British and French diplomats have joined Minister for Heritage Heather Humphreys in laying wreaths at Easter commemoration ceremonies in Glasnevin Cemetery.
The ceremonies at Glasnevin on the 99th anniversary of the Easter Rising began a nationwide day of remembrance. The centre piece of the events at Glasnevin was the raising of the tricolour by members of the Irish Defence forces and the playing of the national anthem by a lone piper in the main courtyard of Glasnevin Cemetery.
The Easter Sunday ceremony was also in honour of the creators of the Tricolour, Edward Hollywood (1814-1873), and National Anthem composer, Peadar Kearney (1883-1942).
A lone piper’s lament which was followed by the signing of Amhrán na bhFiann by a relative of Peader Kearney, Dualta O’ Broinn.
At the Sigerson Monument Ms Humphreys laid a green, laurel wreath in memory of all who served in Easter Week 1916. She was followed by the British Ambassador to Ireland Dominick Chilcott who laid a green wreath with white flowers, also in memory of all those who served in Easter Week 1916.
The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a minute’s silence, a piper’s lament, the last post, the raising of the tricolour, reville, and the National Anthem.
A colour party from the Defence Forces then led the way to the grave of Edward Holywood where Frédéric Rauser, cultural and scientific counsellor at the French Embassy laid a floral arrangement of red, white and blue flowers.
For the Defence Forces Col Brendan McAndrews laid a wreath in green, white and orange. This was followed by a similar ceremony at the grave of Peadar Kearney where green wreaths featuring white flowers were laid by Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Keraney family members. Dualta Ó Broin, a great grandson of Peadar Kearney, then sang the national anthem
Also in attendance was British military attaché to Ireland, Col Seán English and Glasnevin Trust chairman John Green. Mr Green said it was “important that we remember the young men and women who gave their lives to this country. It’s remembrance days like these at Glasnevin Cemetery, where so many heroes of Easter week are buried, that give us a chance to reflect our past while moving towards our future.”
“ It’s our privilege today to honour both those who gave their lives in the Rising and to those who contributed in different ways like Peader Kearney and Edward Hollywood,” he said.
