Relatives of those who fought and died in the Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, today shared stories of the bloody sacrifice in the years after 1916.
In the Gresham Hotel on O'Connell Street, grandchildren, many of them elderly, shared stories of the Easter Rising and spoke of their honour at witnessing the state tribute.
Pat Cummins, the nephew of a War of Independence soldier, said he was delighted to live to see the military parade resurrected. The 85-year-old former Dublin Fianna Fail TD added: "Thank God I am alive to see today. It was a lovely occasion.
"It gives everybody an opportunity to appreciate the wonderful role that the Defence Forces carry out to preserve peace at home and abroad."
Others noted the pride and enthusiasm among the ordinary people on the streets.
Muriel McAuley, from Limerick, a granddaughter of Tomas McDonagh, spoke of her pride that their memory was publicly marked.
"It went very well, we are very proud and pleased to see it acknowledged," she said.
"It was stunning to see the memory of the Easter Rising. Along the route you could hear the enthusiasm ... people are becoming proud and not ashamed to be proud, that makes us proud."
The 66-year-old, who revealed Padraig Pearse was her mother's godfather, added: "It is nice for people not to be afraid to be patriotic because there are so many people afraid to be proud of the nation as a result of the Troubles."
The relatives also attended a dinner at Dublin Castle along with dignitaries and politicians to round off the day's events.
Robert Norton, whose grand uncle Peter Wilson was shot dead by a British sniper as he surrendered, recalled the parade of 1966 which he marched in. "I was very impressed and I remember the Easter parade of 1966, I marched in it myself."
Mr Wilson, who died aged 47, fought under 19-year-old commander Sean Heuston with about 20 others at the Mendicity Institution on the River Liffey.
Though they originally only intended to hold the building for several hours they kept British forces at bay for two days.
Heuston was executed by firing squad in Kilmainham Gaol.
PA