Ceremony in Dublin to mark 1916 rising

The President Mary McAleese and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have led a commemoration to mark the 91st anniversary of the 1916 …

The President Mary McAleese and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have led a commemoration to mark the 91st anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Dublin this afternoon.

Some 5000 people gathered in bright sunshine outside the GPO on O'Connell St to watch the ceremony

It began at noon with a short prayer and a piper's lament followed by a minute's silence.

President McAleese inspected a Guard of Honour made up of 350 members of the Defence Forces and laid a wreath in honour of those killed during the Easter Rising.

READ MORE

The event was significantly smaller than last year's 90th anniversary ceremony and lasted just 35 minutes.

It concluded with a flyover by military aircraft and helicopters.

Former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrove was amongst the dignitaries present while Fine Gael leader  Enda Kenny and Labour's Pat Rabbite were also in attendance.