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2017 National Day of Commemoration Ceremony

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President Michael D. Higgins lays a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland

The annual National Day of Commemoration Ceremony, to honour all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations, will be held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, as well as at six locations across Ireland. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, 9th July, commencing at 10.30 am.

The National Day of Commemoration Ceremony in Dublin will be attended by the President, the Taoiseach, members of the Government; the Council of State; Dáil and Seanad Éireann; Diplomatic Corps; Judiciary and Northern Ireland representatives.

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 the 1916 Leaders, have also been invited.

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The Guard of Honour

The ceremony will be open to the public and persons wishing to attend should arrive at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham before 10:15 a.m.
The ceremony will commence with a multi-faith service of prayer, after which the President will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland. As part of the ceremony military honours (to An Taoiseach and An tUachtarán) will be rendered by a Captains Tri-Service Guard of Honour from Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Commemoration Ceremonies will also be held in the following locations:
CORK Fitzgerald’s Park, Mardyke, Cork at 11am
GALWAY: The Quadrangle, National University of Ireland, University Road at 11am
KILKENNY: Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny at 11am
LIMERICK: Courtyard at City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick City at 11am
SLIGO: Sligo Borough Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo at 2pm
WATERFORD: Bishops Palace, Waterford at 11am
Members of the public wishing to attend these ceremonies should arrive approx 30 minutes before the start of the formal ceremony.