But then came the Easter Rising, Sinn Fein's victories in the 1918 election, the formation of the First Dail and the War of Irish Independence.

BBC: Home Rule and the Ulster Covenant

Fianna Fail's Eamon De Valera, whose 1937 constitution created the presidency, took part in the 1916 Easter Rising against the British but as prime minister he was also responsible for the execution of IRA members who endangered the new Irish state.

BBC: Irish presidency: candidates go from sinner to saint

Speaking in advance of weekend republican commemorations of the 1916 Easter Rising, Mr Adams said the onus was on Prime Minister Tony Blair to restore the power-sharing institutions.

BBC: Adams: Hopes at 'all-time low'

He was speaking at a commemoration in Dublin to mark the 1916 Easter Rising.

BBC: Martin McGuinness in Easter Rising commemoration warning

The letter, signed at the end of the 1916 Easter Rising, was handed to an English general.

BBC: Dublin may seek surrender letter

Mr Burke said the letter should be placed in an Easter Rising Museum.

BBC: Dublin may seek surrender letter