Minister Brendan Howlin TD inspects the Navy personal at the laying of wreaths at the Commodore Barry Memorial. Pic: Jim Campbell
The unique relationship between Wexford and the United States was the theme for reflection at the 58th wreath-laying ceremony at the Commodore John Barry Memorial at Cresceny Quay, Wexford, where the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, T.D., inspected the guard of honour before delivering the keynote address.
Minister Howlin said Barry Day had two distinct and important functions; To remember our maritime heritage and to honour all Wexford’s sons and daughters who went to see, and secondly, to mark the unique friendship and kinship between the people of Ireland , and particularly the people of Wexford, and the people of the United States of America.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor, said it was an important event in Wexford’s civic calendar and he welcomed the Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe, T.D., Minister Howlin, Sgt Jamilah Posey of the United States Embassy, and Peter Adams representing the German Embassy.
He spoke about Commodore Barry who “contributed so much to his adopted country of America.”
A number of wreaths were laid at the Commodore Barry Memorial; by Minister Brendan Howlin on behalf of the Irish Government; by Sergeant First Class Jamilah Posey on behalf of the Government of the United States; by Philip Dillon on behalf of the descendants of the Barry family; by John Fowler on behalf of the Commodore John Barry branch of the O.N.E. and by Paul Kehoe, T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister for State at the Department of An Taoiseach and Defence.
The national anthems of Ireland, the United States and Germany were played.
Full coverage in THE WEXFORD ECHO Group of Newspapers.
