A group of Irish second World War veterans have been awarded grants to allow them to return to the countries where they served, to remember fallen comrades.
Included in the group is 90-year-old Hilda Smith from Naas, Co Kildare, who was awarded the Burma Star in 1944 after serving in the Army Nursing Service in Northern India.
Yesterday, the grants were announced as over 100 ex-servicemen and women from all over the State gathered in Dublin for a lunch organised by the Royal British Legion to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE day. The 13 veterans who received the total of €21,124 in grants are from Dublin and Counties Cork, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Kildare and Waterford.
The funds come from the UK Big Lottery Fund under its Heroes Return scheme.
Pam Alexander of the Royal British Legion said many of those attending the lunch had served in the British armed forces during the second World War and many were members of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Families Association (SSAFA).
She said: "We are grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for extending the programme to the Republic and many of our veterans have taken the opportunity to go on the trips. The British national lottery has never given money abroad before."
The scheme was extended to Ireland this year to mark the anniversary and so far 33 veterans have received the funding.
Among the new group, Ms Smith will return to Northern India in October. She served between 1942 and 1946. She has been awarded €3,150 for the 10-day trip that includes funding for her daughter as her carer.
"This is my first visit back and I've got very vivid memories of my time there. It was tough, very tough, and I'm going back to visit the graves of friends and colleagues who I served with," she said.
Patrick Connolly (81) from Boyle, Co Roscommon, who was in the Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers, is currently in Italy where he served. He is visiting the grave of his brother Richard who was killed in action. This is the first time he has returned.
Some of the group have already taken the trip. Patrick O'Sullivan (81) from Blackrock, Co Dublin went back to Bombay and Delhi in India where he worked in ground crew maintenance and as a courier. He visited war memorials and the graves of comrades.