Sights on the Somme: A WW1 soldier sets his sights on the Somme in commemoration of the centenary of the Battle. Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop to a spectacular commemoration event next Friday 1st July, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to remember the Somme 100 years on. The three hour extravaganza will chart the Battle of the Somme through moving military, orchestral and dramatic performances including special appearances by classical soloist Aled Jones and All-Ireland fiddle champion, Tracey McRory (pictured). For free tickets to the event visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/somme or call 0300 124 5000.Pic by Simon Graham/Harrison photography
Sights on the Somme: A WW1 soldier sets his sights on the Somme in commemoration of the centenary of the Battle. Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop to a spectacular commemoration event next Friday 1st July, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to remember the Somme 100 years on. The three hour extravaganza will chart the Battle of the Somme through moving military, orchestral and dramatic performances including special appearances by classical soloist Aled Jones and All-Ireland fiddle champion, Tracey McRory (pictured). For free tickets to the event visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/somme or call 0300 124 5000.pic by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography
Sights on the Somme: A WW1 soldier sets his sights on the Somme in commemoration of the centenary of the Battle. Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop to a spectacular commemoration event next Friday 1st July, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to remember the Somme 100 years on. The three hour extravaganza will chart the Battle of the Somme through moving military, orchestral and dramatic performances including special appearances by classical soloist Aled Jones and All-Ireland fiddle champion, Tracey McRory (pictured). For free tickets to the event visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/somme or call 0300 124 5000.Pic by Simon Graham/Harrison photography
Remembering the Somme 100 years on: Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, is joined by a WW1 soldier to commemorate the centenary of the Battle. Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop to a spectacular commemoration event next Friday 1st July, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to remember the Somme 100 years on. The three hour extravaganza will chart the Battle of the Somme through moving military, orchestral and dramatic performances including special appearances by classical soloist Aled Jones and All-Ireland fiddle champion, Tracey McRory. For free tickets to the event visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/somme or call 0300 124 5000.Pic by Simon Graham / Harrison Photography
Remembering the Somme 100 years on: Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, is joined by a WW1 soldier to commemorate the centenary of the Battle. Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop to a spectacular commemoration event next Friday 1st July, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to remember the Somme 100 years on. The three hour extravaganza will chart the Battle of the Somme through moving military, orchestral and dramatic performances including special appearances by classical soloist Aled Jones and All-Ireland fiddle champion, Tracey McRory. For free tickets to the event visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/somme or call 0300 124 5000. Pic by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography
Carrickfergus Castle will be the backdrop for a Northern Ireland Somme Centenary Festival of Remembrance this Friday 1 July 2016.
Internationally acclaimed soloist, Aled Jones will take front of stage against the backdrop of Carrickfergus Castle, as the town marks the Northern Ireland Somme Centenary Festival of Remembrance with an open-air concert on the evening of 1 July.
Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the WW1 Centenary Committee, the regional event will mark one hundred years since the first day of the Battle of the Somme. It led to the loss of close to 20,000 allied troops, out of a total of nearly 60,000 casualties, just on the first day alone.
As many as 4,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will include a veterans’ parade featuring members of the Royal British Legion and led by the Band of the Irish Guards. The parade will set off from Marine Gardens car park at approximately 7pm and proceed along Scotch Quarter to the War Memorial where it will halt for a Wreath Laying ceremony before continuing along the Marine Highway towards Carrickfergus Castle passing The Queen’s Lord Lieutenant, Joan Christie OBE who will be taking the salute as the Queen’s representative at the event.
The parade will culminate under the historic walls of Carrickfergus Castle, where spectators will follow the story of the Battle of the Somme through military and orchestral music, drama performances and recitals featuring letters from the trenches that will chart an emotional journey in a three-hour spectacular.
Outgoing Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Billy Ashe, said: “We’re really excited by the planned programme for this the regional commemorative event and are honoured to be hosting on behalf of Northern Ireland. This is a fitting way to mark the service and sacrifice of so many, both from across the Borough and beyond, who went ‘over the top’ on that first day – and subsequent months – of the bloody Battle of the Somme.
“While tickets are free of charge, I would urge people to apply for them early and to come along and enjoy the spectacle and recall the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers who gave so much 100 years ago,” he added.
Tickets are available from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council by phoning 0300 124 5000 or by calling at any of the Visitor Information Centres in Carrickfergus, Larne or Ballymena.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is the lead partner in the delivery of Northern Ireland’s Somme Centenary Festival of Remembrance, working with the WW1 Centenary Committee, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal British Legion and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
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