The National Day of Commemoration, remembering those who have died in past wars or on service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, was marked at a local ceremony in the University of Galway on Sunday.
The ceremony in the university’s Quadrangle was attended by local representatives, members of the Defence Forces, religious leaders, community representatives, next-of-kin of people being remembered in the ceremony, and a wide cross-section of the community including ex-servicemen’s organisations.
This is the 13th year that Galway City Council has hosted this remembrance ceremony in conjunction with both the Defence Forces and University of Galway.
The ceremony commenced with Lt Col Edward McDonagh taking up position, and the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare, members of Galway City Council, and the officiating representatives of the faith traditions, entering in procession.
The interim chief executive of Galway City Council, Patricia Philbin, opened the ceremony with an invitation to remember all those who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
Multi-faith prayers of commemoration were then led by Monseigneur Peter Rabbitte, Parish Priest, Galway Cathedral; the Reverend Helen Freeburn, Minister, Presbyterian Church; Mr Imam Khalid, Galway Islamic Society; and PJ Connolly, Humanists West, Galway.
Mayor Hoare laid a wreath at a commemorative plaque to honour those who died in past wars or on service at home or abroad. This was followed by a minute’s silence.
The ceremony concluded with Frank Naughton, soloist, accompanied by St Patrick’s Brass Band and conducted by Ken O’Connor, singing the national anthem.
Similar ceremonies took place in Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Limerick on the day.
