RTÉ's Centenary received an overwhelming response on Twitter with emotional viewers saying the show had them bursting with pride.
Broadcast live from Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the gala concert portrayed the story of Ireland through music, dance and song and was watched by an audience of just under half a million viewers (491,000 to be exact).
The haunting and poignant reading of The Proclamation by Irish people around the world struck a chord with many viewers, who took to social media to voice their appreciation for the special show.
Comhghairdeas do gach éinne bainteach leis an clár 'Centenary'..Ar fheabhas. An bhródúil. #rte #centenary #1916
— Rachel Ní Éalaithe (@KokoNonie) 28 March 2016
Hats off to everyone involved with #Centenary on @RTEOne top-notch production values!
— padserdalhoun (@paudi65) 28 March 2016
So proud of #Centenary - A fitting end to this Easter Monday which started with a fabulous State Ceremonial Event in Athenry! .@ireland2016
— Majella O'Dea (@MajellaODea) 28 March 2016
RTE, I've said this before & I'll say it again. When you get it right, you get it so, so right. This is goosebump stuff. Bravo! #Centenary
— PJ Coogan (@pjcoogan) 28 March 2016
#Centenary Pure pride and brilliance! Ireland is such a talented country
— Kate Reilly (@KatieReilly88) 28 March 2016
Just off stage! So delighted to have been a part of the centenary. Proud to see so many amazing Irish artists all in one place! #1916
— Gavin James (@gavinjames) 28 March 2016
#Centenary Absolutely fantastic show but should have finished with the National Anthem sang by all of the singers on stage. ☘💚🇨🇮💪🏼
— Cathy Maguire (@CathyMaguirexox) 28 March 2016
#centenary on RTE is just stunning. Moving and inspirational music and dance. #proudtobeirish
— Fonril (@Fonril) 28 March 2016
So impressed with @rte #Centenary show live from @BGETheatre I have goosepimples with just half an eye to it in work. Emotional stuff.
— Louise Kelly (@Louise_a_Kelly) 28 March 2016
One thing #centenary proves, we are defined by and owe a huge debt to our artists and culture. Let that never be forgotten
— Thomas Byrne (@ThomasByrneTD) 28 March 2016
Thank you for watching! Overwhelming response to #Centenary #rte1916 pic.twitter.com/n39AdmenWZ
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) 28 March 2016
Imelda May, Gavin James, The High Kings, Colm Wilkinson, Danny O'Reilly, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Sharon Shannon, Dónal Lunny, John Sheahan, Celine Byrne, Seo Linn and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra were just some of the acts to perform on Sunday night.
Imelda May performingBein' Green on stage
Imelda May, who performed a very Irish reworking of Kermit The Frog's It's Not Easy Bein' Green, said Centenary night was a very personal one for her.
"To commemorate the sacrifice those brave martyrs made for us is very important to me and my family. My own grandparents were part of it," she said.
May said it was fitting that the sacrifices of 1916 were commemorated through music, art and poetry, given that the Rising was not led by traditional soldiers, "but by poets and artists fighting with passion and pride".
"It is no accident that the emblem of our free country is a harp; a musical instrument," she continued. "I think of that and those men and women every time I look at my passport ...with gratitude and pride."
Along with May's performance of It's Not Easy Bein' Green, songs performed during Centenary included Jack L's rendition of The Minstrel Boy, Gavin James' cover of The Foggy Dew and teenager singer Sibéal Ní Chasaide's rendition of Pádraig Pearse's poem Mise Éire, which also featured on the recent documentary series 1916: The Irish Rebellion.
Jack L performing The Minstrel Boy
The show also saw Iarla Ó Lionáird performing in the Garden of Remembrance and The Coronas' Danny O'Reilly, his sister Róisín O, and their cousin Aoife Scott performing Jim McCann's Grace from Kilmainham Gaol.
You can catch Centenary (or watch it again) here.
