www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
| 9
100 troops from various Units of the Army, Air Corps and
Navy convened onto O'Connell Street and halted outside the
GPO for this years Easter Sunday ceremony. The ceremony
marked the 102nd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The
ceremony began with Capt. Seán McCarthy of the Air Corps
reading the 1916 proclamation under the GPO portico.
After the reading of the Proclamation, distinguished
guests arrived on parade such as the Lord Mayor of Dublin
Mícheál MacDonncha, the Minister with responsibility for
Defence Paul Kehoe TD, followed the Taoiseach and Min-
ister for Defence Leo Vardkar TD, all receiving salutes from
the GoH (Guard of Honour).
The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins then arrived
on parade to a salute by the 100 person GoH and then
proceeded to inspect the GoH. After the inspection the
President then laid a wreath on behalf of the people of
Ireland, followed by a minutes silence for all those who died
in pursuit of Irelands independence.
The National Flag on top of the GPO was then raised to
full mast and the National Anthem was played, during
the Anthem the Goh gave a salute and the Air Corps con-
ducted a 3 plane PC-9 fly past, that signified the ending of
the ceremony.
The Easter Sunday Parade then followed and was led by
the Irish Defence Forces starting at St. Stephen's Green and
ending at DIT Bolton Street.
By Sgt KARL ByRnE PhotoS By CPL nEvILLE CoughLAn
