Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Defence organises the main event which takes place every year on Easter Sunday. The event is open to everyone and takes place on O'Connell Street. Representatives attend from all political parties North and South. The annual event was initiated in 1996 and it has proven to be very successful since then. It is a dignified occasion. The families of the 1916 leaders attend and the event is run to a high standard. There is an event to commemorate the execution of the leaders as well. This is a Government event and this year it will be held on Wednesday, 8 May in Arbour Hill.

This year the focus will be on the Dublin Lock-out and the founding of the Irish Volunteers in November. We will follow this timeline but the event on Easter Sunday will ensure that 1916 is commemorated appropriately. Obviously, there will be other events throughout the country as well.

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