Marking wellington and waterloo
Local MEP Mairead McGuinness, vice-president of the European Parliament, will represent the Parliament at the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo today.
'It is an honour to represent the European Parliament at this event which is a such significance in European history and in which so many Irish men were involved and lost their lives,' she stated.
'Reflecting on the horrific battles and war times that Europe has endured serves as a reminder of how far we have come and what Europeans have achieved together,' said MS McGuinness, ahead of attending the event on behalf of the President of Parliament Martin Schulz.
The event is of significance for all European, including Irish, and Meath people.
'The Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley grew up in Trim. In addition many Irish men – probably one third of the soldiers on the battle field were Irish, so it is fitting that we remember them on this occasion.
Several special events have been organised to mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, including two large re-enactments of the battle.
Dublin events
Two hundred years ago, in June 1815, the Duke of Wellington commanded an army at Waterloo, about one third of whom were reputed to be Irish-born. Military historian Dan Harvey, a serving Lieutenant- Colonel in the Irish Defence Forces, will speak on the significance of this Irish involvement in Wellington's army, in the National Museum of Ireland Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
'The Irish at Waterloo' is on Sunday 21st June from 3pm - 4 pm. No booking is required, places will be allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before talk starts.
Meanwhile, today, the Office of Public Works will launch 'The Duke of Wellington Exhibition' to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre at 3.15pm.
The exhibition will be officially opened by John McMahon, Commissioner, OPW.
The exhibition covers the time line from the Duke's birth in 1769, his education, parliamentary career, his time as Chief Secretary to Ireland, his military career concluding with his State funeral in 1852. There are cartoons of the day covering his participation in Catholic Emancipation and other artefacts relating to Waterloo.
The Waterloo Picnic
A midsummer evening of words and music to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the great battle takes place on Saturday 20th June at 5pm at Dangan Obelisk, Summerhill, the Wellington family's ancestral home in Meath.
This unique event will feature the Delmaine Quartet and a cast of singers and actors in a programme of music, song, poetry and prose. Works by Haydn and Mozart will be performed alongside pieces by the Duke’s own father, Garret Wesley, who was first professor of music at Trinity College. Actors Michael James Ford and Gary Jermyn will relive the famous battle though poems, letters and the Duke's own military dispatches, while singers will deliver some of the popular airs of the period.
Spectators will be served spit-roast pig from the barbeque and will be encouraged to bring their own additional picnic supplies to make the most of this alfresco feast on a hillside overlooking Dangan castle. Tickets including parking and roast pork are €30, and early booking is advised on 046 943 1458.