Armistice Day 2026 Northern Ireland 'honours heroes of past and prepares us for next conflict'

Armistice Day is marked each year in cities and towns across the UK in memory of the agreement to end the fighting of the First World War at 11am on 11 November 1918.

The date is marked with a two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.

By comparison, Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November so the nation can hold larger public ceremonies.

A service took place in the Garden of Remembrance at Belfast City Hall, led by the Royal British Legion and attended by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, along with members of the public.

Public ceremonies were held in locations right across Northern Ireland, including Armagh, Glengormley, Ballyclare, Antrim and at fire stations.

NI Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone laid a wreath at the newly refurbished war memorial in Londonderry, where he laid a special wreath in memory of soldiers who were never recovered or identified.

The commissioner served in the RIR Reserves for 26 years and finished with the rank of major when touring Iraq in 2004.

"There was 16 British soldiers killed during the tour so it's always an extra poignant memory when you're standing at a cenotaph, to remember them,” he told the News Letter.

A plaque was also added to the Londonderry memorial this year in honour of a soldier from the Creggan, James Doherty, who died in the First World War, he said.

The date is also about remembering survivors who have life-changing injuries – and many the families standing in the background at services who will reflect on the death of a loved one, he added.

It is also increasingly important not just to remember the past, but to be conscious that the UK could once again be at war in the near future, he said.

"I think that is very relevant because a nation that, that doesn't remember the past, doesn't remember the sacrifice in the past is arguably not understanding the the potential of a future war. War is horrible. And yet sometimes it is necessary."

An Act of Remembrance was observed at the headquarters of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Schomberg House, in east Belfast.

The annual event included a parade and short religious service led by Grand Chaplain Rev Canon Dr Stanley Gamble, with wreaths laid in the Institution’s memorial garden.

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson also attended the north west event.

"Londonderry should be hugely proud of its history, and particularly the strategic role it played in the Second World War," he said afterwards. "The contribution it played was vital to the Allied victory and it should be something we collectively commemorate and celebrate."

The Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA, led members and staff in a two-minute silence in the Senate Chamber, followed by a procession and the laying of wreaths at the Civil Service War Memorial in the Great Hall.

Alliance deputy leader Eóin Tennyson was one of those who took part. “Today, we paused to remember all those from across our communities who lost their lives in the First World War and in subsequent conflicts,” he said. “It was an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of Alliance in their memory."

As a symbol of remembrance, Parliament Buildings is being lit up in red tonight.