Ireland's Great War: Photos of Belfast soldiers marching to battle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31024741

A new two-part BBC television series brings into sharper focus the story of Ireland's role in World War One.

More than 200,000 Irishmen from all parts of the island marched to war, unified in their commitment to fight but deeply divided in their reasons for doing so.


Red Cross wagons pass Belfast City Hall as thousands of people look on



This detail from the photograph above shows how a few brave souls, not fortunate enough to get a balcony seat, went to daring lengths to get a better view


In another detail, the tramlines and horses give a sense of how things have changed in the space of a century. Notice how almost everyone is wearing a hat.

As the war was being fought on the fields of mainland Europe, Ireland was breaking apart.

While it was still a part of the British empire, the country was on the verge of a civil war between nationalists and unionists.

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This photograph of soldiers marching to war was also taken on Chichester Street in Belfast



This close-up view of the photograph reveals how some ladies - and one small boy - gathered to watch the march outside the women's underground lavatory...

When Britain declared war on Germany, many nationalists and unionists found a unified cause and joined up to fight.

While soldiers were doing battle abroad, political turmoil at home continued to brew and the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin was a pivotal point in history.

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This scene is at the top of Royal Avenue, across from where the Belfast Telegraph's offices are now. The International Bar and adjoining buildings have long since been demolished, and the land is now a green space outside the University of Ulster's art college


Across Ireland, about 210,000 men marched off to war. Since there was no conscription, about 140,000 of these joined during the war as volunteers

The story of Ireland and World War One has often been shrouded in myth, but since the peace process in the past 20 years or so, new voices have been shedding light on that history.

The programme brings together three Irish history experts to take a fresh look at the story of Ireland and the Great War: Diarmaid Ferriter of University College Dublin, Richard Grayson from University of London and Timothy Bowman from the University of Kent.

Ireland's Great War begins on BBC One Northern Ireland at 18:00 GMT on Sunday 1 February, and will be available on iPlayer afterwards.

 

I'd forgotten all about those underground loos at Donegall Square North /Chichester Street.

Here's a photo from WW2 era, found courtesy of [member='ww2ni']'s website
http://ww2ni.webs.com/belfastblitzthennow.htm



And some other WW2 photos from the same area around City Hall, Belfast
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/13171-belfast-now-then/?p=146400

 

Thanks both for the comments

Photo top right showing cyclists taking the same route in 1915, taken from this other thread

 

The photos featured in the BBC article are from PRONI
Info page for WW1
http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/exhibitions_talks_and_events/first_world_war.htm

Here's a feature they are updating for each month
http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/first_world_war_journal.htm

 

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-32675752
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Belfast parade for 100 years since WW1 march


The parade passed through Belfast city centre

Thousands of people have turned out for a parade to mark 100 years since soldiers marched through Belfast city centre before leaving for World War One.

Bands led a procession of men and women, many dressed in vintage military uniforms and carrying replica weapons.

The parade was organised by the 36th Ulster Division Memorial Association.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Belfast City Hall.


Men and women in period costume took part in the parade

Ch Supt Nigel Grimshaw said there had been "a large scale police operation with community safety at its core".

"I would like to express my thanks to all of those involved behind the scenes over recent weeks and today to make this possible," he said.

"The efforts made by community representatives and event organisers show a real willingness to achieve resolutions.

"Hopefully this will create a positive platform for dealing with sensitive parades throughout the coming months."


The parade marked 100 years since a massive march through Belfast by WW1 soldiers


This photograph of soldiers marching to war was taken on Chichester Street in Belfast