World day of Remembrance 2021

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Sunday 21 November 2021

Did you know? 

The Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was first held in 1993 in the United Kingdom and organised since then by non-governmental organizations in a number of countries. It was created to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and for their loved ones.

On 26 October 2005, the United Nations adopted a resolution which calls for governments to mark the third Sunday in November each year as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This day provides an opportunity to draw the public’s attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them. The day also provides an opportunity to remind governments and society of their responsibility to make roads safer.

While road traffic deaths are counted in the year they occur, a family remains bereaved forever. The bereaved are not counted or included in road traffic injury data. Many others remain deeply affected by the loss of a friend, colleague, neighbour or member of the community. The effect on the emergency services, whose work involves facing the consequences of crashes on a daily basis, is also profound. Road traffic injuries leave behind shattered families and communities.

What is happening this year?

This year the RSA will be joining forces again with members of An Garda Síochána, Local County Councils, Emergency Services and victim support groups to mark the day and remember those who have died on our roads at services which will be held across the country.

Please let us know what is happening in your area to mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims and we will add all the details to this page.

Official materials for an event can be accessed on the WHO website here: https://www.who.int/groups/united-nations-road-safety-collaboration/world-day-of-remembrance/2021

Activities taking place in Ireland to mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims include remembrance services and ceremonies:

Events Nationwide

A remembrance mass for victims and families of road traffic collisions will be live on RTE 1 at 11am Sunday 21 November. 

A remembrance ceremony will be streamed on the RSA Facebook page from 2pm on Sunday 21 November and can be viewed at any time.

The Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) will hold a virtual event to commemorate the UN World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 21 November at 3pm. All are invited to join this event on the following link  https://www.facebook.com/IrishRoadVictims

Cork

A Special Memorial Mass will take place in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street (Shandon), Cork City at 11.30am. It will be attended by personnel from the emergency services. All are welcome.

Dublin

The Road Safety Authority will be holding a Mass for World Day of Remembrance road traffic victims and their families on Sunday 21st November at 11.30 at St Francis of Assisi Church, Priorswood, Coolock, Dublin 17.   

Members of the public are invited to bring a photo of their loved one to place under the Jesse Tree on the Altar, where a candle lighting service will take place.  For information or if you would like to take part in the service, please contact [email protected] or phone Orlaith Maguire on  087 9775710  

Donegal

Donegal County Council is inviting businesses and householders to ‘Shine a Light’ between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday 21 November for road crash victims. 

An amber light will shine on Council buildings, while people are also invited to shine a light in their front windows to remember all victims of road traffic collisions.

Kerry

A remembrance service will take place in St Mary’s Cathedral, New Street, Killarney at 12 noon.

Louth

A remembrance service will take place in the Augustinian Church, Drogheda at 1.15pm

Leitrim

Lights in the Aras An Chontae Building in Carrick on Shannon will be lit up on the evening of Sunday 21November between 7 and 8 pm.

Limerick

A remembrance Mass will be held in Remembrance of our loved ones in St Munchin's Church, Clancy Strand, Limerick at 11.30am. Families are invited to bring along a photo of there loved one on the day which will be placed around the alter. 

Kildare

Kildare county council is inviting businesses and householders to ‘Shine a Light’ between 7 and 8pm on Sunday 21 November for road crash victims. An amber or white light will shine on public buildings such as council offices, town halls etc while people are also invited to shine a light in their front windows of the evening.

As we know, gardaí, fire and ambulance personnel are the ‘first responders’ to road traffic incidents, and based on last year’s success, all services are invited to ‘line-out’ and shine a light outside their stations and base. Emergency vehicles will be parked on the apron outside their stations and will activate the vehicles ‘blue lights’ for a short period, with a periodical one-vehicle siren yelp, before falling silent.  

All religions and none will also be invited to participate in World Remembrance Day in their own reflective way. 

Offaly

Offaly are joining with other local authorities in the lighting of Council buildings, throughout Offaly on World Remembrance Day by lighting on the 21 November 2021.

Longford

Longford County Council, Longford Fire Station, Longford Garda Station and Longford Ambulance Station will be taking part in the World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 21 November 2021, in the Shine a light campaign.  Local Council Buildings and Fire stations will be lit up from 7 -8 pm on the 21 November.  

Westmeath

Westmeath County Council will be taking part in the World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 21 November 2021, in the Shine a light campaign.  Emergency Services will also join together outside Fire stations at 7pm  and will activate the vehicles ‘blue lights’ for a short period, with a periodical one-vehicle siren yelp, before falling silent.