Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising at Dublin's GPO

On April 5, 2026, a ceremony was held at the General Post Office (GPO) on O'Connell Street, Dublin, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The event, led by President Catherine Connolly, included a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and was attended by relatives of participants in the Rising, as well as dignitaries such as Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, and An Taoiseach Michael Martin. The ceremony featured a tri-service guard of honour from the Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps, and included music from the Army number-one band.

The Irish Times

The ceremony commenced shortly after 11 a.m. with a parade and musical performances. President Connolly, attending her first Easter commemoration as Uachtarán na hÉireann, received a warm welcome from the crowd. At noon, the Tricolour was lowered to half-mast as Capt Eva Houlihan read the Proclamation aloud, prompting applause from attendees. Following this, President Connolly laid a laurel wreath at the GPO portico and led a minute of silence, after which the national anthem was played, concluding with an Air Corps fly-past.

The Irish Times

Attendees expressed deep personal connections to the event. Farannán Tannam, whose father Capt Liam Tannam participated in the Rising, reflected on the sadness of not having had more conversations with his father about that pivotal time. Mary Llewelyn honored her grandfather, Denis Byrne, who fought at St Stephen’s Green, sharing that her grandparents met during the Rising. Breda O’Halloran, attending with her daughter Aoife, remembered her grandfather Edward Burke, who was stationed at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland during the conflict. Capt Jack Setright, who oversaw the cadet guard of honour, expressed pride in the event's execution and the training involved.

The Irish Times

The ceremony was described as "respectful," "very fitting," and "moving" by attendees, reflecting a collective pride in their familial connections to the Rising. Many expressed that the event struck a balance between solemnity and celebration, honoring the contributions of their ancestors without being overly extravagant.

The Irish Times

President Connolly emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during the Easter Rising, highlighting the event as a moment to reflect on Ireland's history and the ongoing significance of the Proclamation. The Defence Forces underscored their commitment to honoring the legacy of those who fought for Irish independence.

The Irish Times

• “It is a very proud day for the family,” — Capt Jack Setright

The Irish Times

• “We are very proud of him.” — Mary Llewelyn

The Irish Times

This commemorative event not only honored the historical significance of the 1916 Easter Rising but also served as a poignant reminder of the personal histories intertwined with Ireland's struggle for independence.

The Irish Times