The Island of Ireland Peace Park

The participation of Irish soldiers in the British Army during the First World War has always been a sensitive subject in both countries. Just before the war started a law had been prepared for Parliament that would have granted the Irish a degree of independence. It was almost certain that the law would have been passed, but the outbreak of war meant that the decision was postponed.

Opinion in Ireland was divided about whether they should support Great Britain during the conflict. Some people thought that it was illogical to fight for the freedom of Belgium when their own freedom had not yet been achieved. Others wanted to join in to secure British goodwill and ensure that the long-promised independence would be granted after the fighting was over. This latter view prevailed and the radicals were forced to forget their dreams - for now. And so the Irish, with many misgivings, went to war.

At this spot - just a few kilometres from Wijtschate, the place where the Irish battalions, both Catholic and Protestant, fought side by side - no reference is made to the Irish nation's political and religious differences. Instead, there are just the simple facts, simply told: 49,000 Irish dead between 1914 and 1918, with many thousands more wounded.

The tower is an old Irish ‘cloigtheach’ or ‘bellhouse’, of a kind originally built more than 1,000 years ago to warn of the approach of the Vikings. It was built by a group of Catholic and Protestant young people, working together.

The recumbent stones along the path are engraved diary extracts, quotations and poems from Irishmen who fought in the war.

A path from the back of the park leads to the New Zealand Division Memorial. You can also drive there by car.

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