Commemoration for Irish Nationals and Irish-Canadians in the Military

Saturday, July 11, 2026
10:30 a.m.
Section 17 – Beechwood Cemetery (Intersection between section 17, 19 and A)
Are Welcome

Join Beechwood Cemetery, for the inaugural Commemoration for Irish Nationals and Irish-Canadians in the Military.

Held in conjunction with Ireland’s National Day of Commemoration, this new annual ceremony honours the generations of Irish nationals and Irish-Canadians who served in uniform and recognizes their enduring contributions to Canada’s military history.

This year’s ceremony will take place at the gravesite of Private Martin Groden, a veteran of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who served at Gallipoli during the First World War before immigrating to Canada. His remarkable story of service, sacrifice, migration, and rediscovery reflects the experiences of many Irish veterans whose lives bridged two nations.

The ceremony will include commemorative remarks, a reading of the poem Ranks of Green by Samara O’Gorman, the sounding of the Last Post, a period of silence, wreath laying, a piper’s lament, and the singing of both the Canadian and Irish national anthems.

As we establish this new annual tradition of remembrance, we invite members of the public to join us in honouring the service and sacrifice of Irish nationals and Irish-Canadians whose legacy continues to shape our shared history.

We look forward to welcoming you.