A military ceremony to commemorate the 1916 Rising has taken place on O'Connell Street in Dublin.

President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, and Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke all attended the event.

The ceremony marks 99 years since Padraic Pearse stood in front of the GPO and read the Proclamation of the Republic at the start of what would become known as the Easter Rising.

Speaking at the ceremony, members of the 1916 Relatives Association said they believed more members of the public had attended the event than in previous years, and that generally there seemed to be more interest in the occasion.

Tánaiste Joan Burton described the event as "incredibly moving" and said the ceremony allows for everyone to pause and reflect on the 1916 Rising.

She said she is hopeful she will attend the centenary next year as Tánaiste.

She said a date for the next general election had not been discussed and that the Government's focus was on a broad, inclusive celebration that looked forward to what Ireland does in the next 100 years.

President lays a wreath to remember those who died in 1916 pic.twitter.com/6B9IIOAMoW — Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) April 5, 2015