Tricolour to fly with Union Jack at Cenotaph

The Londonderry man responsible for setting up the International School for Peace Studies in Belgium, Glen Barr said that, while the Irish tricolour did not exist when World War I was fought, it would be carried on behalf of nationalists who fought in the battlefields because it represents "the flag they would have regarded as their national flag".

For years, during events in Messines - where the ISPS is based - the Irish flag has flown alongside the Union flag and the banners of other nations which fought in the First World War. The Battle of Messines is central to the ethos of the International School for Peace Studies, because nationalists of the 16th Irish Division and unionists of the 36th Ulster Division fought side by side.

But in an invitational letter, Mr Barr says: "I have often said that it is all very fine parading and socialising in Belgium and France but it is on the streets of the towns and cities of this island that we must display our appreciation for those who fought and died together in foreign battlefields and through their sacrifice learn to co-exist on this island.

"To this end, in 2009 ISPS organized a commemoration parade on June 7 in Londonderry/ Derry. Indeed, Londonderry/ Derry will remain a host of the event for 2010 over the weekend of June 4-6. The Burgomester, Chief Executive and four representatives from Messines have accepted an invitation to attend the weekend of events which will include a programme on the Friday evening when we will stage the play, 'We Were Brothers', especially written about the Battle of Messines.

"On Sunday, June 6 there will be a short parade from London Street (off Bishop Street) to the Cenotaph at the Diamond where young people from several of our local schools will perform various pieces in memory of The Fallen.

"As is our custom in Messines an official Colour Party of the flags representing those nationalities that were engaged in the preparation and battle of Mesen/ Messines will be carried at the Cenotaph. The flags are the Australian, Belgium, Canadian, German, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom.

"Whilst historians will argue that there was no Irish tricolour at the time of the battle we at the ISPS believe that it is in the spirit of brotherhood and recognition of Irish nationalists who died alongside their colleagues of the 36th Ulster Division that the flag they would have regarded as their national flag should be carried in their memory."

Invitations have been extended to MPs, MLAs, TDs, political parties, councils, military associations, international representatives, and the public.

"It is oped that as many as possible will help us remember those who fought and died in Flanders so that their souls which have haunted those foreign battlefields for the past 90 years can rest in peace," writes Mr Barr.