The President has laid a wreath at the grave of executed Easter Rising leaders, as part of the 101st annual commemoration.
The state ceremony took place in Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin this afternoon.
Following the execution of leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising at Kilmainham Jail – 14 of their bodies were taken here to Arbour Hill, and buried in an unmarked pit.
Today their grave is marked by a significant memorial – featuring the 1916 proclamation.
President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath at the site this afternoon, to remember the leaders buried here including Padraig Pearse, John McBride, James Connolly and Thomas McDonagh.
Speaking after the ceremony, Tanaiste Simon Harris said it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to host today’s event which was attended by Government officials, inter-faith representatives, the Defence Forces Chief and relatives of the Easter Rising leaders.
A guard of honour was formed by the 27th Infantry Battalion at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk.
Flag officers from the Army, Air Corps and Naval service were in attendance along with the Army band who played under sparkling blue skies.
Inside the Church of the Most Sacred Heart, a mass was held with interfaith representatives, to remember those who fought in 1916.
Afterwards, President Higgins laid a wreath at the grave of the executed 1916 leaders, commemorating all those who died.
This is the 101st State commemoration at Arbour Hill - with ceremonies beginning after the end of the Civil War in 1923.
