Dear members and friends,

Today, we commemorate 200 years since the battle of Waterloo on the 18th of June 1815.

As I watch the ceremony at the battle field of Waterloo on television today I am reminded of the enormity of what was at stake in terms of the power structure of Europe at the time.

It is interesting to note the accounts of the commentators, many of whom remind us that Waterloo was a very close battle and could very easily have gone either way. Indeed, Napoleon had the battle won until the Prussian army turned up at the last moment.

As the commentators and historians ponder over the various “what ifs” of the time, I think it important that we remember all of those who lost their lives at Waterloo especially the thousands of Irish soldiers who fought with both the Allied and French forces.

We solute you all and remember you with pride.

Derek Byrne,

President,

Napoleon Society of Ireland.