National Day of Commemoration Ceremony – Sunday, 12 July 2026

National Day of Commemoration Ceremony - Sunday, 12 July 2026

• From: Department of the Taoiseach

• Published on: 7 July 2026
• Last updated on: 7 July 2026

The annual National Day of Commemoration Ceremony, to honour all Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with the United Nations and other international organisations in the service of peace will be held in Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Dublin, D08 FW31 on Sunday, 12 July at 10.30am.

The event is open to members of the public, but a ticket will be required to gain entry.

Please email [email protected] to request a ticket.

Please note the ceremony will be broadcast live on RTÉ 1.

The President, the Taoiseach, members of the Government, the Council of State, Dáil and Seanad Éireann, Diplomatic Corps, Judiciary and Northern Ireland representatives will attend the Commemoration. The Army No 1 Band will accompany the ceremony.

Representatives of the next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service, other international organisations in the service of peace, ex-servicemen's organisations, as well as relatives of the 1916 Leaders, have also been invited.

The ceremony includes a service by Faith, Belief, Non-Confessional and other Communities, followed by a wreath laying by the President on behalf of the people of Ireland. The ceremony will conclude with an Air Corps flypast.

Local Commemoration ceremonies will also be held in the following locations on Sunday, 12 July:

CORK: Fitzgerald's Park, at 11am (open to the public)

GALWAY: University of Galway at 11am (open to the public)

KILKENNY: Kilkenny Castle, at 11am (open to the public)

LIMERICK: Council Headquarters, Merchants Quay, at 11am (open to the public)

SLIGO: City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo at 1.30pm (open to the public)

WATERFORD: John Condon Memorial, Cathedral Square at 11am (open to the public)

Members of the public wishing to attend these local ceremonies should arrive approximately 30 minutes before the start of the formal ceremony.

An Garda Síochána will be operating a Traffic Management Plan in the vicinity of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham prior to and for the duration of the ceremony. Members of the public travelling to the ceremony are advised to utilise public transport as much as possible.

ENDS