The National Day of Commemoration commemorates all Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. It occurs on the Sunday nearest to 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, Dublin The military and religious ceremonies are held in the presence of the President, the Taoiseach and other members of the Government of Ireland, members of the Oireachtas, the Council of State, the Diplomatic Corps, the Judiciary, relatives of 1916 leaders, next-of-kin of those who died on service with the UN, Northern Ireland representatives and a wide cross-section of the community, including ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen.

A wreath was laid by President Michael D. Higgins in honour of all Irish men and women who died on peacekeeping missions and on service abroad.

A photo album courtesy of the Defence Forces is available here