Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has laid a wreath in memory of more than 100 British soldiers killed trying to suppress the Easter Rising.
.@CharlieFlanagan closes #Ireland2016 ceremony "Respect for multiple narratives is at heart of Commemorative prog" pic.twitter.com/VsNtrOA4Dn
— Ireland 2016 (@ireland2016) May 26, 2016
A lone protester at the State ceremony in Dublin’s Grangegorman Military Cemetery was arrested for briefly disrupting the service.
The man in his mid-40s began shouting “this is an insult” at the start of the invite-only event at around midday and was quickly detained on suspected public order offences.
As many as 125 soldiers of the British Armed Forces died during the 1916 rebellion against British rule a century ago this year.
They came from across Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and further afield.
The ceremony commemorating their deaths is one of a number organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the insurrection, which ultimately led to the creation of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
British Ambassador to Dublin Dominick Chilcott also laid a wreath on behalf of the British government.
Defence Forces personnel taking part in commemorative events in Grangegorman #Ireland2016 pic.twitter.com/qE3Gm70CEl
— Irish Defence Forces (@defenceforces) May 26, 2016
Relatives of the British soldiers who died were also in attendance.
Minister Flanagan said the service was about recognising the many different narratives and experiences in one of the most defining episodes of recent Irish history.
'Reconciliation is at the heart of how we approach this Decade of Centenaries' @CharlieFlanagan pic.twitter.com/70rUCDOgBr
— IrishForeignMinistry (@dfatirl) May 26, 2016
“Like those that died a hundred years ago, those of us participating in today’s event are a diverse group of individuals, with different backgrounds, beliefs and aspirations,” he said.
“Such differences do not divide us and need not hinder us from coming together to reflect upon the moments that have shaped our islands’ history.
“In the century since the events of 1916 we have learned, through painful experience, the importance of mutual respect for the different traditions and multiple narratives across these islands.”
Members of both the Irish Defence Forces and the British Armed Forces participated in the ceremony.
