Remembrance ceremony held in Galway City

A remembrance ceremony for Irish soldiers who died in past wars or on service with the UN was held on Sunday at the Quadrangle in University of Galway.

This is the 13th year that Galway City Council has hosted the ceremony in conjunction with both the Defence Forces and University of Galway.  

The event was attended by local representatives, members of the Defence Forces, religious leaders, community representatives, 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. 

The ceremony commenced with the 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, Ms 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, which was followed by a minute’s silence.  

The ceremony concluded with Mr Frank Naughton, Soloist, accompanied by St. Patrick’s Brass Band, and conducted by Mr Ken O’Connor, singing the Amhrán na bhFiann.

Similar ceremonies took place nationwide in Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford and Limerick.