National Day of Commemoration set for July 12
Pictured at last year's National Day of Commemoration event was then Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr Seamus Ryan, laying a wreath. Photo: Joe Evans
This year's National Day of Commemoration event in Waterford will take place on Sunday, July 12.
A spokesperson for Waterford City & County Council said the event will take place at 11am, at the John Condon Memorial in Cathedral Square, Waterford.
The national event commemorates all Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.
It occurs each year on the Sunday nearest July 11, the anniversary of the date in 1921 that a truce was signed ending the Irish War of Independence.
The principal ceremony is normally held at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, in Dublin, but events are also held in locations around the country.
The military and religious ceremonies are held in the presence of the President, the Taoiseach and other members of the Government alongside members of the Oireachtas, the Council of State, the Diplomatic Corps and the Judiciary.
Relatives of 1916 leaders and next-of-kin of those who died on service with the UN are also usually in attendance along with Northern Ireland representatives and a cross-section of the community, including ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen.
Wreaths are laid on the day and at the main event, after the President lays a wreath, the 'Last Post' is played by the Military Band after one minute of silence.
