Easter Rising commemorations take place across Ireland

Commemorations have taken place across the island of Ireland on the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising. The 1916 rebellion was an attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland and has been credited by many historians as paving the way towards an independent Irish republic. A wreath was laid by the Irish President Catherine Connolly at the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin. In Belfast thousands of people turned out for a parade in the west of the city. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin were among the dignitaries who attended the event in Dublin. More than 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces took part in the proceedings and the proclamation was read by Capt Eva Houlihan almost 110 years after it was read by Pádraig Pearse in the same location. The commemoration was also attended by Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Speaking at Arbour Hill Cemetery - the burial site of 14 leaders of the rising who were executed - McDonald said that as the 30th anniversary of The Good Friday Agreement a