LAST UPDATE | 21 Apr 2019
COMMEMORATIONS HAVE TAKEN place at Dublin’s General Post Office to mark the 103rd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Starting at midday, members of the public were invited to attend this afternoon’s ceremony at the GPO – the rebel headquarters during the Rising – which was lead by President Michael D Higgins.
The Irish national flag on top of the GPO was lowered after which the 1916 Proclamation was read aloud.
Defence Forces brass and pipe bands and Army representatives took part in the ceremony which finished with an Air Corps fly past.
President Michael D. Higgins arrives at the GPO for the Commemoration Ceremony which is being screened on RTE News Now #easter1916 pic.twitter.com/uT35qWNQb9
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) April 21, 2019
Earlier this morning, commemorations were held at Glasnevin Cemetery with a wreath-laying over the Sigerson Monument.
The monument is the grave of Edward Hollywood, who delivered the first tricolour flag to Ireland from France, and Peadar Kearney, who composed national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann.
The Easter Rising saw 1,600 men and women occupy various key buildings around Dublin in a bid for Irish freedom through armed insurrection. Although a military failure, the subsequent execution of its leaders turned the tide of public opinion and ultimately lead to the War of Independence in 1919.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say