Local Red Cross volunteers in Louth this week will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross Red Crescent movement on May 8, World Red Cross Red Crescent Day. Founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant, the organisation is the world’s largest humanitarian network, made up of millions of volunteers and professionals who continue working to this day with those most vulnerable around the world.
The Irish Red Cross was born in the midst of World War II on July 1, 1939. From the rescue efforts following the German bombing on North Strand, Dublin 1941 to the establishment of the ‘Irish Hospital’ in the devastated Normandy town of St. Ló 1945, in which novelist and Nobel Peace prize winner Samuel Beckett was a notable volunteer, the Irish Red Cross has been a pioneer of emergency response both at home in Ireland and around the world for over eighty years. Red Cross activities are continued in Louth today with local branches in Carlingford/Omeath, Drogheda, Dundalk and Inniskeen providing emergency response, first aid training and community services in their local areas.
“All of our volunteers in Louth are delighted to celebrate the 150th Birthday of the Red Cross and are committed to providing another 150 years of voluntary service to our local communities” says Irish Red Cross Secretary General, Donal Forde.