Today the Irish people paused to reflect and remember all those who died from COVID-19 during the pandemic. Some 6,600 people in Ireland lost their lives to the disease and countless more had their lives changed utterly. 

At Áras an Uachtaráin President Higgins began the National Day of Remembrance with the tolling of the Peace Bell in honour of those who have suffered: 

“Today we have to the forefront of our minds the more than half a million people in this country who lost loved ones during the pandemic,” he said. 

“And all those, too, living abroad who have endured painful separation from loved ones at home in Ireland at times of great distress and grief."

President and Sabina Higgins this morning held a special Remembrance Ceremony for all those who died from COVID-19, those grieving the loss of their loved ones and frontline workers. You can read the President's address from the event at https://t.co/noUC2kNYpd pic.twitter.com/UmB3Pkhx8g

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 20, 2022

Garden of Remembrance ceremony 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was due to attend the main ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin but tested positive for COVID-19 whilst in Washington DC. Instead the Government was represented by Tánaiste Leo Vardkar who paid tribute to those who had kept the nation safe during its darkest hours: 

“We also gather to give thanks to the frontline workers, essential workers and volunteers who led our national response in the pandemic,” he told those in attendance. 

“You showed us Ireland at its best - beimid buíoch daoibh i gconaí. 

“We do so in the knowledge that the pandemic is not yet over in Ireland, nor around the world. Our battle with this virus continues.”

Wreaths were laid by politicians, representatives of frontline workers and the families of those who died. Memories were shared and comfort was given. 

Pictured  is An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD attending the National Commemoration day for those who died over the course the Covid 19 Pandemic in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin this afternoon. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie.

Speaking to On The Record with Gavan Reilly ahead of the event, Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland said she thought the day should also be considered a celebration of the lives of those who have left us: 

“As well as being sad… it’s also a day of celebration,” she said. 

“And I think there’s no [one] better than the Irish to wake our loved ones and celebrate that circle of life and celebrate somebody’s contribution to their family and to life.

“So it is a mix of remembrance and celebration.” 

Listen and subscribe to On The Record with Gavan Reilly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

Inquiry

However, absent from the event were the families of those who lost loved ones from an outbreak of COVID-19 in Dealgan House nursing home in Dundalk. They have decided to host their own event in Louth and have called on the Government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths of their relatives: 

“We need to know the facts, families cannot move forward until they know what happened,” Majella Beaty of the campaign group Care Champions said. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government will announce the details of a public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic in the coming weeks but stressed it should not be viewed as a “witch hunt” to apportion blame: 

“Overall… Ireland did well in respect of the level of excess deaths - relative to other countries,” An Taoiseach said. 

“But of course it still took a terrible toll on our people and we do need to have that evaluation of how we did. 

“And I would hope that we would have proposals within the next number of weeks on that.”

Main image: National Day of Commemoration for those who died of COVID-19. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie.