An Taoiseach Micheal Martin to attend Bloody Sunday 50 anniversary memorial this weekend
The wreath will be laid in solemn remembrance of the 13 people shot dead by British paratroopers 50 years ago this weekend. A 14th person later died of their injuries.
The wreath-laying ceremony will take place at 11am, immediately after a ‘Family Walk of Remembrance’ which will re-trace the route of the original Civil Rights march.
The Taoiseach will later have a private meeting with members of the families in the Museum of Free Derry.
The Walk of Remembrance will set off from Creggan Shops at 9.15am and make its way to Rossville Street for the wreath-laying. The Bloody Sunday Trust says the walk is principally for family members. It has asked members of the public who wish to show their support for the families to do so in a responsible, socially-distanced way.
On Sunday afternoon, a specially recorded message from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will be shown for the first time at the ‘Beyond the Silence’ event in Guildhall Square.
The event will take place before a restricted audience, and the President’s message – to the Bloody Sunday families and the people of Derry – will be broadcast on a large screen and streamed live at bloodysunday50.com/live-events
Beginning at 4pm sharp on Sunday, ‘Beyond the Silence’ will be hosted by actor, Adrian Dunbar, and will feature tributes to the victims, musical and public performances.
Guildhall Square will fall silent at the precise time when, on January 30th, 1972, British paratroopers opened fire on civil rights marchers in the Bogside.
Attendance will be restricted during the event, in accordance with public health regulations for the pandemic. Free tickets to the event in Guildhall Square are available online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-silence-bloody-sunday-50-tickets-250120024727
Five hundred places have been reserved for family members.
The original complement of one thousand tickets for the wider public has been increased to 1,500, following the relaxation of some Covid restrictions.
Those planning to attend ‘Beyond the Silence’ are asked to assemble in Guildhall Square from 3.30pm on Sunday.
This year’s Bloody Sunday Memorial Lecture will be delivered in the Guildhall on Saturday by the former leader of the British Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn MP.
The Bloody Sunday Trust has chosen ‘One World One Struggle’ as the theme for its 50th anniversary commemorative programme.
Mr Corbyn has campaigned on matters relating to Bloody Sunday and has advocated the need for British soldiers to be held accountable for incidents during the Troubles.
The lecture will begin at 3pm on Saturday, and will be streamed live on: bloodysunday50.com/live-events/
Those attending the lecture in-person will be required to wear face coverings – unless medically exempt – and to provide proof of Covid-status Certification.
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