A reference to the executions of 1916 leaders and a photograph of IRA volunteers were removed from a leaflet launching the Government's programme of centenary events last November.

The leaflet and 'Ireland Inspires' video were criticised for not having any direct reference to the Rising but including the Queen of England and Bob Geldof.

Documents released by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht under the Freedom of Information Act show that alterations were made after final approval was sought from Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys.

Deleted from the list of events was a reference to ceremonies by the Defence Forces marking the 100th anniversary of the executions of the leaders between May and August next year.

Also removed was a photograph of a IRA volunteers from a Co Galway flying column. A photograph of ruined buildings on O'Connell St was used instead.

According to email correspondence the 'final brochure' containing the reference to executions and the photograph of IRA men was sent to a department official on 7 November by the director of 2016 Programme John Concannon.

Mr Concannon states "following approval (and any amends) by the Minister this will be going to print later this afternoon".

But following the changes the "final, final brochure" was not sent to the printers until the following day.

A department spokesman said in a statement: "It would be normal practice, in preparing printed material for a launch of this nature, for a range of images to be considered before deciding on the final versions for publication.

"This is what happened in this case and the images included in the final design were chosen to represent the broad themes of the programme".

The spokesperson added that the progamme of events will include the ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the executions.

The photograph of the Co Galway flying column is undated but is thought to be from the War of Independence. Mark Killilea, the man identified as No 10, later became a local TD.