Remembering the fallen across County Armagh

CITIES, towns and villages across County Armagh and indeed the entire UK will pause to remember the fallen on Sunday.

In Armagh the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service starts at 10.30am on November 8, moving off from Dobbin Street along Scotch Street, Market Street, Upper English Street, College Street to The Cenotaph for service and wreath laying.

They will then proceed along The Mall East, Goal Square and The Mall West to First Armagh Presbyterian Church for service there.

The Poppy Shop in the Armagh RBL function room will be open on Friday, 6th November, and Saturday, 7th November, from 9am -5pm.

They will also have a Poppy collection point in Sainsbury's Supermarket from 9am-5pm on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th November.

Poppy collectors will be carrying out street collections around the city on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th November.

A Remembrance concert took place in Armagh on Wednesday, October 28.

The Armagh Royal British Legion will hold a Remembrance Service in its clubrooms at 7:30pm on Saturday, November 7.

On Armistice Day (November 11) The Royal British Legion will host a ceremony starting at 11:00am at the War Memorial in Armagh city.

And later this month they will host a Centenary service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war memorial with a 3:00pm service on Sunday, November 29.

Royal British Legion spokesman David Hammerton was keen to point out, “We remember not only the dead but also the hundreds who bear physical and psychological injuries from their service in past conflicts.

“We honour their courage, acknowledge the sacrifices made, and recognise the enduring impact the campaigns have had on individuals, families and communities.

“The Royal British Legion’s focus on care and remembrance reminds us that service does not end when operations conclude, and neither does our responsibility to those who served.

“We acknowledge with gratitude, remembrance and continued appreciation to all our veterans and the friends and families who supported them.

“It is the families who support the service member when they are deployed, and who have to deal with the effects of physical and psychological injuries long after their service has ended.”

Markethill will hold its annual Remembrance Sunday service in the afternoon, as is traditional.

The procession will move off at 2,50pm and make its way to the Cenotaph around 3pm.

Five bands will take part in the parade, namely Corkley Pipe Band, Mullabrack Accordion, John Hunter Memorial Accordion, 1st Mountnorris and Tullyallen Boys’ Brigade Band and Markethill Pipe Band.

There will be a short wreath laying ceremony and Act of Remembrance, before the procession makes its way to Markethill Presbyterian Church on the Fairgreen Road.

In Loughgall the parade will assemble at the Old Courthouse at 10.45am on Sunday and will get underway at 11am making its way to the War Memorial for an Act of Remembrance service at 11.15am.

Those in attendance will then make their way to St Luke’s Parish Church in the village, where a special memorial service will be held.

Mavemacullen Accordion Band will lead the procession and all welcome to attend.

In Richhill the parade will assemble at the Square moving off at 10.50am along Main Street, around the War Memorial (Anti Clockwise) to Maynooth Road and turn into War Memorial Garden

The Parade will halt at the War Memorial for 20 minutes for a brief service and wreath laying before moving off back up Main Street through the Square onto Tandragee Street to the Methodist Church .

Two bands will lead the parade: Corcrain Melody Flute Band and Ballytyrone Accordian Band.

In Tandragee Sunday’s parade will move off at 11am along Cornmarket Street and Market Street to the War Memorial where there will be a service and wreath laying ceremony.

The parade will be led by Moneyslane Band.

In Killylea, this year’s remembrance ceremony by Cormeen Rising sons of William Flute Band (taking place on Saturday, November 7) will have a particular poignance after the recent passing of local church Rector Rev Bill Atkins.

A band spokesman said, “Next Saturday morning (7th November) Cormeen Rising Sons of William will hold their annual memorial service of Remembrance at the Killylea and District Memorial Stone.

“Whilst always a poignant event, this year it means even more. We [recently] lost the Rev Bill Atkins. The Rev Bill oversaw our memorial service since its beginning; indeed it was he who originally dedicated the Memorial Stone erected by the back in 2018.

“He was more than just a clergyman just parachuted in for one occasion. He was a sincere and genuine friend, who alongside always being eager to be involved with the band, truly believed in the purpose and meaning of Remembrance Day, of the Poppy, and of everything surrounding. This year we will be remembering the Reverend within our short service.

“Everyone is welcome to come along. As always, all of our youth bodies and Loyal Orders have a standing invitation to participate in the procession and if they so wish lay a wreath on behalf of their organisation (please contact the band in advance to help with logistics). While we will miss the Rev Bill, we are very pleased to have the Rev. Derek Kerr of Tynan/ Aghavilly/Middletown to officiate.

“This year following the service we invite everyone back into the hall at the end of the procession for some soup and a roll, as we come together, enjoy the fellowship of family, friends and neighbours, and reflect on the reasons for the occasion.”

Saturday’s parade musters at 11.15am, moving off at 11.30am.