On Easter Sunday, April 9th, 2023, a ceremony was held outside the GPO in O’Connell Street, Dublin, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The ceremony was led by President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin as stated in a tweet by MerrionStreet – News from the Government of Ireland.
The ceremony began at 12 noon, with Defense Forces Personnel, including a brass band, a pipe band, and representatives of the Army, the Air Corps, and the Naval Service, taking part in the event. A fly-past by the Air Corps was scheduled to conclude the ceremony, weather permitting.
At the start of the ceremony, the National Flag on top of the GPO was lowered, and an Officer from the Defense Forces read the 1916 Proclamation. The President then laid a wreath to honor those who died during the Easter Rising. A minute of silence was observed in their memory.
Members of the public were invited to attend the ceremony and had to be in position in the public viewing areas outside the GPO by 11.30am. Viewing areas were located at the Clery’s side of O’Connell Street and at the south end of the G.P.O. An area was reserved for wheelchair users. Large video screens were also erected on either side of the GPO to display the ceremony to the public.
The 1916 Easter Rising was a significant event in Irish history that led to the establishment of the Irish Free State. The commemoration ceremony is held annually to remember those who fought and died for Irish independence. The ceremony is an opportunity for the Irish people to come together and pay tribute to their shared history and the sacrifices made by those who came before them.
