To compliment all of the ongoing work the story of Messines and its historical value towards the work of reconciliation will be told in a new play, “Flowers of the Forest”, about the 16th Irish and 36th Ulster Divisions and the Battle of Messines.

Written by the late Sam Starrett, Tracey McRory and Richard Laird it will involve young people from both traditions in Northern Ireland, and from North and South, and will see on stage the poignant moment when Private John Meeke from the 36th Ulster Division carried the fatally wounded Major Willie Redmond of the 16th Irish Division off the battlefield.