Tricolour tribute opened at the GPO

A NEW permanent exhibition on the Irish Flag was opened at the GPO Witness History visitor centre recently to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Tricolour.

An Ceann Comhairle, Seán O'Fearghaíl, was guest of honour at the ceremony and he was joined at the event by Senator Mark Daly and representatives from schools that have signed up to take part in the Thomas F Meagher Foundation’s continuing work on promoting pride and respect for the Irish flag.

The new exhibition includes details on the history of the flag, which was first flown by Thomas F Meagher at 33 The Mall in Waterford in 1848,

Visitors to GPO Witness History can explore the exhibition’s content through a selection of panels, interactive screens and images while they learn the opinions of personalities from the world of politics, sport, arts and culture on what the Irish Flag means to them.

A standout feature of the exhibition is a monument stating the immortal lines of the Irish Proclamation, “summons the children to her flag to strike for her freedom” and Meagher’s own quote on the true meaning of the flag, which follows.

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

An Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, said he was delighted to launch the new exhibition.

“I feel it is truly important we mark the 170th anniversary of the first flying of the flag and examine what the flag really means, as a symbol of our nation and peace,” he added.

“I have been working with the Thomas F Meagher Foundation and the co-founders, Reverend Michael Cavanagh (COI) and Senator Mark Daly,  for a number of years and am delighted to continue to work with them this year on their upcoming flag day and on this significant exhibition.”

Senator Mark Daly also spoke at the launch.

“As co-founder of the Thomas F Meagher Foundation alongside Reverend Michael Cavanagh (COI), I am delighted this permanent exhibition has now been launched” he said.

“The exhibition embodies all the aims of the Foundation, to promote pride in and respect for the Irish flag and its message of peace, to educate the school children of Ireland of this message and to assist them in being active citizens in their community."

Aline FitzGerald, General Manager of GPO Witness History said: it was “truly an honour” to partner with the Thomas F Meagher Foundation to host the permanent exhibition.

“I believe it is poignant that this exhibition is located here in GPO Witness History, given that it was at the GPO where the Irish Tricolour first flew in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising; adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and formally confirmed as the National Flag of Ireland by the Irish Constitution in 1937,” she said.