Ireland marks National Day of Commemoration

Dublin, July 10 (IANS) Ireland on Sunday marked the annual National Day of Commemoration to honour all Irish people who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.

The ceremonies were held at Dublin's Royal Hospital Kilmainham and six other locations across the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

At Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the principal ceremony was attended by Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and other government members.

The next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service and a wide cross-section of the community including ex-servicemen's organisations, as well as relatives of leaders of the 1916 Rising, were also invited.

The principal ceremony commenced with a multi-faith service of prayer, after which President Higgins laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish people. As part of the ceremony, full military honours were rendered by the Tri-Service Guard of Honour.

Over 3,000 people attended the principal ceremony in Dublin, which was also open to the public. At the conclusion of the ceremony, there was an Air Corps flyover.

In Ireland, the National Day of Commemoration commemorates all Irish people who died in past wars or UN peacekeeping missions. It occurs on the Sunday nearest July 11, the anniversary of the date in 1921 that a truce was signed ending the Irish war of independence.

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