Whole weekend of 1916 events planned

The main 1916 centenary celebrations kick off on Saturday with events happening right across the weekend.

SATURDAY

State ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance and a State event for 1916 relatives of participants and keynote address by President Michael D Higgins.

SUNDAY

Wreath-laying ceremonies at Glasnevin Cemetery and State ceremonial event at the Stone Breakers Yard in Kilmainham. Easter Centenary Parade over a 4.5km route across the city centre. State ceremonial at 12pm at the GPO, where the Presi will lay a wreath.

MONDAY

RTÉ Reflecting the Rising will include more than 500 free talks, exhibitions, debates, film, performances and dramatisations across Dublin city. Events will take place in four main zones:

Zone 1: St Stephen’s Green and Earlsfort Terrace

The Dublin Gospel Choir and others perform; Food and craft fair; Céilí Mór.

Zone 2: Merrion Square and Lower Fitzwilliam Street

Main stage with Lisa O’Neill, Kíla, Mick Flannery, The Academic; Vintage cars, motorbikes, buses and a steam engine exhibition; Children’s Play Day.

Zone 3: O’Connell Street

Main Stage Sharon Shannon, The High Kings, The Celtic Tenors, Eleanor Shanley; Photographic and installation exhibition; Joe Duffy broadcasting live on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1.30pm.

Zone 4: Smithfield Square and the Fruit Market area

Vintage Tram stage with Aonghus McAnally hosting a variety of performances; Children’s storytelling; City Public Libraries’ Learning Buses; On-street activities including old- fashioned children’s games.

Wreath-laying ceremonies at seven 1916 garrison locations around Dublin.

There will also be four wreath-layings in Athenry, Co Galway, Cork, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and Ashbourne, Co Meath.