Crisp spring sun shines on Easter Rising ceremony

President Michael D Higgins yesterday laid a wreath outside the GPO in Dublin to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Some 350 members of the Defence Forces took part in the O’Connell St ceremony, which climaxed with a fly-by from the Air Corps.

Hundreds of spectators turned out for the ceremony, which took place in crisp spring sunshine.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and a number of Cabinet and opposition political figures were also present for the memorial.

After the Tricolour was lowered to half-mast, the Proclamation of Independence was read by Captain Eoin Rochford on the steps of the GPO, which was followed by the laying of a wreath and a minute’s silence for the dead of the rebellion.

The fly-by saw four PC9 aircraft from the Air Corps take part.

Defence Forces personnel in attendance included a brass band, a pipe band, and representatives of the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service, and the Defence Reserve.

The central guard of honour at the front of the GPO was drawn from the Cadet School of Music at the Military College.

Martin McGuinness, the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, was among those in attendance at the annual ceremony.

The combined brass, reed, and pipe bands provided the music for the solemn occasion, including an evocative version of ‘Limerick’s Lament’.

The 107-member strong Presidential Guard was drawn from the 62nd Reserve Infantry Battalion.

Organisers have stated that the ceremony will be expanded and made more lavish for the centenary of the Easter Rising in three years.