Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday at Heverlee War Cemetery - Leuven

9th Annual Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday 9 November 2019 at Heverlee War Cemetery in Leuven.

The Irish in Europe Association (International) aisbl in compliance with its aims and objectives remembers all Irish and the Irish Diaspora in all armies who died in all wars and conflicts. IEAI remembers the Irish Diaspora in all Armies who participated during the liberation of Belgium in the first and second world wars.

This is the first time we have a commemoration in a WW 2 cemetery and put emphasis for the first time on those Irish who died in WW2.
We remember the Irish Diaspora regiment - Irish Guards as part of the Armored Guards Division that liberated Brussels in September 1944.
This year we recognise Irish Canadian Diaspora relationship and the Canadian relationship with Ireland and Belgium. For our Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions, we honoured George Brown Irish -Canadian for his services to the community. George is a former Naval Officer with the Canadian Navy and completed his career at the NATO HQ.
For our Remembrance Saturday wreath laying ceremony,we particularly recognise the three Sheehan Fermoy brothers from County Cork in Ireland that were killed during the Second World War fighting for the Royal Canadian Air Force.The brothers were Harry,Frank and Edward.
Bomb-aimer Edward Fanahan Sheehan was assigned to a squadron of Halifax bombers at RAF Snaith, in Yorkshire.His bomber was piloted by another Irishman, Patrick Keenan of Frenchpark, in Co Roscommon. The plane was targeting German-used railway yards at Montzen, Belgium, when it was shot down on April 28, 1944. Shortly after he died, Edward’s wife Mary gave birth to their son, Michael.
Edward, 29, is buried at Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Hence the main reason why we chose Heverlee for our Remembrance Saturday Commemoration.
Ireland was neutral during WW2, however some 70,000 Irish enlisted in the various Allied Armies. More Irish were killed in military uniform than Belgians in military uniform in WW2.
It is also important to be aware that 210,000 Irish volunteered in WW1, almost 40,000 fell in Flanders.

Let those who come after us see to it that their names be not forgotten”.
The IEAI will lay a wreath at the Central War Memorial in Heverlee War Cemetery and then there will be speeches & war- time poetry readings from Irish & Canadian poets at the Graveside of Bomb-aimer Edward Fanahan Sheehan.
After the ceremony, guests shall proceed for warm refreshments and or a meal at the Pakenhof Pub and Restaurant(next to church) at Pakenstraat 61,3001 Heverlee, Every one is welcome to come along to the ninth annual Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday ceremony.

Getting to Leuven bus & railway station from Brussels by Rail
Best to travel from Gard Du Nord. Stations from Midi & Gard Central not operating stops due rail works.
Get weekend return ticket.
Getting to Leuven bus & railway station from Brussels by Rail
use de-lijn bus 358 from following main stops in Brussels
Gare du Nord (Bus bay 6) Bontanique (Metro Connection),Daily, Meiser (Tram 25 & 7) .
The journey takes about 1 hour and quarter. Tickets cost 3 euro for each journey. You can buy ticket with mobile phone for 1.80 euro. If Delijn kiosk is open in Gare du Nord, you can buy Delijn Day ticket.
Allow one hour and quarter for Brussels -Leuven Journey.
https://delijn.be/en/lijnen/lijn/3/358/2/358_Brussel_-_Leuven#dienstregelingwww
Getting from Leuven to cemetery
Number 5 Bus: Wakkerzeel to/ Kazerne Vaalbeek platform 5. Get out at Kazerne (H.Hart)
Bus number 4: Herent to route destination Haasrode Platform 5 . Get out at Kazerne (H.Hart)
Allow 20 minutes for journey. time table.
https://delijn.be/en/lijnen/lijn/3/358/2/358_Brussel_-_Leuven#dienstregelingwww
“Your Donation much appreciated“
Name account: IEAI
IBAN: BE 82 8601 1591 3968
If details appear masked, go to link for bank number. http://irishineurope.org/brussels-saint-patricks-day-parade-fund-appeal/
info@irishineurope.org