20.05.2025
Archbishop of Dublin Attends 1916 Commemoration
Archbishop Michael Jackson took part in the annual 1916 Commemoration Ceremony at Arbour Hill on Wednesday May 7. This is the longest–running State ceremony to commemorate the 1916 Rising and 2025 marked the 101st State Commemoration at Arbour Hill.
The commemoration at Arbour Hill began in 1923, shortly after the end of the Civil War, and the first State commemoration event took place in 1924. It takes place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, the church for the Defence Forces, at the site of burial of the executed leaders of 1916 on the first Wednesday on or after May 3 each year.
The commemoration was hosted by the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, and consisted of a Requiem Mass and a ceremony at the Grave for the 1916 Leaders. The President laid a wreath to commemorate those who died in 1916. In addition to the President, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, attendance at the ceremony included members of the government; members of the Oireachtas; the Council of State; the Judiciary; relatives of the leaders and relatives of others who fought in 1916 as well as interfaith leaders.
Speaking after the event, Archbishop Jackson said it was always a pleasure to be invited to attend.
“It is an occasion to which I look forward because it draws together descendants of those most intimately associated with Independence and those who today carry responsibility for government and security,” he commented. “The provision of music by a school annually and the inclusion of representatives of a wide range of Faiths together with a representative of The Humanist Association of Ireland is a delightful aspect of the inclusivity of this event.”
