Members of Dunnalong Parish Church in Bready gathered on Saturday morning – Armistice Day – for an Act of Remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom in last century’s two World Wars and in more recent conflicts. A two-minute silence was observed and wreaths were laid during a short Service, which was led by Rev Arthur Burns.
This weekend, Dunnalong is one of a number of Church of Ireland parishes in the Diocese holding festivals of remembrance. Camus-Juxta-Bann (Macosquin) and Tamlaghtfinlagan (Ballykelly) are also hosting exhibitions, holding special church services, and organising Acts of Remembrance.
The three-day festival in Dunnalong includes a display of wartime and Troubles-related memorabilia. Among its most striking exhibits are a S.E.F.F. memorial quilt bearing the names of dozens of people (members of the security forces and civilians) who lost their lives in the Troubles, and a ‘giant poppy net’ comprising 3,000 handcrafted flowers. Two members of Leckpatrick & Dunnalong MU, Ruby Hamilton and Jean Olphert, mustered the support of colleagues and friends to knit the poppies.
The festival will end on Sunday evening with a Special Remembrance Service, at 7.30pm, during which Bishop Andrew will preach the sermon.
