meant that Ireland had not properly remembered its soldiers from World War I.
How the Tower Looks
The tower is about 110-foot (34 m) tall. It looks like a traditional Irish round tower. Some of the stone used to build it came from an old British Army building in County Tipperary. Other stones came from a workhouse near Mullingar, County Westmeath.
A special part of the design is how the sun shines inside. The sun lights up the inside of the tower only at 11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month. This is the exact time and date when World War I officially ended. It's also the time for a minute of silence on Remembrance Day.
Every year on Armistice Day, a ceremony is held at the park. Similar ceremonies happen at the nearby Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
Important Speeches
On June 7, 2004, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, spoke at the park. He said that honoring the spirit of the Irish soldiers from World War I can help us learn how to continue the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Peace Pledge
In the middle of the park, there is a bronze plaque on a granite pillar. It has a special message called the Peace Pledge.
Exploring the Park
When you enter the park, on your left, there are four granite pillars. They have plaques in four languages: Irish, English, Dutch, and French. These plaques remember the opening of the park on November 11, 1998.
Messines Peace Village
Because of the Peace Park, the Messines Peace Village was built nearby. This is a place where groups, like schools and youth groups, can stay and hold meetings.
The first stone for the Peace Village was placed on June 7, 2005. The Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, was there. One year later, on June 7, 2006, the Peace Village officially opened. Many important people attended, including the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, and the British Minister for Northern Ireland, David Hanson.
Images for kids
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Chaplain Francis Gleeson's letter home from the front. Chaplain Gleeson served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
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Charles Miller's letter home from the front. Charles Miller served in the 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers.
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Terence Poulter's letter home from the front. Terence Poulter served in the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
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David Starret's letter home from the front. David Starret served in the 9th Royal Irish Rifles.
Related Places to Learn More
- Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Dublin, Ireland
- Peace Park, Dublin, Ireland
- Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
- Ulster Tower Memorial, Thiepval, France.
