Northern Ireland's oldest man Norman Irwin, 107, is laid to rest as a Second World War 'hero' in Coleraine

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026 · last updated 20 September 2026.

Norman Irwin, who died on 2 September aged 107, was honoured at a thanksgiving service at New Row Presbyterian Church in Coleraine on Saturday. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers personnel lined the streets, the REME flag was draped over his coffin, and the ceremony included a standard-bearer, a guard of honour, a bugler and a piper. Police closed off Coleraine town centre to traffic to accommodate the large crowds that turned out to pay their respects.

Irwin served with the Royal Artillery before his mechanical aptitude led to a transfer to the newly formed REME in 1942, where he attained the rank of sergeant.

He received the British Empire Medal in last year's King's Birthday Honours for his decades of community service in Coleraine.

Among his civic contributions, Irwin was a founding figure behind the Coleraine Rotary Club, the Coleraine Winemakers Club and the Agivey Anglers Association, and he remained active well into his later years.