President Michael D Higgins leads tribute to 1916 leaders at annual State Commemoration
President
Michael D Higgins
has led the State's annual commemoration of the Easter Rising by laying a wreath to commemorate those who died
in 1916
at Arbour Hill, where many of the executed leaders were buried.
The commemoration at Arbour Hill is the longest-running State ceremony to commemorate the Rising.
This year marks the 101st holding of the ceremony, which began in 1923, shortly after the end of the
Civil War
.
The ceremony was also attended by Taoiseach
Micheál Martin
, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, and many members of the Cabinet.
READ MORE
The ceremony began with Requiem Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, which is situated on the site, as well as a ceremony at the grave of the 1916 Leaders.
The President laid a wreath to commemorate all who died in the Easter Rising.
Speaking after the event, Mr Harris said:
'Today marks over 100 years of this State Commemoration of the Arbour Hill Ceremony as we remember those who died for Ireland in 1916 and in particular, those 14 executed leaders of 1916 who are buried here at Arbour Hill.
'It is an honour and privilege for me, as Minister for Defence, to host this traditional commemorative event in the company of relatives of the executed leaders,' he said.
The ceremony was attended by over 400 people, including members of the Oireachtas; the Council of State; the Judiciary; religious leaders from all denominations; and relatives of the leaders and others who fought in 1916.
The 27th Infantry Battalion from Dundalk Barracks provided the guard of honour.
Among those in attendance was
Fr Paul Murphy
, the army chaplain who was stabbed by a teenage boy as he drove to the entrance of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks in Galway. The attacker, then aged 16, was recently sentenced to eight years detention after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of Fr Murphy.
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