During the state's first official commemoration for Irish soldiers killed during the first world war, the President laid a wreath during a ceremony at the National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin. The event was attended by 800 guests, including the ambassadors of eight countries involved in the war, together with representatives of the Democratic Unionist Party, the SDLP and Sinn Fein.

Ireland was also represented for the first time at a commemorative event at the Somme, where minister for education Mary Hanafin paid tribute to Ireland's war dead, saying that Irish people now had a greater understanding of our shared history with Britain.

"This is a mark of the transformed relationship between north and south and between Ireland and Britain", she said. "In Ireland today, we can look at all aspects of our history with maturity.

There is a far greater understanding of our shared history. This can help us build new relationships and friendships and a shared future based on peace and mutual respect."

The government this year decided to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme for the first time. It is believed that over 3,500 Irish soldiers from all provinces died during one of the bloodiest battles of the first world war. Over 58,000 British soldiers were killed on the first day of the battle . . . July 1, 1916 . . .

making it the worst day in the history of the British army.

The Battle of the Somme lasted four months and cost the lives of over one million men. Despite the huge loss of life, the Allied forces managed to move just 12 kilometres towards German lines before heavy snow forced an end to the fighting.

The eight ambassadors at yesterday's ceremony in Dublin represented the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, New Zealand and South Africa. Each ambassador laid wreaths to mark those who died during the battle.

Members of the Royal British Legion laid down four books containing the names of all the Irish soldiers believed to have been killed during the fighting. The number of books was to represent the four provinces of Ireland, all of whom gave men to the war.

Neither the President nor the Taoiseach made speeches at the Dublin event. The ceremony, which included full military honours of all those who fought and died during the battle, lasted 20 minutes.

Among the guests at the event were veterans from organisations such as the Naval Association, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association and the American Legion.

Nigel Hamilton, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, also laid a wreath during the ceremony.

Speaking afterwards, SDLP leader Mark Durkan welcomed the Irish government's decision to mark the anniversary of the battle, saying it underlined "a shared history in Ireland that has been for too long overlooked and underappreciated." He said it was important to recognise the contribution of people from both traditions during the first world war.

"This is very much a shared commemoration, reflecting the shared sacrifice made by so many Irish people at the Battle of the Somme, " he said. "At last we are all respecting the memory and honouring the sacrifice of so many Irish of both traditions and from all over Ireland who for so long were dishonoured and disrespected."

Speaking at the ceremony at the Somme, the Duke of Gloucester said that commemorations of events such as the Battle of the Somme act as "reminders of the horrors of war and the benefits of peace."

More than 50,000 Irish soldiers died during the first world war, 3,500 of whom fell during the Battle of the Somme.

Events at the Somme became an integral part of Unionist history, although the soldiers who died came from all corners of Ireland.