Thousands Turn Out In Dublin To Commemerate 1916 Rising

Women Who Fought Honored In Seperate Ceremony

An estimated five thousand people lined O'Connell Street in Dublin on Sunday to mark the 91st anniversary of the Easter Rising.

The ceremony, led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese was a low-key affair compared to last year's 90th anniversary celebrations that involved a parade of military regiments and the latest military hardware available to the Irish Defence Forces.

This year, there was no parade, but about 350 members of the Defence Forces stood guard outside the historic G.P.O. building as traditional honours were offered to the heroes of 1916.

A short prayer and the Proclamation were read just after midday and the Tricolour on top of the G.P.O. Building was lowered to half mast.

President McAleese laid a wreath before the traditional minute's silence was observed and the last post sounded.

The ceremony, which last just over half-an-hour was concluded with a low-level fly past by the Air Corps along the length of O'Connell Street.

President McAleese and the Taoiseach were joined by Defence Minister Willie O'Dea, former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte in the commemeration.

Relatives of those who fought and died in the Easter Rising also attended the ceremony and were then invited to a private gathering inside the G.P.O.

A Guard of Honour from the Cadet School of the Military College were positioned in front of the G.P.O. as President McAleese arrived in a motorcade which was escorted by motorbike outriders.

A 107-strong presidential Guard of Honour, drawn from the 62nd and 63rd Reserve Infantry Battalions and the 62nd Reserve Regiment of the Reserve Defence Forces, also lined O'Connell Street.

President McAleese inspected the troops then took her place at the head of of the gathered dignitaries in front of the building.

A brief prayer was offered by Army chaplain Right Reverend Monsignor Eoin Thynne and the Proclamation of Independence was read by Captain Therese O'Keeffe.

President McAleese then laid a wreath in front of the building to honour those who fought and died in the Easter Rising. The ceremony finished with a minute's silence after which the national anthem was played and the Tricolour returned to full mast.

The Air Corps then performed a fly past to mark the end of the official ceremony.

A Time Of "Great Opportunity"

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams M.P. told crowds at the Easter Commemoration in Dublin that he was "very proud" to be in Dublin "to remember the men and women of 1916 and of every generation since then who died in the fight for Irish freedom."

"I am glad that the state commemorated the Rising this morning. We have never stopped commemorating it.

Looking forward to the 100th anniversary, Mr. Adams said that he hoped to "see events taking place in towns and villages in every county in Ireland.

He emphasised that "this is a time of great hope in Ireland, of potential particularly on democratic and national objectives," but warned that, "the build up to 2016 should not only be about commemorating 1916.

"Citizens want to see the Irish government making real preparations for Irish unity. Sinn Fein's commitment is to ensure that this happens."

Women Honored By Community Groups

On Monday, the women who fought in the 1916 Rising were honoured in a parade from Liberty Hall to the G.P.O. organised by the Dublin North Inner City Folklore Project which concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony.