Easter Rising marked by President and Taoiseach 105 years on

Taoiseach Micheal Martin joins Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney and Lord Mayor Hazel Chu Dignitaries at the GPO, Dublin, for the Easter 1916 Commemoration. Photo: PA 

President Michael D Higgins led commemorations of the Easter Rising 105 years on from his official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.

A second non-public event was held at the GPO on O’Connell Street in Dublin, one of the main sites of the rebellion against British rule in 1916.

For the second year in a row, events were adapted to abide by coronavirus regulations.

President Higgins rang the Peace Bell before laying a wreath “on behalf of the people of Ireland in honour of all those who died” at a group of 16 birch trees that were planted in 2019 in memory of the executed Rising leaders.

“I ndilchuimhne orthu siúd a ghlac pháirt, a maraíodh agus a gortaíodh le linn Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916.

In memory of all those who took part, were killed and injured during the Easter Rising of 1916.”

Micheál D. Ó hUigínn
Uachtarán na hÉireannhttps://t.co/fIKPnyzMPM pic.twitter.com/DXUWq1lFMY

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 4, 2021

Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended the event at the GPO which featured a military ceremony, music, prayers and a performance of the National Anthem by soprano Claudia Boyle.

The proclamation was read by Captain Marie Carrigy from Co Longford.