People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

Stuart Dwyer, Deputy chief of Mission, US Embassy to Ireland and Katherine Zappone TD were at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

Katherine Zappone TD and Leo Varadkar, Minister for Social Protection were at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

Colm O'Gorman, executive director with Amnesty International attends a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express her solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

Olivia McEvoy of the National LGBT federation attends a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express her solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016

Eamon Farrell, brother of actor Colin Farrell attends a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express her solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016

Ian Packham conducts the LGBT choir Gloria at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016

Members of the LGBT choir Gloria sing at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

Leo Varadkar, Minister for Social Protection and singer Brian Kennedy at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square in June to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

People gather at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

THOUSANDS gathered in Dublin City Centre for a silent vigil in memory of those killed during the Orlando mass shooting.

The vigil, organised by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), took place on Dame Street, with many of those attending draped in the rainbow flag.

The memorial started with victims' names being read out, followed by a moment of silence. It was concluded with a rendition of 'Over the Rainbow' by Gloria, Dublin's LGBT choir.

Gunman Omar Mateen killed 49 men and women and injured 53 at Orlando gay venue Pulse early Sunday morning in the worst mass shooting in American history.

Expand Close Leo Varadkar, Minister for Social Protection and singer Brian Kennedy at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square in June to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Leo Varadkar, Minister for Social Protection and singer Brian Kennedy at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square in June to express their solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin

A number of politicians attended the solemn event, including Children and Youth Affairs Minister Katherine Zappone, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar, Housing Minister Simon Coveney and TD Mary Lou McDonald. Speaking to Independent.ie after the ceremony, Minister Varadkar said it's important that events in Florida don't put people off celebrating LGBT Pride.

"It's exactly what terrorists or people who are homophobic want. They want to frighten us. We can't allow them to do that," he said.

Expand Close Ian Packham conducts the LGBT choir Gloria at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ian Packham conducts the LGBT choir Gloria at a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016

"Pride last year was a celebration of the referendum result. This year's has to be a celebration, but also a parade of solidarity with those in Florida and defiance against those who would seek to use violence, terrorism and hatred to force people to change the way they live their lives."

The vigil sends an important message to the people affected by Sunday's massacre that we are standing alongside them, according to GLEN Director Brien Sheehan.

Expand Close Olivia McEvoy of the National LGBT federation attends a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express her solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Olivia McEvoy of the National LGBT federation attends a Rainbow Vigil at Barnado's Square to express her solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the Orlando shooting tragedy. Photo: Tony Gavin 13/6/2016

"Thousands of Irish people are clearly using us this evening to send a message of solidarity. To say that our hearts are broken too," he said.

"Now is a moment where we can clearly say 'no more'."

Among those attending the vigil was Emma Murphy, who said she came down to show how sickened she was while reading about the Sunday morning massacre.

"It is senseless to imagine that members of a community happy, dancing, socialising and enjoying a night out can be gunned down.

"I feel hurt and angry but not threatened and the strength of the numbers show the determination and solidarity of the LGBT community in Ireland and of our unity with the LGBT community globally."

Tallaght native Eoin Hendrix showed up to show solidarity and support for the families and friends of those who were killed and injured.

"Acts of hatred like these just hit home how much there is a need for Pride and the Pride movement," he said.

The fear or the threats that people feel should fuel us coming together and show the world that these actions are not okay and we won't let hatred defeat us or tear us apart."

Vigils in Cork, Galway and Limerick will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday.In Galway, a candle-lit vigil will take place in Eyre Square. Cork's event will be held at Daunt Square, while people in Limerick can pay tribute at Arthur's Quay Park.

Online Editors