175 Years of the Raising of the Irish Flag

On Monday, March 6th, Transition Year Students, along with Fifth Year and Leaving cert Applied students gathered to commemorate, and celebrate 175 years since the First raising of the Irish Flag. They were joined by Principal, Ms Ann Marie Brosnan, Deputy Principal, Mr Brendan Walsh and Mr Traolach O Dhonnabhain of Duchas Clonakilty Heritage.

A special thanks to students from the Fifth Year Class who made the presentations in the GPR ,and in the front lawn, where our Flag was raised by Mr Traolach O Dhonnabhain . Thanks also to Ms Meade and students form the Trad Group who provided music during the proceedings , and of course to First Years , Mia ,Ellie and Molly who helped to set up the stand in honour of the Irish Flag.

Molly, Mia and Ellie…

Mr Traolach O Dhonnabhain raising the Irish Flag and being assisted by Kevin and Alannah

Ms Ann Marie Brosnan, Fifth Year History Students Lucy, Niamh, Madeline , Rhiannon, Claire, Clodagh, Mr Brendan Walsh and Mr Traolach O Dhonnabhain .

Trad Group, Orla,Aoife,Margaret, Emer, Noelle and Laura.

So what is the meaning of this Flag around which we they gathered today, and where did it come from?  

Go stairiúil, seasann an trídhathach - glas, bán agus oráiste, do dhá phobal éagsúil in Éirinn. An dath glas don phobal Gaelach, Caitliceach. An dath oráiste don phobal Sasanach, Protastúnach. Seasann an dath bán don fhís agus don dóchas a bhí ag Thomas F. Meagher do thodhchaí síochánta eatarthu.      

This Tricolour was presented ,as a gift, in 1848 to Thomas Francis Meagher from a small group of French women, sympathetic to the Irish cause, and  was intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union between Roman Catholics (symbolised by the green colour) and Protestants (symbolised by the orange colour). Modelled on the French Tricolour, a symbol of the French Revolution and the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity that it proclaimed, the Irish Tricolour takes us back to the roots of the modern democratic movement.

On The 7th Of March 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher , A Member Of The Young Ireland Movement ,Flew A Tricolour Flag At The Wolfe Tone Club In Waterford City, Where It Flew Continuously For Eight Days And Nights Before Being Removed By The Authorities. 

In April 1848 this Tricolour was  raised in a procession to the historic Vinegar Hill in County Wexford in commemoration of the events of the 1798  the same day Thoma Francis Meagher, as leader of the young irelanders, brought the tricolour presented to him in Paris to a Dublin meeting.

Here Thomas Francis Meagher outlined the significance of the particular arrangement of colours he wished to see adopted as the emblem of the Irish nation:

“The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between Orange and Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.”

Later in his life, reflecting on his youthful years in Waterford, Thomas Meagher wrote:

"May the social institutions flourish which bring Irishmen together, make them know each other, trust each other, love each other, and, in convivial circles, teach them they are brothers all!"

In addition he said:

“A National Flag is the most Sacred Thing a Nation can Possess”

Robyn Appelbe introducing her video,“Saoirse sa Ghaoth “ based on the question “What the Irish Flag Means to Me?”

Niamh and Rhiannon sharing information on the importance and significance of the Irish Flag

Clodagh opening the proceedings as Gaeilge. Thanks to Ms O Donovan

Claire Foyle reading her piece “The Hand is the Tool of all Tools’ which explains the significance of her beautiful carving of Hands.This sculpture was created in response to the question “What the Irish Flag Means to Me?”

First Years gathering in honour of the Irish Flag.