A PAIR OF Irish wolfhounds, a couple of armed Irish Volunteers and an inter-county GAA duo.

It all made for an unusual line-up for photographers in Croke Park this morning.

Clare hurler Tony Kelly and Kildare footballer Niall Kelly were joined by the eclectic mix of characters as part of the launch for the GAA’s national 1916 commemorative event which takes place on Sunday 24 April.

In the aftermath of the Division 1 and 2 Allianz football league finals, a show will take place at GAA headquarters.

There will be a fireworks display, the reading of the proclamation by 32 children from the 32 counties and a concluding procession 2,016 people from different parts of Irish society.

Here’s some pictures from today’s launch featuring Clare’s Tony Kelly, Kildare’s Niall Kelly, wolfhound handler Tony Dunne, Irish Volunteers Adam Cahill and William Northey, GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghaíl  and Artistic Director Ruán Magan.