Thousands line street to remember Easter Rising heroes

Several thousand people lined Dublin’s O’Connell Street today as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese led commemorations to mark the 91st anniversary of the Easter Rising.

In a relatively low-key ceremony, 350 members of the Defence Forces stood guard outside the iconic GPO in glorious sunshine as the traditional honours were offered to the heroes of 1916.

Just after midday a short prayer and the Proclamation were read, the Tricolour on top of the GPO was lowered to half mast and President McAleese laid a wreath before a minute’s silence was observed and the last post sounded.

A rooftop fly past by the Air Corps the length of O’Connell Street rounded off the ceremony, which lasted just over half an hour.

Gardaí estimated that 5,000 people lined O’Connell Street.

The somewhat subdued commemoration was planned by the Government to be much smaller than last year’s 90th anniversary celebrations which saw regiments of officers march through the capital and put the best of the Defence Force’s equipment on display.

Although this year’s event involved several hundred troops it was in marked contrast to 12 months ago with no parade, none of the military hardware which dominated last year’s tribute on show and no speeches.

President McAleese and the Taoiseach led the dignitaries taking part in the event who included Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte.

Relatives of those who fought and died in the Easter Rising also attended the ceremony and later attended a private function in the GPO.

The ceremony began around midday with the 350 members of the Defence Forces forming in front of the GPO. Included were officers from the 1st Southern, 2nd Eastern and 4th Western Brigades, as well the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh, the Air Corps and Naval Service.

All troops paraded with their respective brigade and service colours as Mr O’Dea inspected the troops.

A Guard of Honour from the Cadet School of the Military College stood directly in front of the GPO as President McAleese’s motorcade arrived flanked by motorbike outriders.

A 107 strong presidential Guard of Honour drawn from the 62nd and 63rd Reserve Infantry Battalions and the 62nd Reserve Regiment of the Reserve Defence Forces also lined the street.

The President inspected the troops before taking her place at the head of dignitaries facing the building.

A brief prayer was offered by Army chaplain Right Reverend Monsignor Eoin Thynne and the Proclamation of Independence was read by Captain Therese O’Keeffe on the steps of the GPO.

President McAleese was invited by the Taoiseach to lay a wreath at the front of the building in honour of those who fought and died for the Republic in 1916.

A minute silence and the national anthem drew the ceremony to a close as the Tricolour was returned to full mast and the Air Corps performed its fly past.