Authorities in Heuvelland, Belgium have sent a promotional leaflet prepared to raise consciousness of the “THE IRISH/ULSTER CONNECTION” in the regional programme entitled “THE WIJTSCHATE MESSINES RIDGE EXPERIENCE”.

Have a look at their flyer attached herewith and also visit their site:- www.theridge.be

The website describes their recommended daytrip for students and visitors:-

“The experience starts in Locre with thousands of young men, who are eager to advance, as though going to a picnic. However, their cry of “we’ll be back before the leaves start to fall!” soon changes into “we’ll be back by Christmas.” Sadly, most of them never returned; some were shot at dawn.

We will pass the grave of Major William Redmond, an Irish nationalist member of parliament, who believed that Irish participation in the war would result in Home Rule for Ireland. Private John Meeke did not agree with that belief and although their convictions were totally different, they both were fighting the same war. We follow them to the battle field and ponder their motives.

We will cross the Kemmelberg, passing through a fascinating historical landscape, and look upon the valley where both Unionists and Nationalists stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the signal to attack.

The documentary “Zero Hour” will help us learn why the real heroes of Zero Hour were mine- and sewage workers, and we will visit Kemmel Château Cemetery to find out about the hell of Petit Bois.

We move on to Bayernwald and Croonaert Chapel to have look behind enemy lines and try to imagine what Wijtschate looked like after that infamous day in June. After all, for the German troops, 7 June was to be just another day in the trenches.

We will then cross Suicide Road and stop at the columns which commemorate tolerance, and the mutual support given to each other in the heat of battle by Unionists and Nationalists. We will pass Peckham Crater and reflect at the Pool of Peace, a tranquil relic of a chaotic battlefield.

We then move on towards Messines, where we will discover that the soldiers in the trenches did know it was Christmas, and how a couple of football matches took place in a brief moment of peace, and inspired the soldiers.

At the border of the Ridge, we finally arrive at the Island of Ireland Peace Park with its round tower. We will then pause and reflect on the peace pledge, which was signed by every county of Ireland.

The Peace Village is situated in a unique rural surrounding, marked by World War I. It provides excellent accommodation for youth and school groups, organisations, families and individuals. As a ‘peace centre’ it also offers a facility to young people from conflict areas in Europe and beyond, who can come to Messines in the framework of peace education and conflict resolution.”   

diensthoofd cultuur en welzijn

dienst cultuur

Bergstraat 24, 8950 Heuvelland (Kemmel)

Tel. 057/45.04.71 – Fax 057/44.56.04