On Sunday, the Lutheran Church in Ireland, together with the German Embassy and the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, commemorated German Remembrance Sunday (Volkstrauertag) in Glencree.

Following a panel discussion with representatives from civil, state and religious institutions, an Ecumenical Prayer for Peace took place at St. Kevin's Church. The service was led by Pastor Florian von Issendorff and Father Bernard Kennedy. The Goethe Choir provided the musical accompaniment. Pupils from the local St. Patrick's National School also took part. In his reflection, the Lutheran pastor said: "And so today we not only commemorate, but also renew our shared commitment to a world that is not stifled by the cynicism of violence and power, but one that knows hope and in which peace is not a utopian dream."

Afterwards, the congregation, led by a piper from the Irish Army and UN veterans, proceeded to the German military cemetery, where the German ambassador held a commemoration of the dead and wreaths were laid. This was followed by a reception at the Armoury Café.

During the service, €490.60 was collected for the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (German War Graves Commission). We are very grateful to all donors for their support of this important work.