LAST UPDATE | 20 Apr

THE ANNUAL CEREMONY commemorating the Easter Rising outside the GPO on O’Connell Street, Dublin city centre, has concluded. 

President Micheal D. Higgins led the ceremony. 

To mark the occasion, the tricolour on the GPO was lowered to half-mast. The Proclamation of Independence was read aloud by an officer from the Defence Forces. 

The Irish tricolour flies at half-mast during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO on O'Connell Street, Dublin. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste and the Minister for Defence Simon Harris joined the president in the commemorations. Also present at the event were First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, and former President Mary Robinson.

Defence Forces’ personnel, including a brass band, a pipe band and representatives of the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service took part in the ceremony.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin attending a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The President laid a wreath to commemorate those who died in the 1916 Rising. A minute’s silence was observed. Applause followed. 

The tricolour was then raised to full-mast and the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, was played by the band. 

It concluded with an Air Corps fly past.

The Easter Rising or 1916 Rising began on Easter Monday 1916. It was led by revolutionaries as they revolted against English rule.

The GPO underwent significant damage during the uprising, and a number of rebels were executed for their roles.

The uprising lasted only six days, but its existence furthered the fight for Irish independence.