Higgins lays wreath at Easter Rising commemoration as SF leader addresses Co Tyrone service

President Michael D Higgins has laid a wreath during the annual commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin.

It marks the last time Mr Higgins will lead the event as the sitting president.

Mr Higgins laid a wreath to commemorate those who died in the Rising, for the 109th anniversary of the armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

Proceedings began before midday as a large crowd gathered on Dublin's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, as the parade began to form from 11am.

The national tricolour flag above the General Post Office (GPO) was lowered to half-mast at noon for the ceremony before a prayer service, the laying of the wreath by Mr Higgins and a minute's silence.

Defence Forces' personnel, including a brass band, a pipe band and representatives of the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service participated in the ceremony.

The GPO is the most famous location associated with the Rising having been designated the headquarters of the Provisional Government, and Sunday's commemoration also included a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic by Captain Conor Gibbins from Barna, Go Galway.

The proceedings ended with a return of the flag to full-mast, the national anthem and a flypast conducted by the Air Corps.

The event was also attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris and outgoing Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy.

First Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill, former Irish president Mary Robinson, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain and some members of Cabinet were also among attendees.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has reiterated a call for Irish unification as senior members of her party attended events to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising.

Ms McDonald addressed the annual commemoration in Carrickmore in Co Tyrone on Sunday.

She said: Ms McDonald said: "Here we stand for the day when we will commemorate our patriots in a United and free Ireland.

"So, let's work day and night to fulfil the dream of Connolly and Pearse, of Hurson and Farrell, of McGuinness and O'Hare."

She added: "Hold tightly to your hopes, to your beliefs, to your determination.

"Never, ever give up.

"We will see the rising of the moon.

"We will unite Ireland, we will build a society where workers and families come first, and together we will achieve the Republic of 1916."