Commemorations are taking place to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest chapters in Northern Ireland's Troubles.
Over the course of 24 hours in January 1976, 16 people were murdered in three separate sectarian attacks in counties Armagh and Down.
The UVF was responsible for six of the murders, the IRA for ten.
The O’Dowd family were gathering for a New Year’s celebration at their home near Gilford, Co Down, when a UVF gang burst in and opened fire.
Brothers Barry, 24, and Declan,19, were shot dead along with their 61-year-old uncle Joe.
More than 100 members of the extended family gathered for an anniversary mass close to the scene of the shooting today.
Many of them had travelled from Co Meath, where the O'Dowd family relocated after the murders.
Joe’s son Gabriel said he had been 24 at the time his father was murdered and that he had become "emotionally trapped" at that age.
"It's tough. It's tough. Time is not a healer for something like this, you know?"
He said the most important thing was the "dignity" carried by the families over the years.
Noel O'Dowd lost his two brothers in the attack.
He said it was a very difficult day, but the family took some comfort that they had thrived in the intervening years despite the intentions of the loyalist murder gang.
"It's very emotional, 50 years have gone by and it's hard to believe that amount of time has passed.
"And it's incredible that we're basically still looking for the answers."
He said the British government had many of the answers but was choosing not to reveal them.
Serving police officers and members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been linked to the loyalist gang responsible for the murders.
The Reavey brothers killed minutes earlier
The O'Dowd family home was attacked just minutes after another Catholic family was attacked in their home near Whitecross, Co Armagh.
The UVF broke into the home of the Reavey family and opened fire.
Brothers John, Martin, 24, and Brian, 22, died instantly.
Their 17-year-old brother Anthony died later in hospital of his injuries.
The Reavey family has mounted a lengthy legal battle for answers.
Ten Protestant workers killed at Kingsmill
The families of the ten Protestant workmen murdered by the IRA at Kingsmill have gathered for a service of remembrance in Bessbrook.
That attack happened the day after the murders in the O'Dowd and Reavey homes.
Only one man survived the Kingsmill attack after the sole Catholic on the works’ minibus was ordered to leave the scene.
Those killed in the Kingsmill Massacre were: John Bryans, 50; Joseph Lemmon, 49; Robert Walker, 46; Robert Freeburn, 50; James McWhirter, 63; Reginald Chapman, 29; Kenneth Wharton, 24; Walter Chapman, 35; John McConville, 20 and Robert Chambers, 19.
Around 400 people packed into a community hall in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, for a service of remembrance for the victims of the Kingsmill atrocity.
The congregation was told the men's lives had been "cruelly taken" by the "terrible deeds" of that winter evening 50 years ago.
Families still looking for answers
All three sets of families continue to campaign for more information about the events of that terrible period.
The O'Dowd and Reavey families are awaiting the publication of a major report into the activities of the loyalist gang responsible for their loved ones' murders.
An interim report has already said that serving soldiers and RUC officers were members of what became known as the Glenanne Gang.
The Kingsmill families believe a proper investigation was not pursued in their case because an informer in the IRA gang responsible was being protected.
They have also called on the Irish government to release any information it may have in intelligence files on the identities of the killers.
