A FEW eyebrows were raised when a controversial swastika flag was displayed in the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire.
However, it was all part of a special festival of flags launched last week and was included for educational purposes.
The inclusion of the flag, which became a symbol of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, initially attracted some curious glances when it featured in the Bratacha festival.
Organisers pointed out that there were numerous flags and emblems also on display from areas of conflict around the world that could be viewed in a historical context as symbols of aggression.
Breasal O Caollai, a member of the board of directors at the museum, said the flag had received some comments, particularly from older people.
He said the flag was included in the exhibition as a piece of historical interest.
“It’s part of history,
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“As are the other flags that are on display including the Plough and the Stars and so on.
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Mr O Caollai hoped that school groups would visit the museum during the exhibition and that the inclusion of flags such as the swastika could provide an interesting historical talking point.
Run by the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, the exhibition marked the first ever international symposium on the history, heritage and culture of flags and emblems and featured lectures, workshops, exhibitions and public events.
Mr O Caollai pointed out that the museum is hosting a range of festivals from now until the end of the year, including an exhibition to mark the centenary of the 1913 Lockout.