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Video: Highlights of State commemoration parade

Updated / Monday, 28 Mar 2016 07:43
Crowds lined the streets for the largest public spectacle in the history of the State
Crowds lined the streets for the largest public spectacle in the history of the State

Tens of thousands turned out in Dublin today to witness the official State commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Crowds lined the streets from early this morning for the largest public spectacle in the history of the State.

The day began with wreath-laying ceremonies at Glasnevin Cemetery and in the Stonebreakers' Yard in Kilmainham Gaol, where the leaders of the Rising were executed.

President Michael D Higgins carried out the ceremony at Kilmainham, which was followed by a minute's silence.

The Army No 1 Band played The Last Post after the wreath-laying.

President Higgins then made his way to the GPO, where the main commemoration of the day took place.

Four children representing the four provinces laid bouquets of daffodils outside the GPO.

They were accompanied by a lone piper playing Yeats's Down By The Salley Gardens.

Captain Peter Kelleher, a member of the 27th Infantry Battalion whose family were involved in flying columns during the War of Independence, read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic at the GPO at midday.

The Army No 1 Band also played Danny Boy ahead of President Higgins' wreath-laying ceremony.

Again, a minute's silence was held after the wreath-laying, this time followed by a rendition of Mise Éire by the Army No 1 Band.

The flag on top of the GPO, which was lowered to half mast during the ceremony, was hoisted to full mast as Amhrán na bhFiann played.

The ceremony was topped off by a flypast by the Irish Air Corp, complete with green, white and orange smoke trails.

Following the ceremony the parade, which had been waiting at College Green, made its way past the dignitaries on O'Connell St before concluding on Capel St.

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