Parishes will mark the Armistice Centenary
Parish churches in Down and Dromore will be at the centre of numerous acts of remembrance on Sunday 11 November, particularly as the nation marks the centenary of the Armistice which signalled the end of the First World War.
As well as church services, some parishes are hosting or taking part in special events and many will join in the nationwide pealing of bells at 12.30 pm.
The bell ringing will replicate the national outpouring of relief which took place at the end of the war as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had long been silent rang out. Bells ringing out at 12.30 will also help mark the shift in emphasis from Remembrance in the morning to thanksgiving in the afternoon for the end of war and for peace. This will coincide with the start of the People’s Procession, as 10,000 members of the public march past the Cenotaph in a nation’s thank you.
Some of the events and services taking place on Sunday 11 November (unless otherwise indicated). They are listed in alphabetical order.
Ballywalter
A Service of Remembrance at 11.30 am. There will also be a special joint evening with Ballywalter Presbyterian church to commemorate the Armistice Centenary on Friday 16 November at 7.30 pm. This will include a Drum Head service as well as the Ballywalter Flute Band, readings and songs.
Bangor
As well as its services of Remembrance at 10.00 am and 11.30 am, Bangor Parish will mark the Armistice with bell ringing. Among all the bell towers of the British Isles, Bangor has the sad distinction of having lost the most ringers in the Great War, with three killed on the first day of the Somme alone:
10.55–11.00 am Bell Ringing, ‘The Dead Soldiers’
11.00 am Silence, then single bell for one minute, then ringing for Armistice
12.30 pm Ringing for Thanksgiving for Peace
Bangor Abbey
The Abbey will ring their single bell at 12.30 pm and have invited parishioners to bring along their own and join in. Within the parish, Clandeboye Estate and Helen’s Tower are the last memories many had of home before going off to the front.
Belvoir
Belvoir Parish has compiled the stories and records of 26 relatives of members of the congregation. They will be remembered on Sunday 11 November and at a night of music, poetry, stories and prayers on Thursday 8 November at 8.00 pm.
Carrowdore and Millisle
Remembrance service at St. Patrick’s Millisle at 10.00 am and at Christ Church, Carrowdore at 11.30 am.
Donaghadee
On Remembrance Sunday at 11.30 am Donaghadee will have both an Act of Remembrance and a Thanksgiving Service marking the Centenary of the end of the Great War.
Donaghcloney & Waringstown
Service of Remembrance in St. Patrick’s beginning at 10.30 am and in Holy Trinity Waringstown at 11.30 am.
At 6.30 pm a joint church event called The Armistice. War Years Remembered will provide items from WW1 and a banner from the Orange Lodge in Waringstown which depicts men who lost their lives in the Great War will be on display. The service will be held in Donaghcloney Presbyterian Church, Moygannon Road, Donaghcloney.
Dundela
On Sunday 11 November at 7.30 pm, St Mark’s, Dundela, will host a special Songs of Praise with Festival Brass to commemorate the Armistice on its centenary. Festival Brass will be joined by soloist, Fr. Martin O’Hagan, one of the Singing Priests. This is a free event but there will be a freewill offering in aid of the Earl Haig Fund. (St Mark’s Dundela, 221 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 2DR).
Gilford
Morning Prayer at 11.30 am will include the Act of Remembrance and the church bells will be rung at 12.30 pm. The bells in Gilford Parish will be rung at 7.05 pm on Sunday evening.
Greyabbey, Ballyphilip and Kircubbin
Acts of Remembrance at services:
Greyabbey at 10.00 am
Ballyphilip at 10.00 am
Kircubbin at 11.45 am followed by an Austerity Lunch
At Greyabbey the bells will peal with muffles at 9.30 am and without muffles at 12.30 pm.
Hillsborough
The ten bells of St Malachy, Hillsborough, will be rung muffled for the centenary of the end of WW1 on Sunday 11 November. They will ring from 3–4.00 pm and again at 7.05 pm. The public are welcome to come and watch and listen.
Holywood
Acts of Remembrance at both the 9.45 am an 11.30 am services.
Killyleagh
At 6.00 pm on Sunday 11 November the community in Killyleagh will join a Walk of Peace, culminating with the sounding of the last post and the reading of the names of all 51 from the village who were killed in the Great War. The bells of St John’s will ring out for peace at 7.05 pm (as well as joining the nationwide peal of bells at 12.30 pm).
Kilmoood
The new ‘Peace Bells’ at St Mary’s Kilmood will ring out with the rest of the nation at 12.30 pm on Sunday 11 November. At 6.30 pm there will be a short family friendly service when the Battle’s Over beacon will be ignited alongside 1000+ others across the British Isles.
Kilwarlin
The bells of St John’s will join the nationwide bell ringing at 12.30 pm.
Newcastle
Act of Remembrance at 11.30am service of Morning Prayer, following ceremonies at the Town Cenotaph. Bell ringing at 12.30pm.
Newry
Acts of Remembrance at St. Mary’s at 10.00 am and at St. Patrick’s at 11.45 am when the Deputy Lord Lieutenant will take part in the commemorations.
Movilla Abbey Church
Act of Remembrance at 10.00 am service (Anglican) and at 12.00 pm (Methodist).
Seagoe, Killicomaine and Ardmore
9.00am Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance
10.30am Remembrance Day Service
12.00pm Remembrance Day Service in Ardmore
6.00pm Evening worship with Act of Remembrance in St. Patrick’s, Killicomaine
7.00pm Evening Worship with Act of Remembrance in Seagoe followed by supper
7.00pm Evening Worship with Act of Remembrance in Ardmore
The bell at Ardmore will be rung at 12.30 pm and at 7.05 pm.
Willowfield Remembers7, 8 November in Willowfield Church
Military Museum – Exhibition for school groups from 9.00 am – 3.00 pm. Open to all from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
From 7.40 pm – 9.00 pm, a programme of poetry, drama, music and a talk.
7 November– Philip Orr speaks about The Great War and its impact as the soldiers came home. 8 November – Jason Burke speaks about The Great War and its impact on East Belfast
Centenary Armistice Services in Willowfield Church at 10.00 am and 11.30 am on Sunday 11 November.
The Military Museum is owned and run by War Years Remembered. The exhibition brings history alive by allowing members of the public to get up close and personal with the many exhibits on show from the World Wars.