Higgins leads 1916 commemoration

Michael D Higgins attended the National 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill in Dublin this morning for the first time since becoming President.

The President, an Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, former taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, and Chief Justice Susan Denham were the chief dignitaries at the annual commemoration, which culminated with President Higgins laying a wreath at the shrine to the leaders who were executed in the wake of the 1916 Rising.

Most members of the Cabinet were also present including Minister for Finance Michael Noonan; Minister for Justice Alan Shatter; Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald; Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar; Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte; and Minister for Jobs and Enterprise Richard Bruton.

Ceann Comhhairle Sean Barrett, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also attended the ceremonies, as did many TDs and senators drawn from all parties and from the independent benches.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and Army Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Sean McCann were the chief representatives of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Dublin mayor Andrew Montague also attended.

Mr Higgins and his wife, Sabine Coyne, arrived at the Church of the Sacred Heart at Arbour Hill shortly before 10am, and the President then inspected a captain’s guard of honour drawn from the Second Infantry Battalion at Cathal Brugha Barracks, handed over by Capt David Fitzpatrick from the Fifth Infantry Battalion at McKee Barracks.

Following the Mass, the 1916 commemoration ceremonies were conducted at on the plinth of the shrine in the gardens. There were multi-denominational readings at the altar.

Following the wreath-laying, a minutes silence was observed. The Last Post was played by the Army Number One Band, after which the national flag was raised to full mast. The Number One Band then played Reveille and the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann.