Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday- Remembering the Wild Geese

I3th Annual Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday Commemoration
Hosted by Landen on 11th November 2023
This year Landen hosts the annual Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday on 11 November in recognition of the anniversaries of the Battles of Landen in 1693 (Slag bij Neerwinden) and 1793 in which the members of the Irish Military Diaspora Regiments (known as the Wild Geese) fought. The 1693 Battle of Landen is best known to Irish readers where the Irish Brigade fought under the command of General Patrick Sarsfield - the heroic defender of Limerick during sieges of 1690 and 1691 and where he was mortally wounded and was later buried in Huy. Legend has it that his dying words were ‘Oh, that this were for Ireland’.
On Saturday 11 November guests can arrive in Landen by train, bus, or car. Full details of available public transport will be provided. Guests are first invited to join the Landen community for their annual 11 November commemorations.
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 and Europe in the first and second world wars. We remember the Irish Diaspora regiment - Irish Guards as part of the Armoured Guards Division that liberated Brussels in September 1944. We also visit this year the Landen Town Hall memorial that remembers the Irish Guards regiment that liberated Landen.
Draft Itinerary
10.00-10.15am Gathering at Landen Town Hall (Stadhuis)with group photo with Meneer Gino DEBROUX , Bourgmeester/ Mayor at memorial to the Irish Guards Regiment that liberated Landen in 1944.
10.15 Remembrance Saturday guests are invited to join the local community in a procession from Town Hall to the local war monument (oorlogsmonument) on Maarstraat at junction with Kerkstraat. Irish Wolfhounds in Irish colours will form part of this procession. Following the laying of wreaths, there will be a remembrance ceremony with an Irish Poem by Irish poet Willian Butler Yeats read dedicated to the Irish who died in WW2. Concert Band playing Belgian National Anthem (La Brabanconne) and Last Post.
After this, the guests will continue in procession to War monument in the local cemetery (Kerkhof) via Oscar Huysecomlaanen and enter cemetery at Rumdortstraa cemetery street entrance for another wreath laying ceremony with another Irish poem with an Irish Poem by Irish poet Francis Ledwidge read dedicated to the Irish that died in WW1. A Soldier's Grave. Concert Band playing Belgian National Anthem (La Brabanconne) and Last Post.
11.30 Guests proceed to Holy Cross Chapel ‘’Battles of Landen, Wild Geese & Peace Ceremony’’. (carpooling from town centre is being organised for those that do not have cars)
The Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday joint wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Holy Cross Chapel-Neerwinden at memorial park on the Battles of Landen Battlefield site. You will be able to view the Battlefield site where General Patrick Sarsfield was mortally wounded.
Some poems or extracts of poems will be read about Patrick Sarsfield, the Wild Geese, wartime, and peace poems will be read in English,Irish Flemish and Frenchand at least one will be from Limerick in recognition of the Sarsfield connection.
The wreath with Irish and Belgian colours will be dedicated to all the Irish who died in all wars and to all those that died in the Battles of Landen. It will be jointly laid by the Mayor of Landen, Meneer Gino DEBROUX, Bourgmeester/ Mayor and an Irish Representative.
The moment of Silence will be dedicated to all these Irish that died in all wars and those in the battles of Landen with a special reference to the Irish Guards Regiment that liberated Landen in 1944.
12.30 there will be a reception near Town Hall hosted by the Landen Council. Remembrance Saturday Guests are welcome to attend provided they register in advance. (Registration details to follow).
Speeches will be delivered by the Burgmeester/Mayor Meneer Gino Debroux and Irish Representatives with commemoration message(s) from Ireland and reading of poems.
14.00 optional visit to a bistro/restaurant near the Town Hall in Landen for social event where you can purchase a drink and or meal. All Remembrance Saturday Guests are welcome to join with members of the local community.
-Full Itinerary and precise locations to be announced closer to date. Registration [info(at)irishineurope.org](mailto:info@irishineurope.org)
“Your Donation is 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/
Photo courtesy of Landen Council and Helena Stevens @illustratorix