As part of the centenary commemoration of the start of the Gallipoli campaign – one of the most costly in terms of Irish lives in WW1 – the Hay/Kells Festival and RTE Radio 1’s History Show, co-sponsors of the event, invite the public to consult some of the country’s best-known military historians about aspects of the Great War that interest them.

Available for consultation in St.Columba’s Church of Ireland church on the afternoon of Saturday 25 April will be military genealogist Gordon Power. Gordon can guide you in your search for information on a family member who took part in the war and also has a vast fund of knowledge on WW1 artefacts, such as medals and uniforms.

On Sunday, at the same venue, from 2-6 pm will be military historian Tom Burnell who has written a series of works on the WW1 war dead of a number of different counties. You will have access to Tom’s detailed database if you want to trace an Irish ancestor who died in the conflict.

In addition military archaeologist / historian Damien Shiels will take members of the public on a World War 1 tour of the town of Kells, stopping off at places associated with the conflict. The tour is open to all comers and will begin from the gates of St.Columba’s church at noon on Sunday 26 April.

All the above events are be free of charge.

The weekend will also include the inaugural Francis Ledwidge Memorial Lecture to be given by Philip Orr on Friday 24 April, an examination of the role of journalism and poetry in the war in a day of lectures entitled The first draft of history? Journalism and poetry in the Great War, and a day of talks on Ireland and Gallipoli on Sunday 26 April and a concert of WW1 music and anti-WW1 songs from Declan O’Rourke at 8.00 on Saturdat 25 April.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT THE RTE RADIO 1 HISTORY SHOW WEBSITE – http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/

For tickets to other Gallipoli100 events call 046-9240055