Around 2,000 people have attended a ceremony beside the site of the explosion in Creeslough to remember the ten people who died there this day last year.
The anniversary commemoration was led by parish priest Fr John Joe Duffy who prayed for those who died, their families, those who were injured and all who responded to the tragedy.
Members of the emergency services who were involved in the search and rescue operation on the night attended the ceremony including gardaí, members of the National Ambulance Service and the K9 Search and Rescue unit from Northern Ireland.
Fr Duffy said this day last year will be forever etched in our memories and those who were lost will always have a special place in our hearts.
The names of each of those who died were read out and at the time the tragedy happened there was a minutes silence and a bell was run ten times in memory of each of them.
Following the ceremony, Fr Duffy said that the journey of recovery will continue for the village for some time to come.
"In this community of Creeslough, we know neither the length nor the duration of that journey, but we will travel it together," he said.
Fr Duffy thanked the members of the emergency services who helped in the aftermath and were with the people of Creeslough again today standing in solidarity with them.
He also thanked the people of Ireland for the thousands of messages and letters and asked them to keep the people of Creeslough in their thoughts and hearts for the journey ahead.
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster said it has been a very difficult and painful year and a year of heartache, but it was also a year in which "we saw the best of people".
Read more: Creeslough community still coming to terms with tragedy
President Michael D Higgins has expressed his condolences with the people of Creeslough.
"Having had the privilege of sharing the incredible grief that was visited on the people of Creeslough a year ago, I want to wish them success with all the resilience they have shown and need," he said.
"It is so appropriate that this occasion is being remembered as a great tribute not only to those who were lost, but to the community that had held them at its heart."
Tánaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin has said he is thinking of the people of Creeslough this weekend.
He said that the entire country remains acutely aware of "the trauma visited on them" 12 months ago.
A vigil mass is also to take place at 7.30pm at St Michael's Church to remember those who died and those who were injured, and to thank the first responders to the scene.
The rescue and recovery effort was praised and sympathies were shared from across the world in the aftermath of the explosion.
A year on, no update has been given publicly on what caused the explosion.
Gardaí previously said the incident was being treated as a tragic accident, with a gas leak considered as one possibility.
They said ahead of the anniversary that its investigation was continuing "as expeditiously as possible".
It said that over 1,350 lines of inquiry had been actioned and more than 900 statements had been taken.
Various garda agencies are involved in the investigation and are being assisted by the Norwegian company Det Norske Veritas, which specialises in investigating and testing energy systems.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that "thoughts and prayers" are with the community in Creeslough.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones and the community in Creeslough today and every day.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) October 7, 2023
Seasimíd Libh. https://t.co/3GJugDqe1N
The road had been closed off for the event which was attended by some members of the bereaved families and the wider community.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue represented the Government.
Additional reporting: PA
