Organisational complaints fail to dampen enthusiasm of spectators

Public reaction: The Easter Sunday ceremony and parade drew an enthusiastic response from those who attended yesterday, although…

Public reaction: The Easter Sunday ceremony and parade drew an enthusiastic response from those who attended yesterday, although there was criticism of some organisational aspects.

Restricted views, bad sound and heavy littering were just some of the complaints aired to The Irish Times after yesterday's events, but most people said they enjoyed the event nonetheless.

"A bit slow to start, but excellent once it got under way" was the verdict of Sheila McGlynn from Dublin. However, the building works on O'Connell Street were a disgrace, she said, while the sealing of rubbish bins for security reasons created piles of litter.

"It was a great day, one that we've been waiting for years to see," said Anne Sawey, who travelled from Newcastle, Co Down, for the event. However, she said she didn't see all that much of the parade because of the security barriers erected along O'Connell Street. "I understand the need for them but it's a pity the ordinary Joe Soap wasn't catered for."

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While there was at least one large video screen, it wasn't visible from Ms Sawey's viewpoint. "You'd think in this day and age they'd have a few large screens along the route." She particularly liked the fly-past, commenting: "At least I could see that".

Steve Adams, from Hampshire, who was on a weekend break in Dublin, pronounced the parade "superb" and also said he liked the fly-past the most. The three Redmond sisters from Dublin also praised the parade.

"Why shouldn't we celebrate our Army, when every other country does?" one of them said. "Mind you, I didn't realise we had so many soldiers. You'd wonder is there anyone minding the country."

Caroline Pearson, from Connecticut, thought the parade was a great tribute to the Irish and was impressed by the aerial display.

"We read about the riots and I was a little concerned about coming but when I saw all the checkpoints I felt better," she said.

Georgina Clarke, from Cabra, at the parade with her grandchildren, said she enjoyed it but was sorry that the hoardings on O'Connell Street spoiled the view. "It was a fabulous display, they used to have this every Easter, it was very good."

Tommy Ó Céileacháin, from Kinsealy, came to see the parade with his family. "It was very good, but I was disappointed that there were no Easter lily pins for sale."

Greystones resident Harry Acheson enjoyed the parade and was pleased to see "how taxpayers' money is being spent". His son Gary, home from San Francisco, said that the event had proved it was possible to have a peaceful day on O'Connell Street.