A MEMORIAL to the 100 men from Mountmellick and the surrounding areas who died during World War I will take place this Sunday. The crafted stone memorial is to be placed just outside Mountmellick library and will be unveiled by foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan. It will contain an inscription and the names of 100 men who died during World War I and who came from Mountmellick Church of Ireland and Catholic parishes, which includes Mountmellick, Castlebrack, Clonaghadoo, Emo, Rosenallis and Coolbanagher.

The event is one of a series of events in Mountmellick as part of a commemorative festival organised by the Mountmellick World War I Research and Commemorative Group. Events kicked off last weekend with a concert of spoken word, music, song, and dance.

A war-time exhibition is also being held in the Mountmellick museum with artefacts of the era and an ecumenical service was held in St Joseph’s Church. There is information in the exhibition about the men from the town who died. Organisers are also looking for information about others from Mountmellick who may have served in World War I. Those who have information can fill out a form at the exhibition.

The unveiling of the memorial will take place on Sunday at 3pm. There will be a band-led march to the library from St Joseph’s church at 2.30pm. At 4pm, in the Macra hall, Stories, Poems and Songs from World War I, performed by Macra members and compiled by Sheelagh Coyle, will take place.