A candlelight vigil was held today to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the Stardust fire in Dublin.

The fire, which broke out at a Valentine's dance in the north Dublin nightclub in 1981, claimed the lives of 48 people, with more than 200 others being injured.

An inquest has only now been arranged and it will open on April 19th.

Families of victims gathered at the site of the nightclub fire today to remember those who lost their lives.

Campaigner Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters in the fire, said she found it to be a very emotional day.

Picture by: Claire McNamara.

Maurice McHugh, who lost his only daughter in the fire, says they are still waiting on justice and accountability.

He told Newstalk: "All the families on the north side are criminalised as arsons. That was for 27 years that lasted, and then we were exempted."

"Then we continued on fighting and fighting for justice and we had step by step, year by year, so eventually on the 42nd year the inquest was open."

Retired RTÉ broadcaster Charlie Bird joined the vigil and unveiled a new memorial wall listing all of the victims names.

Gertrude Barrett lost her son Michael in the blaze, who was assistant DJ on the night.

"He was helping out the DJ Colm O'Brien and he raised the alarm and he never made it", she explained.

"He was the last identified on Tuesday evening [after the fire]."

Some victims weren't identified until decades after.

"Sometimes every day is like the 14th of February", Ms Barret said.

"But I really have to thank people near and far and people of Ireland that stayed with us and prayed with us to reach our goal."

"To return all [the victims'] good names to them - that was my aim."

"That's what's kept me doing this."

Picture by: Claire McNamara