The Blue Plaque Trail: John Condon 'Boy Soldier'

It is estimated that in excess of 400,000 Irishmen fought in the Great War. This figure includes those already serving in the regular British army in 1914 and those who volunteered for service in the new Irish Divisions formed following the outbreak of the war, the 10th, 10th and 36th, as well as Irishmen serving in the armed forces of other Commonwealth nations. Roughly 4,800 men from Waterford city and county served during the war and over 700 were killed.

Among those was John Condon, the 'Boy Soldier' of the Royal Irish Regiment who was killed in action on the 24 May 1915. From Wheelbarrow Lane, off Wellington Street, John Condon was only 14 years old when he was mortally wounded and was the youngest soldier to die in the war. Condon's grave in Flanders is one of the most visited of all the war graves and is regarded by many as a fitting symbol for the futility of war.

Waterford Civic Trust has installed numerous Blue Plaques in the city to commemorate a link between a particular location and a famous person or event.