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Flag Raising Ceremony to mark the start of 2016 state ceremonial programme on January 1

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A rehearsal of the ceremony takes place at Dublin Castle

An event to mark the start of the State Ceremonial Programme in 2016 will take place in Dublin Castle this Friday, January 1st 2016.

The Ceremony, which will be attended by the President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, Tánaiste Joan Burton and Arts Minister Heather Humphreys, will comprise two key elements - the reading by the Defence Forces of the Roll of Honour of those volunteers who lost their lives during the 1916 Rising, followed by a Flag Raising Ceremony.

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This will involve the raising of the three flags which were flown on O'Connell Street in Easter 1916 - the Irish Citizens Army Flag which was flown from the Imperial Hotel on O'Connell Street; the Irish Republican Flag and the National Flag which were both flown from the GPO . The Ceremony will conclude with the playing of the National Anthem. Music will be provided by the Military Band and the RTÉ Cór na nÓg choir. Invited guests will include representatives of the State and relatives of those who lost their lives in the 1916 Rising.

The Ceremony which will last approximately 40 minutes will be held outdoors in the Upper Castle Yard and commences at 1:00 pm.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the event and should access the Castle via the Palace Street Gate and should be in place not later than 12:15 pm.