Red Ensign flies across Mid and East Antrim in tribute to Merchant Navy seafarers

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon with the Principal of Olderfleet Primary School, Mrs. Galbraith and representatives from the school.

The Red Ensign has been raised in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne as Mid and East Antrim paid tribute to generations of Merchant Navy seafarers — including thousands who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council marked national Merchant Navy Day, held annually on 3 September, with a flag-raising ceremony at Larne Harbour, while Red Ensign flags were also flown at Ballymena and Carrickfergus town halls.

Honouring an often unseen service

The Merchant Navy’s official flag was raised at the Port of Larne by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon, assisted by Harbour Master Tom McKay and cadet officers from the European Causeway.

Pictured (l-r) with the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon at the Red Ensign flag raising at Larne Harbour are: Matt McDowell, Director of People, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; John Stewart MLA; Rowan Moore, Director of Place Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; Jane Allen DL, Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim; Alderman Robert Logan and Councillor Matthew Warwick.

Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim Jane Allen joined elected representatives, RNLI representatives and staff and pupils from Olderfleet Primary School for the ceremony.

Those attending remembered the men and women who kept vital supplies flowing to the UK during both World Wars, while also recognising the contribution made by merchant seafarers today.

Nearly 15,000 merchant seafarers died during the First World War, while more than 40,000 were lost during the Second World War. Those who died ranged in age from just 14 to 78 and came from across the UK and Commonwealth.

‘Often unseen but essential’

Representatives from Port of Larne, the RNLI, P&O Cadet Officers and those with a seafaring connection were among those who joined the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon to mark Merchant Navy Day 2026.

Mayor Alderman Tom Gordon reflected on the particularly strong connection between the sea and communities along the borough’s coastline.

He said:

“Larne has been an active port for generations of seafarers and their families. It is entirely fitting that we pause here to reflect on this relationship with the sea, which has extended across our coastal communities and beyond.

“In communities such as ours the role of the Merchant Navy has been of the greatest significance. There have been so many families connected with the sea, often on the route from Larne to Loch Ryan and across the world’s oceans. From Carrickfergus to Carnlough and all places between, the livelihood of many was connected to the merchant marine.

“So many from our shores went to sea that it was said on the St. Lawrence Seaway in Canada you would always find a local from Islandmagee as the ships went back and forth. From the era of the old windjammers to the modern container traffic, the importance of the Merchant Navy has been crucial to our economy and national resilience.

“Whether transporting food and fuel in wartime to keeping goods moving in modern-day supply chains, these men and women are often unseen but essential.”

Before the Red Ensign was raised, messages were read from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Admiral The Right Honourable The Lord West of Spithead.

The flags flown at Ballymena and Carrickfergus town halls extended the borough’s tribute beyond Larne, recognising serving seafarers, Merchant Navy veterans and their families — and the continuing importance of a service which remains central to keeping goods moving around the world.