The Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland Secretary have laid wreaths during the Remembrance Sunday commemoration at Enniskillen. Micheál Martin accompanied Sir Chris Bryant at the solemn event, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects in the Co Fermanagh town.
Wreaths Laid at the Cenotaph
Sir Chris laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the UK Government, while Mr Martin placed a laurel wreath at the memorial. The Taoiseach's contribution continued a tradition begun by former taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012, who attended and placed a laurel wreath at the base of the memorial.
The 2012 move was seen as symbolic of greater recognition afforded in the Republic of Ireland to Irishmen who fought and died serving in the British Army in the First World War.
Remembering the 1987 Bombing
Eleven people who had gathered to pay their respects to the war dead were killed and dozens injured in the no-warning blast on November 8 1987, minutes before the Remembrance Sunday ceremony was due to start. A 12th victim of the Poppy Day bombing died 13 years later, having never woken from a coma.
In 2024, then-taoiseach and current Tánaiste Simon Harris did not attend the Enniskillen memorial, citing the absence of a representative from the Northern Ireland Executive for the decision. His Fine Gael party was represented by then-minister Heather Humphreys, who was not seeking re-election in the campaign running at the time.
Further Commemorations Across Ireland
A range of other events to pay tribute to the war dead took place across Northern Ireland on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, Irish President Catherine Connolly is to lay a wreath in remembrance of all those who have died in war at the National Service of Remembrance at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. It will be her first time doing so since taking office at the end of last year. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is also expected to attend the Dublin service.
