Visit to Restored Birthplace of WW1 Soldier Luke Delaney

The event is to commemorate Rifleman Luke Delaney, 8122, A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action in Belgium on 8 November 1914, aged 27, at the start of the First World War. He is remembered with honour through the inscription of his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, where the Last Post is sounded every evening at 8.00 pm in tribute to the fallen soldiers of the First World War who have no known grave.

In 2019, the committee undertook the restoration and refurbishment of the birthplace of First World War veteran Luke Delaney, returning it to its original state while preserving its historical character and architectural style. Original features were meticulously retained throughout the renovation process, and the interior was fitted out with furniture and utilities typical of the period 1914–1918.

A major feature of the house is a series of mannequins depicting the residents on the day Luke Delaney departed for the battlefields of the Western Front. We believe it is the only restored homestead of a war veteran in County Cavan.

Following research using the 1901 and 1911 Census records, Ordnance Survey Ireland, local birth registers, and information from the Somme Heritage Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, we have been able to piece together the story of Luke Delaney, who was born on 21 May 1887, and trace his journey to the Great War.

The committee would like to acknowledge the support of Cavan LEADER, Cavan County Council, and the Cavan LCDC PEACE IV Partnership.

Guest historian speaker at 6pm.