Tens of thousands lined the streets of Dublin to mark the centenary of the Easter uprising of 1916. The parade on Sunday was one of many events to
ADVERTISEMENTTens of thousands lined the streets of Dublin to mark the centenary of the Easter uprising of 1916.
The parade on Sunday was one of many events to commemorate the rebellion which was a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history, starting it on course to independence from Britain five years later.
The events toured the main sites key to the uprising. President Michael Higgins laid a wreath at Kilmainham Gaol, where the rebels were held before being executed by firing squad.
The parade led by the Defence forces began at St Stephen’s Green before heading down O’Connell street where a member of the forces did a reading of the proclamation at the General Post Office.
Ireland marking centenary of 1916 Easter Rising that paved way to independence. This was the rebels' proclamation pic.twitter.com/7t0SXEwfdk
— Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) 27 de marzo de 2016
Google has created a virtual tour with archive material (and commentary from Colin Farrell) to commemorate the uprising.
The commemorations come at a time of political turmoil in the country. Prime Minister Enda Kenny oversaw the events in an acting capacity since his coalition government failed to secure re-election four weeks earlier.
Though 100 years may have passed, there are some who criticised the commemorations for celebrating Irish militant nationalism. The First Minister of Northern Ireland refused to attend, saying the Rising was used to justify IRA violence in the 1970s and 80s.