Northern Ireland

Easter Rising: Ceremonies to mark 100th anniversary of executions

Padraig Pearse's grand nephew Padraig Pearse and environment minister Alan Kelly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire
Padraig Pearse's grand nephew Padraig Pearse and environment minister Alan Kelly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire Padraig Pearse's grand nephew Padraig Pearse and environment minister Alan Kelly. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire

The 100th anniversary of the executions of Thomas Clarke, Pádraig Pearse and Thomas MacDonagh has been marked in Dublin's Kilmainham Jail.

Individual ceremonies to commemorate the deaths of the 14 leaders of the 1916 Rising began yesterday and will be completed on May 12 at the Stonebreakers Yard.

They will take place on the centenary date of each execution and be attended by a government minister and relatives of each of the men.

Trial documents are being read, relating the charge against the accused men, the plea that was entered, the verdict of the court and the witness statements.

A member of the Capuchin Friars also delivered a reading from the memoirs of the individual friar who attended each of the men prior to their execution.

There was also a wreath laying service with a military colour party, wreath bearer and a piper's lament.

Minister for heritage Heather Humphreys said they are "deeply personal occasions for the relatives of those who were executed" 100 years ago.

Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins has formally renamed the East Link Toll Bridge in Dublin the Tom Clarke Bridge.

The president unveiled a plaque and laid a wreath at the bridge this morning in memory of the Dungannon man, the first signatory of the Proclamation.