President Michael D Higgins after he lays the wreath at the event in the Gardens of Remembrance to commemorate the 48 people who died in the Stardust nightclub fire on Valentine's night in 1981. Rolling News
The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, led a commemoration dedicated to the victims of the Stardust nightclub fire at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance on Sunday.
Sunday's commemoration was co-designed by the families of the 48 victims and honored the victims, survivors, and all those affected by the fire.
President Higgins was joined by Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste, and other members of the Irish Government for Sunday's commemoration.
Higgins laid a wreath during the service, which he described as a "very important" day for those affected by the fire.
"I was pleased to have the honor of laying a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland at today’s Ceremony of Commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance on what was a very important day for the relatives of the victims, for the survivors and for all those affected by the Stardust Fire," Higgins said in a statement.
"I look forward to welcoming the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured in the fire to Áras an Uachtaráin in the autumn."
Taoiseach Simon Harris told those gathered at the Garden of Remembrance that Sunday's commemoration was a display of "love and fidelity".
"While this ceremony is one of solemn reflection, it is also a testament to love and fidelity. You can be very proud of this commemoration ceremony that is designed to honor those people you loved and lost in the most awful of circumstances," Harris said on Sunday.
"You can be proud that their names will never be forgotten because of you. And you can be proud that due to your perseverance, resilience and above all, love, that we, as a nation and a State finally, publicly, commemorate them with you today."
Harris credited the families of victims for fighting for justice for their loved ones over the past 43 years, leading to the Stardust inquiries and an official State apology in April.
RTÉ reports that terms of the State's redress scheme have now been circulated to the families.
Christy Moore, Mary Byrne, Zoe Conway, Kevin Rowsome, Eddie Sherlock, the North Dublin Gospel Community Choir, the Artane Band, and the Dublin Fire Brigade Band provided musical performances during Sunday's event.
Irish author Roddy Doyle also read out a piece he composed specially for the event called "Names", while Fr. Joe Jones read out a prayer.
The names of all 48 people who lost their lives in the fire were also read aloud during the service.