Sinn Féin to hold ardfheis on eve of 1916 Rising centenary

Sinn Féin is to hold its annual ardfheis on the eve of the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

A party spokesman confirmed the conference will take place on April 22nd and 23rd in the Convention Centre in Co Dublin.

The party was due to host its ardfheis in early February but it was postponed due to the impending election.

Televised address

The ardfheis will include a televised address by leader Gerry Adams via the national broadcaster, RTÉ.

April 24th marks 100 years since the first day of the Easter Rising.

The commemorations for the 1916 Rising began in last year and will continue until August this year.

However, the main event takes place on Easter Sunday outside the GPO and will begin with the reading of the 1916 Proclamation under the GPO portico by a Defence Forces officer.

Wreath laid

President Michael D Higgins will then lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a minute’s silence for all those who died.

The national flag above the GPO will be raised to full mast and the national anthem played. The parade, led by the Defence Forces in full military display, will begin at St Stephen’s Green, pass the GPO and continue to Parnell Square.

It will conclude with an Air Corps flypast and a 21-gun salute.

That evening there will be a State reception at Dublin Castle for 3,000 guests, at the Taoiseach’s invitation.