The National War Memorial Gardens played host to a Living History World War 1 re-enactment family day on Sunday 29 May 2016.
On the day, members of the re-enactment groups representing Irish soldiers who fought in World War I from the Irish Great War Society and their German counterparts representing a Royal Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr81 held talks and demonstrations on what life was like for a soldier in the Great War. The evolution of the German uniform was explained – from its highly decorative style at the start of the War to the adoption of a more practical uniform as the reality of war developed. A demonstration was also given of when gas masks were first introduced and how constant refinement was required as different gasses were deployed.
Also on display were a field hospital showing how the soldiers were treated at the Front and their accommodation. The Book Rooms were also open where members of the public could check the names of their relatives in the Memorial Books in which the names of all the Irish soldiers who lost their lives in the War are recorded. These books were restored in 2014 and depict magnificently illustrations by Harry Clarke. The illustrations are a combination of Celtic and Art Deco motifs,medals and badges, war panoramas and religious and mythological scenes.
Seamus Cashman also read poetry from the Great War poets including Thomas Kettle and Francis Ledwidge.
