Sir, - Kevin Myers rightly castigated Guinness and Bord Failte (Irishman's Diary, May 30th) for refusing to help sponsor the commemoration service for the 80th anniversary of Major William Redmond's death in the Great War. To the list of shame I must add Wexford City Council, which also failed to reply to the organisers' attempt to arouse its interest in a ceremony to honour one of the town's most famous sons.
But Kevin Myers perhaps also gives the impression that the event was fatally damaged by this disrespect. Nothing could be further from the truth. I recently returned from the ceremony in Belgium. It began with a walk over the area where Willie Redmond was wounded and died. There was then a service at the memorial cross to the 16th (Irish) Division at Wystchaete (with a guard of honour supplied by the Belgian army). We then went to the town hall at Loker (near where Willie Redmond is buried) for an exhibition on the Irish part in the Great War.
In the afternoon a series of speeches took place (and as the biographer of Willie Redmond I was very honoured and pleased to speak about him). We followed this with a visit to the grave accompanied by local musicians playing, very skilfully, an Irish lament. At the ceremony, as well as several hundred local people, were John and Mary Green, direct descendants of John Redmond. Willie's brother, Mr James Carroll, the first secretary of the Irish Embassy in Brussels, made a very gracious speech.
The ceremony reflected very well on Erwin Ureel, who had spent much time and money to organise the events, and on the town officials of Loker, who did much to make sure that the day was a great success and that a fine Irishman was honoured.
To add to Irish discomfiture I must point out that several Belgian companies gave sponsorship. The Belgian press, TV and radio all showed an interest. - Yours, etc.,
Worcester Gardens,
London SW1.