READERS IN DUBLIN may have heard the sound of explosions across the north side of the city this morning. 

Well, we’ve solved the mystery and it was all linked to next week’s presidential inauguration. 

Shortly after 10.30am, a flurry of loud booms could be heard across the capital city from Dublin 5 to Dublin 15. 

The explosions took place at regular intervals every few seconds for approximately three minutes, and came from the direction of the Phoenix Park. The register of the blasts were akin to heavy ordnance being fired and echoing off buildings. 

People took to social media with some speculation that it was construction work or fireworks – but our enquiries discovered it was not any of those.

We contacted the Irish Defence Forces and their press office informed us that it was the Artillery Corps rehearsing a 21-gun salute for next week’s presidential inauguration of Catherine Connolly.

The guns will honour the new president as she arrives into Áras an Uachtaráin for the first time. Connolly will take the ceremonial role as Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence Forces when she is sworn in as president. 

The traditional 21-gun salute has its origins in naval fire batteries onboard old sailing ships. 

The Irish Defence Forces team involved in firing the guns is stationed at McKee Barracks, which is just over the wall from the Phoenix Park, near Garda Headquarters.

The guns used to carry out the salutes have been in the Irish Defence Forces since 1949. They are former British army mark three 25-pounders from the Royal Artillery Corp. The guns were used intensely throughout War World 2 and in battles such as Normandy.

They are now used solely in ceremonial events.

According to the Irish Defence Forces the 2nd artillery regiment conduct ceremonial salutes for presidential inaugurations, visiting heads of states, return of gun salute from foreign ships of war, and military funerals for general officers or a military member of the council defence.

The gun is operated by four gunners and one corporal on the gun and the battery is controlled by one lieutenant, a battery sergeant and timekeeper.

With reporting by Christine Bohan