I'm guessing that this isn't news to a lot of you, but it was new to me: We were touring the WW1 battlefield around Ypres, and visited the Ireland Peace Park. I had no idea that a Irish round tower had been built in Belgium.
I was staying in Talbot House, which was a WW1 clubhouse for UK forces in Popenridge, which was behind the lines for 3 years. They had a book on it's construction in their library which was very interesting, good that they were able to pull it off. Nice that they were able to use stone from a former workhouse, and they later learned an Irish KIA was born in that workhouse.
I understand that not all supported those who served in the 'English Army', but as a former soldier, it is good to see the common joes remembered. The entryway is lined with 9 tablet's w/ short segments from letters and poems written by Irish soldiers. None glorify what they witnessed, and reflect their horrific experiences.
Throughout the area, their are memorials to the various Irish Divisions and individual soldiers and chaplins. Just as there are throughout the battlefields of the Civil War in the US, and wars all over, I guess. No real point. I just like that they are remembered.
The Round Tower in Ypres is a modern, 'Replica Tower' -- much like the O'Connell Monument at Glasnevin https://www.glasnevinmuseum.ie/tower/ Another, commemorating the dead of 1798, is sited in Wexford. The fact that they aren't 'Real' Round Towers does NOT demean their significance -- nor, the sanctity of their intent.
There are several other, 'Faux' towers (even, TWO in the USA!) that were built during the mid-1800s as well as 2002:
https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150524/NEWS/150527860 and https://www.upi.com/Ryanair-founder-brings-Ireland-to-Kentucky/47681106742504/
Elsewhere in Ireland are also a number of Replicas: http://www.roundtower.de/Home.html
It's a bit of an obsession . . .
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Bob
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