Hundreds have turned out at the War Memorial Gardens in Dublin to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Wreaths were laid by members of the Government and military and diplomatic representatives from around the world, to remember those who lost their lives in the bloodiest battle of the First World War.
The battle, which lasted for more than 2 years, claimed the lives of almost 1 and a half million soldiers.
Minister for Arts and Heritage Heather Humphreys, says many war veterans from Ireland attended today's ceremony: