Tom Hartley was joined by a number of other councillors from his party at the City Hall.

The west Belfast representative, who took up office only a month ago, said many people from there contributed to the war effort.

"Many republicans have grandparents and great uncles who fought at the Somme," he said.

"The 6th Battalion of Connaught Rangers, who fought at the Somme in September 1916, over 600 of them came from the Falls Road.

"There is a history of involvement in the British army on the Falls Road and particularly during World War I."

Later war veterans and serving soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment (TA) joined a host of dignatries to mark the anniversary.

Dozens of wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in the grounds of the City Hall at a special remembrance service.

Belfast City Councillors including former lord mayor Jim Rodgers, High Sheriff Margaret McKenzie and Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey as well as new Culture Minister Gregory Campbell MP and PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland were among those who gathered to pay tribute to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during the wars.

Also among those laying wreaths were members of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Old Comrade's Association, The Royal Ulster Rifles Association, The Royal Irish Fusiliers Old Comrade's Association.

Crowds of onlookers including tourists and shoppers took time out to pay their respects and watch as a procession led by the band of the Royal Irish Regiment (Territorial Army) with a guard of honour from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment wound it's way towards the memorial garden.

Meanwhile Secretary of State Shaun Woodward MP attended the annual Somme commemoration in France.

He said: "The people of Northern Ireland have a strong emotional attachment to the Somme.

"It is now 92 years since the start of the Battle, when brave young men from towns and villages across Ulster went over the top, many never to return home.

"The memory of what happened here all those years ago shows no signs of disappearing.

"If anything, through the work of organisations like the Somme Association and the Somme Heritage Centre, a new generation is learning about what happened here all those years ago."