Can we learn from their shared sacrifice, a full century after the so-called “war to end all wars’? asks Archbishop Eamon Martin in an interfaith service in Belfast.

“The pilgrimage will be a witness to hope and will enable us to forge even greater friendships and work yet harder for peace together in the future.”

“I think John McCrea would be horrified to think that this symbol could become a symbol of division, or national identity, or even a fashion statement. It is quite simply a symbol of memorial, of the grim reality of the terrible loss of life.”

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Eamon Martin has said that Ireland’s history of conflict meant many Catholics killed in the First World War were not “adequately” remembered.

Over one hundred senior academics and management from the Indiana-based college travelled to Connemara to take part in the ceremony.

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