Prayers for recovery at ceremony for dead of 1916

CEREMONIAL RITUAL was combined with a prayer for the State’s future at the Government’s annual commemoration of the 1916 Rising at the GPO in Dublin yesterday.

About 2,000 people gathered in bright sunshine for the ceremony which was attended by President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Army chaplain Msgr Eoin Thynne, in the name of “the compassionate and merciful God”, recalled with affection those who fought and died for freedom.

He asked for God’s blessing on the men and women they were remembering before focusing on contemporary events.

Msgr Thynne said: “Guide our nation on the ways of justice, integrity and truth. Give us the strength to bear the fatigue and hardship of our present economic difficulties.

“Enlighten our hearts with the willingness to forgive those who have been contaminated by the virus of corruption, the selfishness and greed. Those whose pride and arrogance have inflicted misery and hardship on your people.”

Msgr Thynne prayed that Ireland would “rediscover the feelings of security, peace and inner comfort”.

He added: “Give us the courage to improve ourselves and to shape a society built on a solid foundation of ethics.”

Relatives of those who died in 1916 present, included Nora de hÓir, from Limerick, niece of Kathleen Clarke who was married to Thomas Clarke. Kathleen Clarke remained active in public life after her husband’s execution and was lord mayor of Dublin.

Ms de hÓir said she was pleased with the ceremony. “It is a lot better country than it was in 1916.”

The ceremony began with the lowering of the Tricolour over the GPO. The President arrived with a military motorcycle escort and laid a wreath.

A lament was played and the Proclamation was read by Capt Eoghan O’Sullivan.

The Tricolour was raised to full mast, a minute’s silence was observed and the Last Post was sounded. The ceremony concluded with an Air Corps flypast.

Among the attendance were former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and Minister for Defence Tony Killeen.

There, too, were Ceann Comhahile Séamus Kirk, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan, Minister of State for Education Seán Haughey, Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello, Richard Bruton TD and Jimmy Deenihan TD of Fine Gael, Joe Costello TD and Senator Alex White of Labour and SDLP MP Alastair McDonnell.

Army Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Dave Ashe was there, as was Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach Dermot McCarthy.