On November 9, 2025, cities, towns, and villages across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland paused to mark Remembrance Sunday, commemorating the 107th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The ceremonies this year carried particular weight, honoring not only those lost in global conflicts but also reflecting on the journey toward reconciliation in a region long marked by division and pain.
In Belfast, the heart of Northern Ireland, hundreds gathered in the Garden of Remembrance at City Hall and on the surrounding streets. The crisp autumn air was filled with solemnity as the ceremony began with a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT, a tradition that unites generations in collective memory. The silence was broken only by the sound of wreaths being gently placed at the cenotaph, each one a tribute to lives lost in war and conflict.
Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, attended the event and laid a laurel wreath at the cenotaph for the second consecutive year. This act was more than ceremonial; it was deeply symbolic. Last year, O’Neill became the first senior Sinn Féin figure to participate in an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Northern Ireland, a gesture that many saw as a significant step toward bridging old divides. Her wreath bore a card with a message of unity: “Today, as First Minister, I remember all lives lost in the horror of war and conflict. Through understanding and respect for our differences, we can build a stronger, more compassionate, and united society.” According to BBC News NI, O’Neill reinforced this message on social media, stating, “I have made a commitment to be a first minister for all and I am fully committed to delivering on that promise.”
O’Neill was joined by Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Ireland’s Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, who also laid wreaths at Belfast City Hall. Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, dressed in official robes and wearing her gold chain of office, laid a wreath on behalf of the city’s citizens. The ceremony was attended by members of the Royal British Legion, clerics, politicians, and members of the public, all united in remembrance.
Among the crowd were people like Natasha Graham, who attended with her family to honor relatives who died in both World Wars. “We have a long line of history in our family of people who died in the World War One and World War Two and we’re here to remember them today,” she told BBC News NI. Carol Walker from Belfast remembered her great-grandfather, who died just two weeks before the end of World War One in October 1918. “For me, thankfully he was married and had a wife and five children, all under the age of ten. One of them was my grandfather, or I wouldn’t be standing here today to tell this story,” Walker shared, her words echoing the personal connections that draw so many to these annual ceremonies.
Remembrance events were not confined to Belfast. In Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn attended a ceremony at the town’s war memorial. This site holds particular significance: it was the scene of a devastating IRA bomb attack in 1987 that killed 12 people during a Remembrance event. Martin’s attendance continued a tradition started in 2012, when then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny became the first Irish premier to attend the Enniskillen service. Martin’s wreath read, “in remembrance on behalf of the Irish Government.” Speaking after the ceremony, Martin emphasized the importance of his presence: “Enniskillen always has a particular part in our memories in terms of the shocking killings that occurred, but also then, out of that, that sense and that thrust for peace and for reconciliation and for building bonds and understanding. And that, to me, is why I’m here today, to remember that.”
The presence of the Taoiseach at Enniskillen is now seen as symbolic of the Republic of Ireland’s growing recognition of Irishmen who fought and died serving in the British Army during the First World War. Last year, then-Taoiseach Simon Harris did not attend, citing advice from his senior officials and the absence of Northern Ireland Executive representatives. This year, the tradition was firmly resumed, with Martin joined by Northern Ireland Civil Service head Jayne Brady and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. The service also marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, underscoring the breadth of remembrance.
Remembrance Sunday was observed beyond the island of Ireland as well. DUP leader Gavin Robinson attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, where King Charles III led a two-minute silence and laid a wreath, joined by senior royals and political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch. The London ceremony, like those in Belfast and Enniskillen, drew people of all backgrounds—military, political, and civilian—into a moment of shared reflection.
Other commemorative events took place throughout the week. On November 6, Justice Minister Naomi Long attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service’s annual memorial service at Hydebank Wood’s Memorial Garden, honoring officers who lost their lives in the course of duty. These acts of remembrance, whether at grand public ceremonies or quieter gatherings, all contributed to a tapestry of memory and respect.
In Dublin, outgoing Irish President Michael D Higgins marked his penultimate day in office by laying a wreath at St Patrick’s Cathedral. At an evensong service, the cathedral’s dean, the Very Reverend William Morton, expressed gratitude for Higgins’ support during his presidency: “President Higgins, as you reach the very end of your presidential office, we in St Patrick’s Cathedral say thank you for your generous support, friendship and encouragement, and we wish you God’s gracious blessing in the years ahead.”
Remembrance Sunday in 2025 was thus a day of solemnity, reflection, and cautious hope. Across the island, old wounds were acknowledged, but so too were efforts to build a more inclusive and compassionate future. From Belfast to Enniskillen to Dublin, the message was clear: remembrance is not just about looking back, but about forging bonds across communities and generations, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform a more peaceful tomorrow.
