Relatives of those who fought during the 1916 Rising spoke of their pride, as thousands gathered at the GPO in Dublin to honour those who took part in the rebellion.
President Michael D Higgins led the commemoration ceremony marking the anniversary, laying a wreath at the foot of the GPO to remember those who died before a minute's silence was observed.
For Dermot Forde, whose father Seán Forde also fought in the Rising, the annual commemoration is "the most special day of the year".
"It was only a small bunch of people, men and women, about 1,500 who took up the challenge of establishing through the Proclamation, an Irish republic.
"And thanks be to God 109 years later. We are now an island at peace and harmony thanks to the initiative shown by those brave people at that time," he said.
Watch: Captain Conor Gibbons reads the 1916 Proclamation
When asked how much honouring his late father meant to him, an emotional Mr Forde, who has attended the commemoration every year, said "everything".
Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring's grandfather Joseph Ring and his four brothers occupied the GPO during the Rising and subsequently fought in the War of Independence.
Wearing his grandfather’s military medals to the event, Mr Ring said it was an "honour" to commemorate the "heroes of 1916".
"It’s very poignant to be here every Easter Sunday to commemorate what they and their comrades did in the cause of Irish Freedom."
"It means so much to me personally, when I think of Easter Monday, 1916.
"My grandfather and his brothers left their house in Ballybough and came into the GPO, not knowing whether they would ever be home again - but they did it for my generation and future generations.
"And 109 years later, it's great to see huge crowds and the same respect being given to what they did, to men and women of 1916 did for us," he said.
Joined today by his three-month-old daughter Ailbhe, Seán Greif is the great-grandnephew of Micheál O'Hanrahan, who was executed for his part in the Easter Rising.
Mr Greif hopes the example set by those who took part in the rebellion will both inspire and help create a better future for his own child.
"For Ailbhe, we'd like to raise her, as an Irish speaker and have cultural nationalism in a way that is inclusive and diverse, but still very sure of her identity."
"Her mother is French which is a nod to the new Ireland, which can be multilingual, multicultural and quite embracing of a different variety of backgrounds."
"I think that's really important for her (Ailbhe), and when you see the range of people here today, it's an exciting time for Ireland's future," he said.
The 1916 Proclamation of Independence was read today by Captain Conor Gibbons, 109 years since Pádraig Pearse, who led the Irish Volunteers, did the same.
Captain Gibbons’ father Frank said seeing his son during the ceremony made for "an emotional day".
"He’s army through and through. He's so proud of what he does and we're all very proud of him," he added.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Captain Gibbons’ stepmother Anne Billington stressed the importance of celebrating "those that have gone before us".
"It’s so nice to think when we are here today that we still have this sense of value, decency and common good and that we look out for each other.
"Long may it last."
