Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying – 12 July 2025
The Royal British Legion was established in Ireland in 1925 in the aftermath of the First World War and the Irish Civil War, to support the many Irish individuals and families affected by the profound human cost of conflict.
In 2025, commemorating the centenary of the Royal British Legion in Ireland, the Royal British Legion reflects on a “proud legacy of unwavering service to Ireland’s veterans and their families, and on the profound evolution of remembrance in a society where the memory of war is deeply intertwined with the journey toward national self-determination”.
The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland District, supported by the Irish Government, hosted its Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin, on Saturday 12 July 2025, with the cooperation and assistance of the Office of Public Works and the Irish National War Memorial Trust.
Designed by internationally renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens are dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who died in both the First World War and in the Second World War.
The Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying commemorates all those who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, and in the two World Wars; especially the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women who served and died in those conflicts.
Representation from all parts and traditions of the island of Ireland is a key feature of the ecumenical ceremony.
For the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying, the eight volume Irish National War Memorial Records, normally located in the South-East Bookroom, were laid on the War Stone by students of St Andrews College Dublin and Campbell College Belfast, escorted by the standards of the Claddagh and Colraine Royal British Branches, and Pipers from the Defence Forces and the Royal Irish Regiment.
During the turbulent years of the War of Independence (1919–1921), and the Civil War (1922–1923), the War Memorial Committee, (now titled The Irish National War Memorial Trust) as an interim project for the War Memorial, focused their endeavors on the compilation, design, and production of a set of books titled Ireland’s Memorial Records (sometimes referred to as the Books of Remembrance).
The Irish Memorial Records with illustrations by Henry Clarke, were completed in 1923. Consisting of eight volumes and 3,200 pages, the names of 49,435 Irish soldiers are recorded in Ireland’s Memorial Records, each entry stating the Name, Rank, Unit, Age, Where Born and Location of Death of the individual.
The Ceremony’s Presiding Officers were: Vice Admiral (Retd) Paul Bennett CB OBE, National President Royal British Legion; Lieutenant-Colonel Ken Martin (Retd), President Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District); Mr Paul Stephenson, Chairman, Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland); and Mr Steven Lee, Chairman, Poppy Ireland & National Trustee, Royal British Legion.
Reverend Peter Rutherford, Chaplain to the Royal British Legion, (Republic of Ireland District) and formally Assistant Chaplain General HM Forces, and Reverend Fr Paschal Hanrahan Chaplain to the Defence Forces, were the Officiating Clergy.
The Parade Marshal was Mr Ciaran Crone.
The flags of the three Irish divisions which fought in the Battle of the Somme: the 10th (Irish), the 16th (Irish) and the 36th (Ulster) were flown at the Great Cross. The Irish Flag, the Flag of the United Kingdom, and the National and District Standards of the Royal British Legion were on parade. During the ceremony, the Royal British Legion Branches from Ireland, and Branches from Northern Ireland, paraded their Standards.
Mr Paul Stephenson, District Chairman of The Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District), gave the Welcoming Address.
Thereafter, the Replica Ginchy Cross was dedicated by Reverend Peter Rutherford and Reverend Fr Paschal Hanrahan, with Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), Chairperson of the Irish National War Memorial Trust in attendance.
Heavenly Father, bless this replica of the Cross of Ginchy in memory of all those from this land who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914/1918. May your Holy Spirit inspire us as to follow their example of courage and sacrifice, that we may follow in the steps of your Son, Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.
Mairfich a n-anam go bráth na breithe.
Their name livith for evermore.
The Ginchy Cross is a symbolic artefact of significant historical all-island military heritage and remembrance. For many residing on the island of Ireland and elsewhere, it is a precious and unique relic from the First World War.
The Replica Ginchy Cross. Source: Irish National War Memorial Trust
The Irish National War Memorial Trust has successfully completed a project resulting in the production of an exact replica of the Ginchy Cross from French oak provided by the Somme Association. The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG made a significant contribution to the Ginchy Cross Project.
Link to insert in the Order of Service: INWMT’s Insert – RBL Remembrance Ceremony – 12 Jul 25 – Ginchy Cross
After the Ceremony, Mr Sven Habermann, on behalf of the Irish National War Memorial Trust, installed the Replica Ginchy Cross in the North-East Bookroom of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens. The Trust will now transfer the original Ginchy Cross for permanent display within the National Museum of Ireland’s Soldiers’ and Chiefs’ Exhibition, in Collins Barracks, Dublin. Thus, the original Ginchy Cross will be protected and preserved for future generations.
The Historian Dr Nikki Carter, St Andrew’s College Dublin, delivered the Somme Address. Link to Somme Address: Dr Nikki Carter’s Somme Address (12 Jul 25)
The lesson was read by Vice Admiral (Retd) Paul Bennett CB OBE, National President, The Royal British Legion.
The Ceremony was held in the presence of government and civic leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland, members of the Oireachtas, the Diplomatic Corps, the Judiciary, representatives of the Defence Forces, Royal British Legion Branches, Regimental Associations and Veterans Associations, and a considerable number of relatives of those who served in World War 1 and the Second World War.
The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG was represented by its Chairman Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd). Directors and members of the Trust in attendance included: Ms Maeve Cadden, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) Harvey Bicker, Brigadier (Retd) John Graham, Mr Philip Hamell, Lieutenant-Colonel Eamonn Fogarty (Retd), Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) Ken Martin, Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), Reverend Peter Rutherford and Brigadier-General James Saunderson.
Under the direction of Mr Paul Stephenson, District Chairman, the Lords Mayor, Ministers, Ambassadors, Defence Forces, An Garda Siochána, the Judiciary, Royal British Legion, Regimental and Veterans Associations, and relatives laid wreaths at the War Stone.
They included,
- The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam; Representing the Lord Mayor of Belfast, The High Sheriff of Belfast, Fiona McAteer; Minister James Lawless T.D., representing An Taoiseach and the Government of Ireland; Minister Aisling Reilly, representing the First Minister, Northern Ireland Executive; Minister Pam Cameron, representing the Deputy First Minister, Northern Ireland Executive; Brigadier-General Stephan Ryan, representing the Defence Forces; Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Giles RM, representing SNONI Naval Regional Command Scotland & NI; Commissioner Drew Harris OBE KPM, An Garda Síochána;
- Ambassadors and representatives of: The British Embassy; Australian Embassy. Embassy of Canada; Embassy of the United States of America; Embassy of France; Embassy of Belgium; The Royal Danish Embassy; Embassy of The Czech Republic; Embassy of Ukraine; Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus; Embassy of the Republic of Poland; Embassy of Malta. Embassy of Greece, Embassy of Georgia; Embassy of India; Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania; and Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye.
- The Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Fergal Dennehy, Councillor Niamh O’Donovan representing the Mayor of Waterford Councillor;
- H.M.’s Lord Lieutenant for The County of Antrim, David McCorkell KStJ; H.M.’s Lord Lieutenant for The County of Fermanagh, Rt Hon the Viscount Brookeborough KG, KSU; Canon Kevin Graham MBE DL, representing H.M.’s Lord Lieutenant for The County Borough of Belfast; H.M.’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant for The County of Tyrone; Graham Dodds, Esq, MBE BCAc DL;
- Mr Iain Quick Representative Office of The Welsh Government in Dublin; Mr Danny Kinahan Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland;
- Mr Seán Guerin SC, Chair of the Bar of Ireland; Madame Justice Denise McBride, DBE, Treasurer of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland; Judge John A Campbell representing the President of the Law Society of Ireland;
- National President of The Royal British Legion, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Paul Bennett CB OBE; District President The Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland Lt Col (Retd) Ken Martin; Chairperson, Irish National War Memorial Trust, Brig Gen Paul Pakenham (Retd); Director, The Somme Association (Ulster Tower), Ms Carol Walker MBE;
- Wreaths were also laid by Service Charities in Ireland; Branches of The Royal British Legion; UK Armed Service Veterans Associations; Defence Forces Veteran Associations; Leopardstown Park Veterans Support Group; Combined Irish Regiments Association; Historical Associations of the Disbanded Irish Regiments; Civil Associations; and Schools.
Music, including the Last Post, the Rouse, and the National Anthem, was provided by the Army Number 1 Band under the direction of Captain Thomas Kelly, the Band of the 2 Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment under its Bandmaster WO1 Richard Douglas MBE VRSM and Pipers: Corporal Enda McGrath of the Defence Forces; and Lance Corporal Angus McIlry of the Royal Irish Regiment.
Vocalists from The Brook Singers led by Duncan Brickenden, accompanied by the combined military bands, led in the signing of “Be Though My Vision”, “It’s a Long War to Tipperary”, “Oft, in the Stilly Night”, and “Eternal Father Strong to Serve”.
The Exhortation and The Dedication were delivered by Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) Ken Martin, District President, The Royal British Legion.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today”
(Kohima)
Link to photographs of Ceremony: https://flickr.com/photos/mhit/albums/72177720327536911/with/54655091166
Link to RTÉ Report by Gavin O’Callaghan: https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2025/0712/1523184-dublin-ceremony/
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served by the Defence Forces in the vicinity of the Temple.
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