Thousands of members of Ireland's armed forces marched through Dublin on Sunday to mark 100 years since the Easter 1916 uprising launched the country on the road to independence from Britain five years later.

The rebellion has been described as a "triumph of failure" because, while the rebels surrendered and were executed after five days, their uprising galvanized the independence movement hastening the end of hundreds of years of British rule.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny oversaw the commemorations in an acting capacity after his coalition government failed to secure re-election on Feb 26, creating a political stalemate that has shown little sign of resolution.