In Ireland, the religious significance of Easter is widely celebrated and Catholic tradition is more strictly adhered to than in some other countries. Irish Easter tradition stems from the Christian view of Easter as the time of Christ's Resurrection. As with most predominantly Catholic countries this period begins with the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, known as Lent. This time begins with Ash Wednesday, when the faithful are anointed with ashes and during Lent people are required to give something up as an act of penance. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, when palm leaves are hung to mark Christ's entrance into Jerusalem and the Friday before is Good Friday.
On Good Friday, the day Christ died, you'll find everywhere is closed in Ireland. The day is a Bank Holiday, the banks, schools, businesses and even the pubs are all closed! People don't eat meat on Good Friday and traditionally people in Ireland would go barefoot on this day. Many ate nothing until midday, no wood was to be burned, no nails were driven and no animals were slaughtered on this day.
But come Easter Sunday, everyone is out celebrating, Christ is risen, Lent is over and the pubs are open! Many towns and villages hold processions of some sort, while out in the countryside, Easter Sunday is usually a high point of the social calendar with events such as fairs and horse races packing out the pubs. And as the following Monday is also a Bank Holiday, you don't have to worry about work in the morning.
Easter has another significance in Ireland......the anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916, a very significant event in the shaping of recent Irish history, and which eventually led to Independence for the Republic.
Although Easter Monday in 1916 was on 24th April, the Rising is traditionally commemorated at Easter.
President Mary McAleese lays a wreath in front of the GPO in memory of those who died.
The Declaration of independence was read on the steps of the GPO just as it was 94 years ago. 
The Flag flying from the GPO:
