Lourdes 2008: 2008

Article for Papers

Members of the Irish Defence Forces joined their colleagues from around the world to celebrate the 50th international military pilgrimage to Lourdes last week.
The pilgrimage was led by President of Ireland and commander and chief of the Irish defence forces Mary Mc Aleese and Roscommon born Chief of staff Lt. General Dermot Earley. In addition the Archbishop of Dublin Dr. Diarmud Martin, Lt. Gen Pat Nash the head of the EU-Chad mission, Castlerea native Brigadier General Padraig Callaghan General Officer Commanding 4th Western Brigade and the Irish Ambassador to France were all in attendance.
Members of the Irish Defence Forces from Athlone and Boyle joined members from around the country and played an important role in the proceedings. The Army Band based in Athlone and members of the pipe band of the 6th Bn. Custume Barracks led the parades and entertained pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage. In addition many pilgrims who were both serving and former members of the defence forces were from Co. Roscommon.
Among the older pilgrims with the Irish contingent was Georgie Tiernan a retired CQMS from Boyle. Georgie served in the Irish Forces during the Emergency and was also at the siege of Jadotville in the Congo with A Coy 35Bn in September 1961, in his later years Georgie served as CQMS with the 19Inf Bn. in Boyle until retirement.
This year marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Military Pilgrimage which was initiated in 1958 as a post World War Two healing process by the French and German authorities. The event has involved the Irish Defence Forces since its inception in 1958. The Defence Forces party included members of the Defence Forces, Civil Defence, Organisation of Ex-Servicemen and Women, the Irish United National Veterans Association and their families. The visit also marked the 150th anniversary of the shrine apparitions to St Bernadette which took place from February 11 to July 16, 1858. A total of 72,000 Irish people visited Lourdes in 2007 but this is expected to be exceeded this year due to the 150th anniversary celebrations