South Armagh Somme Association host general meeting

The 1st Annual General Meeting took place on the 221st January in Ballymoyer Hall Newtownhamilton of the South Armagh Branch Ancre Somme Association, with a large number of members present.

Originally formed following an exploratory meeting in November 2012, the group’s goals are to educate, explore and remember the events surrounding the Battle of the Somme which began on the 1st July 1916; with specific relevance to the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Based in the greater South Armagh area and its hinterlands, the branch centres its area on the old South Armagh Parliamentary constituency in existence in 1916, covering the districts of Newtownhamilton and Markethill right down to the border including Poyntzpass and Bessbrook; whilst also stretching its boundaries to cover the Armagh Monaghan border areas of Keady, Middletown and Tynan.

Branch Chairperson Quincey Dougan told Newry Times that the group had a very active 2103. “We have hosted a very successful historical seminar, taken part in several commemoration events; and facilitated other events across the district.

“We are determined to do even more in 2014 to highlight and increase understanding around the events and personalities of the Great War”, he added.

Several events have been arranged to mark the centenary of the First World War, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the organisation you can visit their facebook page online at www.facebook.co.uk/southarmaghsomme

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jan 30 2014. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry