President Higgins: National Day of Commemoration

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins laid a wreath at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Sunday as part of the National Day of Commemoration.

Ceremonies took place across the country on Sunday in honor of Irish men and women who died in wars or service with the United Nations or other international organizations.

Higgins, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, and other members of the Irish Government attended an interfaith ceremony at Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Sunday as part of the commemorations.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and former President Mary McAleese also attended the event.

The main ceremony returned to Dublin this year after taking place in Cork last year.

Sunday's event featured a wreath-laying by President Higgins in addition to a fly-past by the Irish Air Corps.

Relatives of those who died in past wars or in UN service attended Sunday's event in addition to relatives of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Defence Forces, veterans' organizations, and the judiciary also attended the event in Dublin alongside representatives from Northern Ireland.

Ceremonies also took place at six other locations around the country as part of the commemorations, including Fitzgerald's Park in Cork City, the University of Galway, Kilkenny Castle, Sligo Town Hall, on the grounds of Limerick City and County Council, and the John Condon Memorial in Waterford City.

President Higgins today laid a wreath in honour of all Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with the United Nations and other international organisations in the service of peace as part of the National Day of Commemoration ceremony at @rhkopw pic.twitter.com/n0mzrqo4uO
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 14, 2024