Return to tradition for 1916 event
‘It means so much to the families’
THE President and An Taoiseach gathered in Arbour Hill yesterday for the 1916 commemoration at the graves of the executed leaders of the Easter Rising.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence Simon Coveney was also at the service, as was Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.
The solemn event included a Reqiuem Mass, in addition to a ceremony at the gravesides in the cemetery in Stoneybatter, in Dublin’s north inner city.
President Higgins, who was accompanied by his wife Sabina, laid a wreath to commemorate those who died in the Rising. The wreath included a stament as gaeilge commemorating those who died for Irish freedom in 1916.
The President also inspected a military guard of honour as part of the ceremony.
Dublin Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland also attended alongside Cabinet ministers, Oireachtas members, the Council of State, the Judiciary and relatives of the leaders and relatives of others who fought in 1916.
In a statement, Mr Coveney welcomed a post-pandemic return to the traditional ceremony.
‘While a scaled-back commemorative event at Arbour Hill was arranged for the last two years while public health restrictions were in place, I am delighted to welcome a return to the traditional commemoration in the company of the relatives of the executed leaders. I know how much this event means to these families.’
Defence Forces members lowered their guns and bowed their heads as a mark of respect for the fallen heroes of a century ago.