16 May 2012: Annual 1916 commemoration ceremony, Arbour Hill

 

President Michael D. Higgins, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter, TD, all attended the annual 1916 commemoration of the Easter Rising of 1916 at the Church of the Most Sacred Heart, Arbour Hill, Dublin, on Wednesday 16 May 2012. Solemn requiem mass was offered in the church at 10am for those killed on the republican side during the rising. This was followed by a procession from the church to the 1916 memorial.

 

 

The homily was preached by the Catholic bishop of Ferns, Most Reverend Denis Brennan. Following the memorial mass, the burial plot of the executed 1916 leaders was blessed in a brief prayer service conducted by the Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces, and attended by representatives of various faiths.

 

The Taoiseach invited Uachtarán na hÉireann to lay a wreath on behalf of the Irish people. The President then laid a wreath to commemorate those who died in 1916. A minutes silence was observed, followed by the sounding of the last post.

 

The ceremony concluded with a minutes silence, after which the National Colours were raised to full mast and the National Anthem was sounded. Following the ceremony Minister Shatter hosted a reception for invited guests, including relatives of the 1916 leaders.

 

In 1966 a memorial garden was prepared to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The memorial contains the burial plot where 14 of the executed leaders are buried, and is open every day from 09:00 – 16:00hrs.

 

Explore the National Museum of Ireland’s online exhibition on the Easter Rising. 

 

Explore the National Library of Ireland’s online exhibition on the Easter Rising: The 1916 Rising: Personalities & perspectives.

 

Browse History Ireland’s 2006 special issue, published on the ninetieth anniversary of the Easter Rising:

 

From BBC History: Fearghal McGarry on the Easter Rising. 

 

Explore the BBC’s online exhibition on the Easter Rising.