IT’S VERY POSSIBLE the Queen could be rolling into town for the Easter Rising commemorations in two year’s time.
Her Majesty herself mooted the idea during this month’s State visit, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny echoed the sentiment the following day, saying the Government had made it clear “some time ago” that members of the royal family would be invited to attend the 100th anniversary.
There’ll be no royalty on parade today, however. The 98th anniversary will be an all-Irish affair, with Kenny, President Higgins and Justice & Defence Minister Alan Shatter leading a ‘solemn ceremony’ outside the GPO.
In keeping with proceedings in recent years, there’ll be prayers of remembrance, a reading of the Proclamation and a laying of a wreath by the President. Members of the Defence Forces will be on parade, and ceremony concludes with a fly-past by the Air Corps.
The official State commemoration was reintroduced in 2006 by the Fianna Fáil-led government, and is now held every year.
If you’re planning on heading along, the event gets under way at 11.45 and will be wrapped up shortly after half-twelve. It will also be streamed online.
Traffic restrictions are in place around the northside of the city as a result, and O’Connell Street itself will be closed-off until 3pm this afternoon.
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