Gallipoli 100, a centenary commemorative event to mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the WW1 Dardanelles campaign, takes place in Kells, Co. Meath, Friday 24-Sunday 26 April.
Among the highlights will be a concert from Declan O’Rourke and Guests, entitled Poems of War – Songs of Peace, featuring the WWI songs of Eric Bogle, and poetry of the era read by Welsh poet Nerys Williams.
The weekend will comprise talks, tours, drama, poetry and music, with contributors from Ireland –including Myles Dungan of RTÉ Radio 1’s The History Show - and academics from England, Australia and Turkey. The event takes place on the centenary of the first landings by troops from Ireland, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. On April 26, a day of lectures will include a Turkish perspective from Murat Balandi.
The numbers of Irishmen serving in the Gallipoli campaign was approximately 15,000, a fatality rate of almost 27%. All events will take place in St.Columba’s Church of Ireland church, Market St, Kells. For tickets, phone 046 9240055 or kells@hayfestival.org. Tickets to Poems of War – Songs of Peace, which commences at 8.00pm, Saturday April 25 are 12 Euro.
