A NEW online archive launched earlier today lists the 49,000 Irish soldiers who died during the First World War or as a result of wounds sustained during battle.
‘Ireland’s Memorial Records’ was unveiled today at Google’s headquarters in Dublin by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore together with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MLA.
The archive was compiled by Google, the In Flanders Fields Museum in Belgium and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Relatives of those who died in the war were also present at the launch.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said: “I’m delighted to launch this important archive in the company of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
“While the digitisation and online access to this record will be a rich resource for genealogy, most significant is its value in facilitating the simple and important act of remembering the individuals, Irish men and women, who lost their lives in the First World War.”
The launch took place at Google's headquarters in DublinMr Robinson commended Google and the In Flanders Fields Museum in Belgium for “this valuable piece of work,” whilst Mr McGuinness said, “It is important all their personal stories are told and this innovative project ensures the memory of those Irish soldiers killed will continue.”
Corrections have been made to the records that were first published in 1923 listing the soldiers who had died during the war, and the updated information is now available online.
The records can be searched by name, place of birth, rank, regiment, service number, date of death and place of burial / commemoration where that information is known.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Belgium, Eamonn MacAodha worked alongside Google and In Flanders Fields Museum to complete the project.
John Herlihy, head of Google in Ireland said; “Google is delighted to have worked with In Flanders Fields Museum on this significant project. This is a great example of technology as a force for good, making information accessible and easily available.”
Ireland’s memorial records can be found at: imr.inflandersfields.be/search.html
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