History will be made in the grounds of Enniskillen Castle in September when the Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment will be joined by the Irish Defence Forces Army No.1 Band for a Beating Retreat to commemorate the actions of Irish men at the Battle of Somme.
One hundred years after the battle which claimed huge numbers of Irishmen, this will be a symbolic way to commemorate the event which takes place on Saturday evening, September 10.
Neil Armstrong, Curator-Manager of the Inniskillings Museum commented: “This is a highly significant event honouring the Irish sacrifice at the Somme. Every county on this island was touched by the war and this is a unique history-making occasion to commemorate the actions of the two Divisions through the combined musical talents of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Defence Forces.”
The 16th and 36th Divisions were authorised in September 1914, and reflected in their composition the differing political and religious divisions in Ireland which had brought the country to the brink of civil war in early 1914.
The 16th (Irish) Division’s soldiers were mainly nationalist, Roman Catholic and loyal to the idea of Irish self-government. Many of them had been in the Irish Volunteer Movement to defend Home Rule. All the Irish infantry regiments of the line served in the 16th: the Royal Irish Regiment, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Rifles, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, Royal Munster Fusiliers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Leinster Regiment.
The 36th (Ulster) Division’s men were largely unionist, Protestant and loyal to the Empire. Many of them had been in the Ulster Volunteer Force to oppose Home Rule. It was based on the three regiments based in Ulster: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Rifles and Royal Irish Fusiliers.
In 1916 the 36th (Ulster) Division went over the top on the first day at the Battle of the Somme, July 1, near Thiepval Wood, where they lost more than 5,000 men, including over 2,000 killed. The 16th (Irish) Division experienced the Somme for the first time in September, welcomed with the words: “Everyone will receive a Cross; whether wooden or Military, depends on your luck”. The Division captured the villages of Guillemont and Ginchy between September 4-9 at huge cost, with over 1,000 killed.
Richard Bennett, a Trustee at the Inniskillings Museum concluded: “The divided Ireland of the years after the end of the First World War afforded the 36th (Ulster) Division the honour of recognition for heroic sacrifice, while the 16th (Irish) Division was forgotten. In the words of Thomas Kettle, it became ‘a secret sacrifice.’ 100 years on, we can now give an equal tribute to the bravery and suffering of the men of both Divisions.”
The Beating Retreat is a standing-only outdoor event with gates opening at 5pm and the performance commencing promptly at 6pm. Admission is by ticket only, priced £8 each, and are available from the Inniskillings Museum reception at Enniskillen Castle, through the museum’s online shop at www.inniskillingsmuseum.com or by calling the museum office on +44 (0) 28 6632 3142.