The first major event to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising is held at the Garden of Remembrance.
President Michael D Higgins, acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin Críona Ní Dhálaigh were among the dignitaries at the Garden of Remembrance, the historic site where the Irish Volunteers were founded in 1913, to mark the occasion. They were joined by seven hundred relatives of 78 volunteers who died during the Easter Rising.
A ceremony to honour those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
The Garden of Remembrance was officially opened in 1966 by President Éamon de Valera, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
The ceremony opened with the Island of Ireland's Peace Choir singing a rendition of 'The Parting Glass'. Muriel McAuley, granddaughter of Thomas MacDonagh, read an extract of a letter sent by Pádraig Pearse from Kilmainham Gaol.
You cannot conquer Ireland. You cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom.
Violinist Patricia Treacy performed The Proclamation, and poet Theo Dorgan read his specially commissioned work, 'In the Garden of Remembrance', created for the centenary.
This was followed by the formal state commemoration of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army who died during the Easter Rising. Taoiseach Enda Kenny invited President Michael D Higgins to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland in honour of all those who died. This was followed by a minute silence.
To close the ceremony, the Irish flag was hoisted to full mast and the national anthem was sounded.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 March 2016. The reporter is Sandra Hurley.
