At Battle of the Somme service, Bishop Colton urges people to champion an outlook that builds bridges, includes rather than excludes, welcomes rather than alienates, and fosters reconciliation, justice and peace.

Aim of Somme centenary pilgrimage is to instil “A sense of the futility of war and the importance of friendship, peace and understanding” - Primate.

Pilgrimage commences with prayers at the Memorial Wall at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin this morning and concludes at the Peace Park in Messines, Belgium.

“A century later and the journey goes on, we are still writing our story, still trying to make real the promise and the dream of 1916" - Bishop Denis Brennan.

“We must commemorate 1916 in a way that respects all past differences and does not glorify violence retrospectively" - Bishop John Buckley.

St Patrick’s Cathedral seminar will explore previously unknown archival sources on soldiers and civilians.