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guided tour to Ireland's Battlefields and Military Heritage |
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MILITARY HERITAGE TOURS LTD NEWSLETTER
Season's greetings and I hope that this newsletter finds you in good health.
2003 will be a busy year for MHTL and we are looking forward to an interesting programme.
As plans develop and as tours are completed, we will publish updates from time to time and will keep you informed as time goes on
TOURS
2003 will be our second year "on the ground" and we will for the first time be going overseas to where the Irish soldier fought in World War 1 and World War 2. Normandy will be our first port of call. A tour to Arnhem is also in the pipeline. We intend also to visit the Somme, the details of which will be announced soon.
The popular home tours continue and have expanded. The Williamite Tour has gone from 3 days to a full week and the West Cork Trail will be repeated several times, according to demand. Details of the 1916 Tour will be on the web shortly.
SEMINAR
In addition to tours we are planning MHTL's first seminar to take place on the weekend of 12/13 April in the National Folklife Museum, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The theme of this seminar will be Connaught's Military Heritage. This seminar arose from Remembrance Sunday, which was held in Swinford, Co. Mayo. Among the topics that will be discussed will be:
Connaught Wild Geese
Connaught Rangers
Connaught Soldiers in the Great War
Connaught Soldiers in the War of Independence
Connaught Soldiers today.
In addition to the above themes there will be help desks and lectures devoted to how to trace your veteran relatives and the care and maintenance of militaria.
The following individuals and organisations will attend:
Mr. Michael Feeney and Mr. P.J. Clarke of Mayo Reconciliation
Mr. David Truesdale, co-author of "Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross" and author of "Brotherhood of the Cauldron"
The Military Heritage Trust of Ireland
The Somme Heritage Centre, Mr. Craig McGuicken
Military Archives, Commandant Laing
Irish Veterans Memorial Project
RMFA
RDFA
Conaught Rangers Association, Mr. Oliver Fallon.
Military Heritage Tours Ltd
An Cosantóir
This seminar is proving to be
very popular and a large attendance is expected. Apply to dbuckley@anu.ie
for
a Registration Sheet
DEDICATION
The second project is the dedication of the grave of Sergeant Major Coughlan VC. This old Irish warrior lies in an unmarked grave in Westport, Co. Mayo where he died of natural causes in Feb 1915 aged 89. He won his VC in 1857, for heroism under fire, while saving comrade soldiers during an action in the Indian Mutiny. A collection will be organised to facilitate the erection of a suitable headstone over this warriors grave. The date of the ceremony to be announced.
BOOK LAUNCH
In January Mr. David Truesdale will hold the Dublin launch of his latest book "Brotherhood of the Cauldron". This book deals with the Irish in the British Airborne Forces. Details of MHTL's Arnhem tour will be announced at this launch
Seminar on Connaught’s Military Heritage 12/13 April
1916 Tour April 21/23
The Williamite Trail July 01
West Cork Trail throughout the year.
FUTURE EVENTS
The Somme
Arnhem