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Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith have been remembered at their annual commemoration at Glasnevin Cemetery.<\/p>\nMichael Collins and Arthur Griffith have been remembered at their annual commemoration at Glasnevin Cemetery.<\/p>\n
The 97th annual commemoration was led by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, chairman of the Collins\/Griffith Commemoration Society William Lavelle, and chairman of the Glasnevin Trust John Green.<\/p>\n
One of the oldest commemorations in the State saw the raising of the national flag at the Sigerson Monument by the Defense Forces, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of General Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and Eamonn Duggan.<\/p>\n
The annual oration at Collins\u2019s graveside was given by author and journalist Justine McCarthy.<\/p>\n
The ceremony also heard a reading of the Declaration of Independence of the First D\u00e1il from John Stanton, and the Democratic Program of First D\u00e1il by Seamus Scally, both of the Collins\/Griffith Commemoration Society.<\/p>\n
The prayers at the graveside, which dates back to 1923, was led by Geraldine Dalton.<\/p>\n
Ms Madigan said it was important to continue to remember the contributions made by Collins and Griffith on the path to independence.<\/p>\n
\u201c2019 marks the centenary of the foundation of D\u00e1il Eireann, one of the most significant events in the Decade of Centenaries,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
“We recall the immense contribution that both men made as members of the D\u00e1il and the cabinet.”<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s commemoration provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon that contribution to our enduring parliamentary tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the wreath-laying ceremony and readings, a minute\u2019s silence was held, followed by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille.<\/p>\n
The Defense Forces also participated in the commemoration ceremony, with the Sliabh na mBan armoured car on display.<\/p>\n
The Sliabh na mBan formed part of Collins\u2019s convoy which was ambushed on August 22, 1922, at Beal na mBlath in West Cork, resulting in his death.<\/p>\n