The Proclamation of Independence was read today on the steps of the GPO in Dublin as around 120,000 people turned out to mark the 90 thAnniversary of the 1916 Rising.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said he hoped parades would mark the Easter Rising each year until the centenary in ten years' time.
A short ceremony of remembrance at the GPO began when the tricolour was lowered to half-mast in honour of those who died on Easter week in 1916.
An Army piper, Cpl Kevin Duncan, played a lament Wrap the Green Flagas the flag was lowered and members of the Defence Forces stood to attention.
Captain Tom Ryan, of the sixth Infantry Battalion, re-enacted the reading of the Proclamation, after which a minute's silence was observed .
During the reading, the parade stood to attention along O'Connell Bridge and Westmoreland Street, having set off from Dublin Castle a short time before.
UN veterans proudly parade down Dublin's Westmoreland St.
The crowd cheered and applauded as the names of the signatories were read out.
The President, Mrs McAleese laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish people at the front of the GPO to honour those who died.
The Last Post was sounded and the tricolour was raised to mark the end of the short ceremony, which was attended by politicians, members of the judiciary and foreign dignatories.
Around 2,500 members of the army, navy and air corps, took part in what the Taoiseach said should be an inclusive commemoration of all those who died in the 1916 Rising.
Hundreds of invited guests, including relatives of those who fought in the rising and British Ambassador Stewart Eldon, reviewed the ceremony from a stand at the front of the GPO.
The Air Corp staged a flypass of the parade route as did three Army helicopters, and Navy aircraft.
The crowds warmly applauded Army veterans and UN veterans in their blue berets as they marched down the route.
Armoured vehicles on display
Armoured Personnel Carriers, 1.75-tonne artillery guns, Explosive Ordnance Disposal armoured vehicles, an Aardvark mine sweeper and several MOWAG tanks were on display. Vintage artillery guns, which were issued to the Defence Forces in 1949 and are currently used in the presidential 21-gun salute were also on display.
A float demonstrating the activities of UN peacekeepers also took part. Members of An Garda Siochana who have served as peacekeepers were represented and well-received.
The Army's Mounted Corp also took part, as did the massed Army bands including the Band of the Southern Brigade, Band of the 4th Western Brigade and the the Army Pipes and Drums, who brought the parade to a close.
A number of city streets were closed off to accommodate the parade, including O'Connell Street, Parnell Street, Cavendish Row, Saint Mary's Place and Great Western Way.