Funeral tomorrow for 107-year-old Norman Irwin - traffic expected to be heavy in Coleraine town centre
Road users are advised that access to Coleraine town centre pedestrian zone will be restricted tomorrow morning (Saturday 19 September) between 10.30am and 12.30pm, due to the funeral of 107-year-old Norman Irwin BEM.
A PSNI spokesman added that a large crowd is anticipated and officers will be in attendance to control traffic and assist with access for deliveries where possible.
A death notice in Funeral Times reports that Mr Irwin died on September 2 ‘peacefully at The Cottage Care Home, Coleraine’.
It adds that ‘Norman BEM, aged 107 years, late of Killowen House, Coleraine’ is the ‘dearly loved husband of the late Margaret, much loved father of David, Elizabeth and the late Margaret and Joy; adored and much loved grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather’.
The notice adds: ‘Service of Thanksgiving in New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine on Saturday 19th September at 11.30am followed by interment in Coleraine Cemetery. ‘Family flowers only, please. Donations, if wished, for Community Rescue Service c/o Hugh Wade and Son, 3 Upper Abbey Street, Coleraine, BT52 1BF or online at www.hughwadefuneraldirectors.com’.
Mr Irwin was born in 1918 – and and was understood to be Northern Ireland's oldest living person before his passing.
He served in eight countries during WW2 and played a vital role in protecting the Suez Canal from German attacks.
In 2025, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for a range of voluntary work in his Co Londonderry hometown of Coleraine - including at a cross-community club for retirees.