22 April 2015

Simon Harris TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (22 April 2015) welcomed the completion of the conservation of the Memorial Books at the War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin 8.

Speaking this morning, Minister Harris said: "It gives me great pleasure to be here at the War Memorial Gardens to mark the completion of the conservation project of the roll of honour of the Irish war dead from World War 1. My office, the OPW, commissioned a major conservation programme for the books in September 2012 and the Conservation Department of Marsh's Library recently completed this meticulous process".

The rolls of honour consist of eight volumes, containing 3,177 pages, and magnificently illustrated by Harry Clarke. The records were originally compiled in 1923 and copies were available in libraries in the Imperial War Museum, Vatican Library, the Library of Congress and the State Archive in Brussels. The volumes record the names of the Irish who fought for the allied armies from 1914 to 1918.

The Minister concluded: "These wonderful gardens, as designed by Sir Edward Lutyens and managed by my office, are a fine memorial to the 49,400 Irish soldiers who lost their lives in the Great War. I am proud that these beautifully illustrated volumes have now been returned to the Gardens. There are many important and poignant anniversaries to be honoured and I know that visitors appreciate the symbolism of the gardens, the book rooms and now these fully conserved Memorial Books".

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For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer – mobile 087 947 5552, landline 01 647 6128/046 942 6128 or email colette.davis@opw.ie

Notes to Editors:

Photographs will be available from Maxwell Photography

Memorial Books: The roll of honour consists of 8 volumes of books. Each book was conserved in turn using heat sensitive tissue paper. The illustrations by Harry Clarke depict combination of Celtic and Art Deco motifs, medals and badges, war panoramas, religious and mythical scenes.

War Memorial Gardens
Islandbridge
Dublin 8.

Gardens Open: Monday - Friday 08.00, Saturday - Sunday 10.00

Gardens Close: According to Daylight hours

Access to Bookrooms: By arrangement with local management

Admission: Free