The National Day of Commemoration – Collins Barracks, Dublin
Photographs by Ken Mooney
The National Day of Commemoration is held on the Sunday closest to the 11th July, the date on which, in 1921, the Anglo-Irish Truce was agreed. The event normally takes place in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, but on two occasions in the past it has on taken place in Collins Barracks, Dublin. It comprises of a multi-faith service of prayer and military ceremony commemorating all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
During the ceremony the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar invited President Michael D. Higgins to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland. Other invited guests include members of the Government, Council of State, elected Representatives, Diplomatic Corps, Judiciary, relatives’ of 1916 participants and a large number of Veterans’ Organisations.
Smaller ceremonies were held around the country.