My thanks to Bridget McCarthy for sending me this photo which is of great interest. Bridget’s daughter took the photo at the National Memorial Arboretum , Alrewas, Staffordshire. It’s a year round centre of remembrance for all those people who lost their lives since WW2.
The photo will be of interest to people in Ring... three local men died when a mine was picked up in the trawl of their boat, the Naomh Garbhan. Two of the men were father and son; John Griffin,(Senior) from Helvick and John (Junior) also from Helvick.The third man was named Nicholas Cuddihy, also from Helvick.
The Arboretum was started about 12 years ago, and it now covers 150 acres. There are more than 150 memorials, and over 50,000 trees and sculptures. It is being added to continuously.
Bridget has also planted a tree there in memory to her late Husband.
Visitors from all walks of life number around 300,000 per year, including Service personnel, veterans, and students of all ages, groups and individuals. Over 200 special events are held annually. The Act of Remembrance, including a Silence, is observed daily in the Millennium Chapel.
You can visit the website by clicking on ; http://www.thenma.org.uk
