Dublin Marks 110th Anniversary of Easter Rising

Relatives of the men and women who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising gathered at Dublin’s General Post Office (GPO) on Sunday, April 5, 2026, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the rebellion. The annual event, described by attendees as respectful, very fitting, and moving, focused on honoring the contributions of those who fought in the uprising.

The ceremony was overseen by President Catherine Connolly, marking her first Easter commemoration as Uachtarán na hÉireann. The event was led by the Defence Forces and featured the reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, the document that established the goals of the rebellion 110 years ago.

Ceremonial Proceedings at the GPO

The commemoration began shortly after 11:00 a.m. With music provided by the Army number-one band. A tri-service guard of honour, consisting of members from the Air Corps, Naval Service, and Army, marched on parade and took positions in front of the GPO.

The event saw the arrival of several high-ranking officials, including An Taoiseach Michael Martin, Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, and Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam. President Connolly’s arrival was met with applause and cheers from the gathered crowd.

At noon, as President Connolly joined An Taoiseach Martin, the Tricolour flying from the GPO was lowered to half-mast. Following a lament played by piper Corporal Enda McGrath, Captain Eva Houlihan stepped before the portico to read the Proclamation aloud to the assembly.

To facilitate the event, O’Connell Street was closed to both road and Luas traffic from the early morning. Despite the closures, several hundred pedestrians gathered on the footpath opposite the GPO to observe the proceedings.

Family Tributes and Legacy

The gathering served as a point of reflection for the descendants of the 1916 participants. Many relatives expressed pride in the actions of their ancestors, noting the historical significance of the small group of approximately 1,500 men and women who challenged the existing order to establish an Irish republic.

The event highlighted the enduring personal connection families maintain with the Rising. For some descendants, the annual commemoration remains a pivotal day for remembering the bravery of those who occupied the GPO and other sites during the rebellion, often without knowing if they would ever return home.

The 2026 commemorations occurred under shifting weather conditions, with the day beginning in spring sunshine and later transitioning to dark hail-clouds.