On Sunday 13th July, HAI Operations Manager, Niamh Clowry, attended the National Day of Commemoration ceremony in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin and delivered the Humanist Reflection. The event was also attended by President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, with a wreath laid on behalf of the Irish people by President Higgins.
This ceremony takes place on the Sunday nearest to July 11th, which is the anniversary of the date in 1921 on which a truce was signed, marking the end of the Irish War of Independence. The event honours all Irish men and women who have died in wars or in service of peace. The HAI is honoured to be participant to the commemoration event.
You can watch Niamh deliver the Humanist reflection on the RTÉ player HERE, skip to 1 hour 2 mins to view.
On the same date, Sunday 13th July, HAI celebrant Judith Ashton attended the Annual National Day of Commemoration Regional ceremony in Kilkenny Castle for the second year in a row. Judith delivered the humanist reflection at the ceremony with dignity and grace, representing the diversity of belief and values in Irish society.
The Humanist Reflection
As we gather today to remember and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by countless individuals throughout our history, we also reflect on the courage and resilience that has helped shape our nation.
Humanism teaches us that our greatest strength lies in our shared humanity. It urges us to look beyond the divisions of race, religion, or creed, and to see the common thread that weaves us together: our capacity for empathy, our ability to love, and our desire to create a better world for future generations. As we take a pause to reflect, we also take a moment for gratitude – gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy, recognising that they are the legacies of those who came before us. We acknowledge the diverse paths that have led us to this moment, and we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences that define our nation.
On this National Day of Commemoration, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, equality and justice for all. Let us honour the past by building a future worthy of the sacrifices made, a future where peace and justice are not just ideals but lived realities.