The Ulster Tower, located in Thiepval, France, is Northern Ireland's National War Memorial. It was one of the first memorials to be erected on the Western Front and commemorates the men of the 36th Division and all those from Ulster who served in the First World War.
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One of THE must see attractions on the Western Front.
Our group of four only heard about the Ulster tower after it was mentioned to us by people on our tour at the nearby Newfoundlanders Memorial. We were told it was not to be missed and so we went down. What a treat.
The tower is a stones throw from the infamous Thiepval Memorial which many pilgrims to these sites will be visiting anyway.
The tower itself is a memorial to the 3 Irish divisions that fought at the Somme and was built in 1921. Pictures of the grand opening are available at the site.
The hidden gem about this location though, is the tour, led for us by our truly brilliant tour guide Rocky. Rocky and his wife Jo. They are both volunteers who stay at the site and maintain it. They are both lovely and very welcoming hosts.
The tour takes place rain or shine, every day at 11am and 3pm and lasts around 2 hours. This might see a lot but it is well worth it.
From the commanding view afforded from the tower's location Rocky was able to pinpoint where the battle lines were drawn between the British and the Germans as they were on July 1st 1916 - the first day of the battle of the Somme. With this wider context in place, we then learnt about the Irish position and what their situation on the ground was like both before and during the initial assault.
Rocky then took us into a private wood that is owned by the charitable Somme Association. In this wood lie the remains of the front line trenches of the Irish divisions that Rocky and a team of volunteers have painstakingly restored to full working order complete with authentic sandbanks, corrugated iron, chicken wire and duckboards. They are the most authentic examples of a living trench that you will find anywhere and are truly a must see.
The trenches take an incredible amount of maintenance and volunteers come out every summer to restore these areas to prevent them succumbing to decay and the reclaim of nature.
From here Rocky was able to tell us, from articles that were found on site, the stories of the men who stood and fought on these exact trenches and their experiences. It was truly awe inspiring.
The other thing to note is that the tour is entirely donation based. Pay what you like, but Rocky and the Somme Association are worth their weight in gold for what they have built and maintained here and this is a site that should be protected and cherished for future generations. It truly is one of a kind.
PS - for Rocky, Rob is still working out designs for the log, will start work in 12 months once the wood...
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We had the most incredible and unforgettable experience at the Ulster Tower, all thanks to our wonderful guide, Austin! From the moment we arrived, Austin made us feel so welcomed, and his passion for the history of the site was truly inspiring. He gave my partner and myself a tour of the grounds and the nearby Thiepval Woods, where we were able to see the trenches. Austin’s knowledge of the area and the history surrounding the Battle of the Somme was simply astounding. He brought every detail to life with fascinating stories and in-depth information that really deepened our appreciation for what the soldiers went through.
Walking through the woods and trenches with such a knowledgeable guide made it feel like we were stepping back in time. Austin's ability to paint a vivid picture of the past was unparalleled. It was an incredibly moving experience, one we will never forget. We left with a profound sense of connection to the history of the area and immense gratitude for the sacrifices made.
We can’t recommend the Ulster Tower and Austin’s tour enough! It was a highlight of our trip, and we’re so thankful for such a personal and impactful experience. If you’re visiting the Somme, this is an absolute must! But do bring a copy of The Guardian newspaper with you for Austin...
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Absolutely essential place to visit. Definitely do the guided tour. The tour talks you through the unbelievable hardship and bravery these warriors went through. Giving you the detail of the objectives and the places the soldiers were positioned before and during the attack. Thiepval woods has so much evidence of the trenches and the conditions they dealt with. The cemetery is a sobering reality of the sacrifice and youth. The guided tour is essential and it is free. However, they do ask for donations for the work that is carried out constantly to preserve this important place. Give generously please. So much was sacrificed by so many. They will never be forgotten. They also have a good food area to eat and drink. WC available there too. Go and see this beautiful tower and hear about the heroes of this little piece of land that will...
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