The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane, participated in a moving remembrance ceremony along with other councillors to honour the Irish men and women who died in past wars or on peacekeeping missions with the UN.
The Galway City ceremony for the National Day of Commemoration took place at the University of Galway on Sunday, 14 July.
This ceremony marks the 14th time Galway City Council has hosted the remembrance ceremony, along with the Defence Forces and University of Galway.
The Ceremony was attended by members of the Defence Forces, ex-servicemen’s organisations, religious leaders, community representatives, next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service, and members of the community.
The ceremony began with Defence Forces taking up position, and Mayor Peter Keane, other councillors, and representatives of the faith traditions entering in procession.
Ailish Rohan, Senior Executive Officer, Galway City Council, 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 and readings of commemoration were then led by Most Rev Michael Duignan, Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh, Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora, and Bishop of Clonfert; Reverend Helen Freeburn, Minister Presbyterian Church; Sheila Garrity, Humanist Celebrant; and Iman Shakeel Ur Rehman, Galway Islamic Society.
Mayor Keane laid a wreath at a commemorative plaque to honour those who died in past wars or on service at home or abroad.
James Larkin, Director and President of Galway Great War Memorial laid a wreath for the 1,210 Galway men and women who lost their lives. This was followed by a minute’s silence.Â
The national flag was hoisted to full mast by LT Burke accompanied by a roll of drums.
The ceremony concluded with Frank Naughton, Soloist, singing a poignant rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by St Patrick’s Brass Band and conducted by Ken O’Connor.
