The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys, the Lord Mayors of Belfast and Dublin, the Ceann Chomhairle and the Speaker of the Northern Assembly were among those who attended the British Legion annual remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at the national war memorial at Islandbridge, Dublin.

British Armed forces veterans were joined by Irish United Nations veterans.

Addressing the gathering Christopher Long rejected the portrayal of World War One as a senseless conflict saying that thousands of young men from Ireland had joined up to prevent the domination of the European continent.

He said peace should be cherished particularly in our own country. He said those who have experienced war know the real cost although they often find it too painful to share their experience.

The President of the Royal British Legion in the Republic of Ireland, Major General The O'Morchoe, welcomed the presence, for the first time of Sinn Féin representatives at the legion's remembrance ceremony for Irishmen who died in World War One.

Three Sinn Féin representatives attended the ceremony and laid wreaths in their roles as Lord Mayors of Dublin and Belfast and as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Speaking after the ceremony the Major General said "I think it's absolutely wonderful that they too want to remember the Irish dead of World War One, and I know it's taken a long time for it to happen and indeed it took a long time for it to happen in Ireland but I think it's a right and proper thing for us to do"

The Sinn Féin representatives present were Lord Mayor of Dublin Críona Ní Dhálaigh, Lord Mayor of Belfast Arder Carson and Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Mitchell McLaughlin.