PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the State commemoration yesterday for Irish people who died in past wars and on service with the United Nations.
At the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham yesterday, Mrs McAleese laid a wreath at a commemorative plaque at the request of the Taoiseach.
The ceremony in the quadrangle of the Royal Hospital was attended by several hundred people, including retired military personnel from the Irish and British armies, and relatives of those who died in past wars and in the 1916 Rising.
The commemoration began with separate formal military receptions for the President and for the Taoiseach by guards of honour from the Defence Forces.
Representatives of seven religions took part in the multidenominational prayer service that followed. The President then laid the wreath to the fallen on behalf of the people of Ireland. A minute's silence was observed and the Last Postwas sounded by trumpeters.
The ceremony concluded with the national flag being raised to full mast and the national anthem being performed by tenor Emmanuel Lawler and the Army No 1 Band and Band of the First Southern Brigade. During Amhrán na bhFiann, there was a flyover of the quadrangle by the Air Corps.
Lawler and the military band performed several other musical interludes during the ceremony, including the Nella Fantasiaaria by Ennio Morricone.
Members of Government and the Council of State, diplomats, judges and members of ex-servicemen’s organisations were in attendance.
In his address, the Taoiseach said: “It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.”
Former taoisigh Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds were in attendance, as were the Chief Justice John Murray and the President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns.
Oireachtas members attending included Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, Minister for Community Affairs Pat Carey, Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, Minister for Health Mary Harney, Government Chief Whip John Curran, Ministers of State Dara Calleary, Martin Mansergh, Áine Brady and Dick Roche, Attorney General Paul Gallagher and Seanad Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny attended and Joe Costello represented the Labour Party. Foreign diplomats included the British ambassador to Ireland Julian King.
Alliance Party leader and Northern Minister for Justice David Ford attended the ceremony as did the writer and former hostage Brian Keenan.
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt General Seán McCann was present, as were Deputy Chief of Staff (support) Maj Gen Dave Ashe, and Assistant Chief of Staff (support) Brig Gen Michael Finn; and the General Officer Commanding the Second Eastern Brigade, Brig Gen Denis Murphy.
