A ceremony marking National Services Day has taken place in Dublin Castle.
The event, which aims to honour those who serve the state as public servants or volunteers in frontline, national security or emergency services, saw some 22 groups take part.
Proceedings began with a wreath-laying ceremony to honour those who died in the services, attended by Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers TD and the Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam.
A minute's silence was also held before the Tricolour was raised to full mast and Amhrán na bhFiann played.
Following the ceremony, parades involving gardaí, the National Ambulance Service, the fire services, the Coast Guard, Civil Defence teams, the Red Cross and the Order of Malta also travelled from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square down O'Connell Street and Dame Street, ending their journey at Dublin Castle.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The event was established in 2013 and is organised each year by the volunteer led Frontline Emergency and Security Services Éire Forum.
In 2018, National Frontline Services Day was formally declared by the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.
Speaking at today's commemoration, Owen Medland, Public Relations Officer of the National Services Day, said there is a nationwide appetite for continued growth of the event.
"It’s been a superb day, and it’s great to see that we are getting the buy in from the heads of services, those in office, and the general public," he said.
"We worked our way through Covid to capitalise on the public's desire to thank these men and women in state and voluntary services."
"And now we’re fully established. The first Saturday of September is now a time that people can put in their calendar to come and support the people that keep us safe every day," he added.
Visitors were also given the opportunity to interact with various frontline services and volunteer groups who held interactive stalls at the event.
Among the 22 groups in attendance was, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), established in 1951 to provide support and advocacy for Irish veterans.
National President of ONE, Michael 'Mick’ Kinahan, said events like National Service Day are essential is growing public awareness and support.
"At the moment we have four homes which accounts for 52 people who we look after that are homeless ex-soldiers.
"We are opening another three this year and next year another two."
"We also have six full time councillors, and 16 veteran support centers," he said.
"Some of our oldest veterans that we look after are in their 80s, and our youngest is 24, and they are facing some serious difficulties.
"So, we look after every veteran in the country; we leave no veteran behind."
"But we need support, we're all the time out looking for money, and events like today are a great promotional vehicle," he added.
Additional National Services Day commemorations took place in Cork, Wexford, Limerick, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Naas, and Galway.
