DUBLIN, Ireland - Dublin witnessed a mass demonstration involving tens of thousands of anti-abortion activists, calling for the Eighth Amendment to be retained on Saturday.

The anti-abortion activists marched through Dublin in what they called the "Save the Eight" rally, which comes days after thousands of pro-choice campaigners held a similar demo in the Irish capital.

The anti-abortion activists on Saturday were demanding the retention of Ireland's restrictive laws on terminations, calling for the preservation of the constitutional provision that enshrines the unborn's right to life.

The Eighth Amendment affords the mother and unborn an equal right to life.

It makes abortion illegal in Ireland in all but exceptional circumstances.

This summer, Irish citizens are set to decide the fate of the contentious Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution in one of the county's most anticipated referendums in recent years.

The rally on Saturday witnessed the presence of several activists and doctors from all over Ireland, and the rally crossed the city and culminated at Merrion Square outside Leinster House.

One of the participants, Dr Maire Neasta Nic Gearailt told reporters, "There are a great many doctors out there who are deeply concerned by, and opposed to, these proposals. The fact that the Senator said she could not find us can be explained only two ways - that she did not really look, or that she simply could not see what was in front of her face."

Adding, "Perhaps if she had looked harder, she would have discovered what a poll of GPs revealed this week - that seven in 10 doctors do not wish to be part of the Government's abortion scheme. Doctors who oppose this radical U.K.-style abortion law may not have been listened to in Senator Noone's committee - but we will make our voices heard in the coming weeks."

Dr Gearailt said, "We trust that this time, Senator Noone will not miss us. But we enclose this voucher for Specsavers to be absolutely sure."

On Friday, a Government bill that aims to hold a referendum in late May was tabled in the Dail and came 48 hours after the country's Supreme Court provided clarity on the extent of protections for the unborn offered by the constitution.