For the relatives of the 10 executed Volunteers, yesterday's burial was not just an historic occasion but an emotional one.
"We've been campaigning 60 years for this," said Ms Eileen O'Sullivan, from Dublin, a niece of Bernard Ryan. "I remember going yearly from the age of five to Mountjoy. Now, it has all been put right."
Ms May Moran, from Co Roscommon, a niece of Patrick Moran, described it as a proud moment for her family.
"We've 94 members of the family here today and that was after leaving a fair few at home," she said. "It's wonderfully appreciated. It was all very dignified and highly organised."
Like many relatives, she said her only regret was that it did not happen sooner. "I was thinking of my father and his brothers and sisters who did not have the chance to see this today," she said.
Ms Winnie Traynor, from north Dublin, a grand-daughter of Thomas Traynor, said more than 100 members of her family had attended, including relatives from the United States and Europe. After the ceremony at Glasnevin she laid a pair of wreaths on her grandfather's grave with the messages: "Free at last . . . be at peace."
"It was all very emotional," said Ms Traynor, "particularly at Mountjoy and seeing the people along the route, some of them crying. I saw one man - he must have being a surviving member of the old IRA because he had all the medals - and he saluted us as we passed. It was a wonderful experience.
"I realised also this was the only thing we could do for Thomas Traynor after he did so much for us. It's marvellous to see it happen," she said.
Mr Kevin Barry, a nephew of the Volunteer of the same name, complimented the Defence Forces and the Prison Service for the manner in which they carried out their ceremonial duties.
"It was very professional and dignified," he said.
He added the crowd disruptions outside the cemetery did not spoil the event for the relatives. "It would not bother me. There's nothing you can do to stop that."
Ms Pat Traynor-Sheridan from Malahide, a grand-niece of Thomas Traynor, admitted "we were nervous of disruptions, of people coming out in balaclavas. That was going to be a risk no matter how the ceremonies would be done."
She added, however, "this was by far the best way of doing it. We're delighted with how it worked out."
She said, for her, the only sour note was created by the "complaints" of some media commentators. "We were very hurt by some of the comments. We wouldn't be where we are today if it weren't for these men."
Referring to recent comments about the suitability of the reinterment by Irish Times columnist, Fintan O'Toole, Ms O'Sullivan said: "He should go back and learn his history. These guys laid the foundations of the State and we were very much hurt by his comments".
Criticism was also levelled at the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, for accusing the Taoiseach of "hijacking" the event by holding it on the same weekend at the Fianna Fβil Ard Fheis.
"The timing was not the Taoiseach's fault," said Ms O'Sullivan. "This was the date to which the relatives agreed."
Ms Sheridan concurred with this view, saying "It was nothing to do with the Taoiseach. The date was changed because the President was unavailable at the previous date."
She added: "This wasn't a time for political points scoring and he (Mr Quinn) should have been bigger than that."
Ms Raideen Buckley, a niece of Frank Flood, said it was a pity it took so long for the men to be buried on consecrated ground. Her father Alfie Flood, a deputy commissioner of the Garda S∅ochβna and the youngest of the Floods, died nearly four years ago and it would have meant a great deal to him to have seen it, she said.
Another of her uncles, Mr Peter Flood, a Marist brother known as Brother John, also died in recent years and he would have remembered the execution, Ms Buckley said. "He would have loved it to give them a Christian burial. It's a pity they are not here. It would have meant a lot to them".
She added: "What I thought was good is that they were not buried in quicklime. They were all buried in coffins, dressed and given a respectful burial at the time. That was nice to hear.
"For years my father would not talk about it, but I did go to Mountjoy as a child with him for the anniversary on March 14th a number of times."
Ms Moran added: "We are all very proud. We felt part of history today and I feel very proud personally for what my uncle did for the Labour movement, apart from anything else." Up to 700 relatives of the 10 Volunteers attended yesterday's ceremonies. At Mountjoy Prison, selected family members acted as pall bearers. At Glasnevin, the Tricolours which had lain on the coffins throughout the day were presented to the families. Many lingered to lay flowers on the graves or say private prayers.