President to attend National Day of Commemoration

A ceremony is being held in Dublin today to mark the National Day of Commemoration.

The event is to honour all Irish men and women who have died in wars or on service with the United Nations.

The ceremony will be attended by President Mary McAleese and the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Today's proceedings at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham began with a multi-faith commemoration ceremony at 10.30am.

Representatives from the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland and from Islamic and Jewish communities will participate.

The ceremony is attended by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen, President Mary McAleese and representatives from the Defence Forces and the Judiciary.

Relatives of the 1916 leaders and the next of kin of those who died on UN services are also in attendance.

The President will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland.