Relatives of soldiers honoured in the Book of Honour at Friday's launch
A new (5th) edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour was officially launched on Friday evening (7th June) in the Donegal County Museum on what was the 102nd anniversary of the first day of the battle of Messines. Many extended family members of some of those honoured in the book were in attendance.
This is the fifth edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour which contains the names of all those from Donegal who died during the First World War.
The County Donegal Book of Honour was first published in 2002 and was the culmination of the hard work and dedication of the late Paddy Harte Snr and the County Donegal Book of Honour Committee who oversaw the research and compilation of all the information contained within the Book.
Wife of the late Paddy Harte Snr, Rosaleen attended Friday evening's launch with his daughters Mary, Roisin and Eithne and Mary spoke eloquently about her father's journey and of the mammoth task of collating the "many letters and medals in peoples attics and homes across Donegal" to produce the first edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour.
Mrs. Rosaleen Harte with daughters Roisin, Eithne and Mary with Museum Curator Judith McCarthy at launch event
Over the last number of years Donegal County Museum has worked with a small but dedicated committee to update the County Donegal Book of Honour building on the great work done almost 17 years ago. The Committee included Una Mathewson, Eddie O’Kane, Mary Harte, Judith McCarthy and Caroline Carr.
Speaking at the event, Judith McCarthy Curator at Donegal County Musuem said “it is really important that we remember all those who lost their lives during World War 1. There were many Donegal families who lost loved ones during the War and this edition of the book has been published as a tribute to all those from the county who died. I would like to thank everyone from across Donegal and further afield who sent us information so that we have as complete a record as possible.
“With more records being made available online we have discovered the names of other people from Donegal who died during the war and these have been included in this edition of the book”.
Military Historian Richard Doherty gave a talk at the launch on the Donegal connections with World War 1 and presented details of many of those honoured in the book.
Tracy McRory, Richard Laird and Caitlyn McNulty performed at the ceremony and Barbara McClune and John Rosborough represented Private Jim Maultsaid whose illustrations have been used in the Book of Honour.
This edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and by the Creative Ireland Programme.
For further information contact Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Tel: 074 9124613 Email: [email protected]
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