7,000 attend 1916 event in Dublin

Some 7,000 spectators turned out to watch a ceremony marking the 91st anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising outside the GPO in Dublin yesterday.

The hour-long event, which took place in brilliant sunshine, was led by President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Vincent Jackson.

Also in attendance were members of the Cabinet, as well as the Ceann Comhairle, Rory O'Hanlon, Opposition leaders Enda Kenny, Pat Rabbitte and Trevor Sargent and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.

This year's "static" march, involving 350 Defence Forces personnel, was on a significantly smaller scale than last year's commemoration, but was warmly welcomed by relatives of those who took part in the Rising and a multicultural crowd.

In a simpler, pared-down ceremony, there were no viewing galleries or security officers in front of the GPO.

Only the historic facade and cadets formed the backdrop for the reading of the Proclamation, delivered for the first time by a woman, Capt Therese O'Keeffe, from 1st Southern Brigade, followed by the laying of a wreath by the President.

After the lowering of the National Flag over the GPO at noon, the Army chaplain, Mgr Eoin Thynne, led a prayer of remembrance.

A lament, played by piper Pte Anthony Kelly, was followed by the laying of the wreath and a minute's silence.

The Last Post was sounded as the National Flag was raised to full mast, to a burst of applause.

The ceremonies concluded with Amhrán na bhFiannand a flypast by four Air Corps PC-9 planes, followed by three helicopters.