Memorial service to mark war anniversary

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim later this month to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014, and the largest attack on a European country since World War II, at least 10,000 civilians including more than 560 children have been killed and over 18,500 injured since Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The memorial service will be conducted by Fr Kevin Fay and Fr Vasily from the Ukrainian Church.

The Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland (AURI) is currently working on curating a photographic exhibition to mark the event taking account of the experiences of Ukrainian living in Ireland over the past 24 months.

The exhibition of photographs will go on display for one week at the Johnston Library in Cavan Town.

A director at AURI, local man Sergiy Balan, explained: “The exhibition will go on display at the library. We have already arranged that. It will be up before February 24 and, on that date, we will have a memorial at the Cathedral also. The exhibition will be photographs by Ukrainians and how they see Ireland through their eyes living here.”

He says the memorial service, which starts at 4:30pm, will be poignant in that it will be 730 days since the invasion first started, and 730 steps from the library to the cathedral. It will also see performances by Belturbet-based Don Mescall, Nyah's Martin Donohoe, and the Cathedral Choir.

“It will be an opportunity for Irish and Ukrianians to pray together, pray for Ukraine and for all the people who have died. There will be a small concert afterwards with Martin Donohoe and the choir. It will also give Ukrainians a chance to say thanks for the welcome and care that Irish people have shown our community here.”

Refreshments at a cake sale will take place afterwards, with more entertainment provided by traditional and Irish and Ukrainian artists and musicians.