Villiers visits Somme commemorations in Dublin

SoS Theresa Villiers has visited the Irish Government's Somme commemorations. Credit: UTV

The NI Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has visited the Irish Government’s Somme commemorations at Islandbridge in Dublin.

Ms Villiers joined the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, President Michael D Higgins and NI Assembly Speaker Robin Newton at the National War Memorial Gardens on Saturday.

‘I am honoured to represent the UK Government at this very special ceremony,” she said.

“During my tenure as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I have had the privilege of attending a number of Somme commemorations in France, most recently last Friday when we marked the 100th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

“So it is fitting that the Irish Government have ensured that those brave men are now being remembered for the part they played.

“In particular we commemorate today all those from the 16th Irish Division who sustained an agonising 4,300 casualties in successfully capturing Guillemont and Ginchy in September 1916.

“Just as in Great Britain, so across the island of Ireland there was virtually no corner left unaffected by the Battle of the Somme. The contribution and sacrifice of the men who fought in the battle was immense, and we should never forget it.”