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Easter Rising: Centenary parade taking place in Dublin Easter Rising: Centenary parade taking place in Dublin
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of people are gathering in Dublin where a parade is taking place to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Hundreds of thousands of people have lined the streets of Dublin where a military parade is marking the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
The parade is the culmination of a series of centenary commemoration events in the Republic of Ireland.The parade is the culmination of a series of centenary commemoration events in the Republic of Ireland.
The 1916 rebellion was an attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland.The 1916 rebellion was an attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland.
Irish President Michael D Higgins has laid a wreath at Kilmainham Gaol, where 14 of the Rising's leaders were executed by British troops. Irish President Michael D Higgins led the ceremony as the Irish tricolour was lowered at the General Post Office (GPO) - once the rebels' headquarters.
Acting Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny also took part in the ceremony, with Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness among the senior politicians attending the event. Follow the ceremony live on BBC News NI
A piper played a lament in tribute to those who lost their lives, before a military band played The Last Post and the Irish national anthem, as the Irish tricolour was raised. The 1916 Proclamation was then read out by an officer from the Irish defence forces, in a re-enactment of the declaration of independence the rebels made outside the GOP on 24 April 1916.
Earlier, the president laid a wreath at Kilmainham Gaol, where 14 of the 16 leaders of the Easter Rising were executed.
Acting Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny is also playing a leading role in the commemorations and said it was "important that we bear witness this centenary year to all those who gave their lives during Easter 1916".
A number of former Irish presidents and prime ministers are in attendance, alongside Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
The Easter Rising was quelled within six days by British troops, but despite its failure it is seen as a significant stepping stone to the eventual creation of the Republic of Ireland and the partition of Ireland.The Easter Rising was quelled within six days by British troops, but despite its failure it is seen as a significant stepping stone to the eventual creation of the Republic of Ireland and the partition of Ireland.
Over 450 people were killed and 2,500 injured during six days of fighting.Over 450 people were killed and 2,500 injured during six days of fighting.
Fourteen rebel leaders were executed by firing squad in the stonebreakers' yard at Kilmainham Gaol in the aftermath of the Rising. In the aftermath of their surrender, 14 rebel leaders were executed by firing squad in the stonebreakers' yard at Kilmainham Gaol in the aftermath of the Rising.
Two other rebel leaders were executed elsewhere - Thomas Kent was shot dead by firing squad in Cork and Roger Casement was hanged at Pentonville Gaol in London. Two other rebel leaders were executed elsewhere - Thomas Kent was shot dead by firing squad in Cork and Roger Casement was hanged at Pentonville Gaol in London
On Sunday morning, a piper played a lament in tribute to those who lost their lives, before a military band played The Last Post and the Irish national anthem, as the Irish tricolour was raised.
The military parade following the wreath-laying ceremonies is the largest ever staged in the Republic of Ireland.The military parade following the wreath-laying ceremonies is the largest ever staged in the Republic of Ireland.
More than 3,600 personnel from the Irish Army, Air Corps and Naval Service will take part in the procession through the capital city, along with some members of the emergency services.More than 3,600 personnel from the Irish Army, Air Corps and Naval Service will take part in the procession through the capital city, along with some members of the emergency services.
From the scene - BBC's Ireland correspondent, Chris Buckler:From the scene - BBC's Ireland correspondent, Chris Buckler:
A century after Dublin's O'Connell Street was at the centre of conflict, it is the focal point for commemorations.A century after Dublin's O'Connell Street was at the centre of conflict, it is the focal point for commemorations.
The General Post Office (GPO) - that 100 years ago was the rebel's military headquarters - is already surrounded by cameras and seating banks.The General Post Office (GPO) - that 100 years ago was the rebel's military headquarters - is already surrounded by cameras and seating banks.
The whole road has been closed off to form an arena for Sunday's main ceremony that will be broadcast around the world.The whole road has been closed off to form an arena for Sunday's main ceremony that will be broadcast around the world.
Here, when the commemorative parade arrives, there will be a reading of the Proclamation, the document that Pádraig Pearse used to declare a rebellion on Easter Monday 1916.Here, when the commemorative parade arrives, there will be a reading of the Proclamation, the document that Pádraig Pearse used to declare a rebellion on Easter Monday 1916.
A huge amount of preparation has been needed just to accommodate the sheer numbers who are expected to fill Dublin's streets.A huge amount of preparation has been needed just to accommodate the sheer numbers who are expected to fill Dublin's streets.
There have been many rehearsals to ensure that events at the GPO go smoothly in front of invited guests, politicians and relatives of those who took part in the rebellion.There have been many rehearsals to ensure that events at the GPO go smoothly in front of invited guests, politicians and relatives of those who took part in the rebellion.
What is notable is who will not be at event.What is notable is who will not be at event.
Northern Ireland's unionist First Minister Arlene Foster and even the leader of its cross-community Alliance Party, David Ford, both made clear they were not prepared to attend the Easter Sunday parade.Northern Ireland's unionist First Minister Arlene Foster and even the leader of its cross-community Alliance Party, David Ford, both made clear they were not prepared to attend the Easter Sunday parade.
That is a sign of the sensitivities that still exist over a six-day battle that left British soldiers, civilians and Irish volunteers dead.That is a sign of the sensitivities that still exist over a six-day battle that left British soldiers, civilians and Irish volunteers dead.
However the British government has made a point of stating that it recognises the importance of the Rising to people throughout Ireland.However the British government has made a point of stating that it recognises the importance of the Rising to people throughout Ireland.
And the UK's Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has praised efforts by the Irish government to make these centenary events inclusive.And the UK's Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has praised efforts by the Irish government to make these centenary events inclusive.
Wreaths were also laid at the Sigerson Monument, which is dedicated to all those who died during the Rising, and the graves of Edward Hollywood and Peader Kearney.Wreaths were also laid at the Sigerson Monument, which is dedicated to all those who died during the Rising, and the graves of Edward Hollywood and Peader Kearney.
Edward Hollywood weaved the first Irish tricolour flag in 1848 and Peader Kearney wrote the words to the Irish national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier's Song).Edward Hollywood weaved the first Irish tricolour flag in 1848 and Peader Kearney wrote the words to the Irish national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier's Song).
The parade started at 10:30 local time, with up to 250,000 people expected to line the 2.7 mile route through Dublin city centre.The parade started at 10:30 local time, with up to 250,000 people expected to line the 2.7 mile route through Dublin city centre.
At 12:00, the parade will pause at Dublin's General Post Office (GPO) for a commemoration ceremony.At 12:00, the parade will pause at Dublin's General Post Office (GPO) for a commemoration ceremony.
The GPO was one of the key locations of the Rising and the headquarters of its leaders.The GPO was one of the key locations of the Rising and the headquarters of its leaders.
The 1916 proclamation will be read out by an officer from the Irish defence forces and the president will lay another wreath.