NORTHERN IRELAND’S ARMED FORCES’ DAY 2025 LAUNCH

Ards and North Down Council have announced that Newtownards is to host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD25). This national event is set for Saturday 21 June 2025 and Newtownards Airfield.
Visitors to the town can enjoy a host of family friendly entertainment, a military parade, music, cookery demonstrations and technical challenges to test event the brightest of brains. There will be military stands which will give everyone the opportunity to find out more about the work of the Armed Forces including The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force along with Cadet organisations.

The skies will be a hive of activity when the C47 Dakota from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the UK’s premier parachute display team, the Falcons, appear. One of the highlights will be the world famous Red Arrows Aerobic Team who will fly over the town. This is the only Northern Ireland visit this year.

The event begins at 10.30am with a band performance and the official regional Armed Forces Day parade through Newtownards. This will be followed by a special Drumhead Service and Flag Raising at Ards Airfield. Paul Clarke from UTV will compere the event and talk visitors through the programme, which will include musical performances from the Bad, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Ald Trevor Cummings Veterans Champion for Ards & North Down Borough Council, said,

‘I was delighted to accompany the Mayor Cllr Cathcart for the launch of Armed Forces Day.

It’s been well over a year in the planning and I’m so pleased that the RAF Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain memorial flight have been secured to help mark the special day.

There is no greater a message to those that serve, their families and to the veteran, than to salute the ongoing work of the tri forces of the army, navy, and air force.

This Borough has a unique relationship with each of the services, with our coastline hosting frequent visits by the Royal Navy, the peninsula bearing testimony to the vital role in training the RAF during WW2 and the presence of Palace Barracks and Reservist stations across the Borough standing in readiness to respond to whatever emergency arises.

It’s vital that we continue to show appreciation for our armed forces and the important role they play across the globe.’

The event is free to attend and will run from 10.30am to 4pm when a beating retreat will close the event in style. Full details of the programme and parking etc. will be available soon.