Finance Minister Announces Additional £40,000 for Somme Association

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has approved £40,000 of funding for the Somme Association.

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has approved £40,000 of funding for the Somme Association.

The Department of Finance already provides annual funding to the Somme Association to help meet maintenance costs associated with the Ulster Memorial Tower near Thiepval in France. The additional £40,000 will fund an event to commemorate 100 years since the dedication of the Ulster Memorial Tower.

Announcing the funding, Minister Murphy said: “The terrible loss of life at the Somme continues to be felt by many families in Ireland.  The Somme Association plays a key role in educating visitors about the Somme and I hope this additional funding will help the Association mark this milestone in an inclusive way.”

Welcoming the additional funding, Director of The Somme Association, Carol Walker MBE added: “The Somme Association appreciates the Minister’s additional funding as it will assist the Association to commemorate an important historical anniversary in a fitting manner.

“The Ulster Memorial Tower was built to represent the nine counties of Ulster and to commemorate a military engagement in which most families, throughout the island of Ireland, had a relative serving and which unfortunately was to cost many thousands of lives.

“The Somme Association’s aim is to assist in bringing the people of the island of Ireland to a mutual understanding through the commemoration and interpretation of the experiences of the men and women who lived, served, fought and died in the First World War. The Somme Association thank the Finance Minister for his continued support.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department of Finance provides £47,000 annually to the Somme Association towards wage costs and funds maintenance costs for the Memorial.

2. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance Press Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk.

3. Follow us on Twitter @dptfinance

4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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