2023 Supplement
HERE YOU CAN SEE THE PAGES FROM OUR SUPPLEMENT 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' IN THE IRISH INDEPENDENT published thursday 16th march 2023
The Thomas Francis Meagher Foundation was established in 2013 to promote pride in and respect for the Irish Flag and the understanding of its symbolism and meaning for peace.
in particular among Young People of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientation to have pride in, respect for and live the Irish tricolour message of peace and inclusion.
It is important that all the young people of Ireland are made aware of the flag’s message, and are fully included in the process of making it a reality by making a significant and meaningful contribution as active citizens.
Each year, we send out a fundraising pack to each of our registered schools, which include flag lapel pins for the students to sell to raise funds for a charity or project of their choice. We also provide schools with an irish flag flown from 33 The Mall, waterford and plans for how to celebrate Flag Day, plus lots more.
Learn more about the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, our aims and objectives.
Information about Flag Day.
Learn more about our awards and scholarship programmes.
The Foundation is named after Thomas Francis Meagher, Irish Patriot, US army general and Governor of Montana who flew the first Tricolour flag on the 7th of March 1848 from 33 The Mall in Waterford at the Wolf Tone Club.
In his relatively short life – he died aged just 43 – much of which was spent outside of Ireland, Thomas Francis Meagher made a significant contribution to both Irish nationalism and to the preservation of the United States and particularly to the assimilation of the Irish into American society.
The Foundation are encouraging all registered second level schools to raise our flag along with the flags of all the nationalities in our school communities. Let’s come together under the Irish Tricolour and let’s fuel hope through our flags meaning for peace, diversity and inclusion.
Ta an Fhonduireacht ag spreagadh scoileanna uile ata claraithe ag an dara leibhéal, ár mbratach a ardú mar aon le bratacha na naisiunaithe uile áta in ár bpobal scoile. Tagaimis le chéile fé bhratach tridhathach na hÉireann agus bimis fé chomharthai ar mbrathacha, ag cothú an dochais don siochain, don éagsúlacht agus don ionchuimsitheacht.
HERE YOU CAN SEE THE PAGES FROM OUR SUPPLEMENT 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' IN THE IRISH INDEPENDENT published thursday 16th march 2023
This month SAW the 175th Anniversary of the first flying of the Irish tricolour flag by Thomas Francis Meagher on March 7th 1848. A special flag presentation ceremony to post primary schools from across the state was held at the South-Eastern Technological University SETU Arena in Waterford city on MONDAY MARCH 6TH 2023. You can see photos from the day HERE
Guest of Honour at the event was An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar where each school was presented by members of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence with a flag itself flown from 33 The Mall in Waterford where Thomas Francis Meagher first flew the tricolour flag.
The host for the event, the wonderful Waterford lady Teresanne O’Reilly, extended a warm welcome to all in attendance. Guests included the French Ambassador Vincent Guérend, Mayor of the City and County of Waterford Cllr. John O’Leary, visiting Mayors and Cathaoirleachs and dignitaries alongside Honorary Board Members of the Foundation and most importantly school students and their teachers.
Students then enjoyed a story performed by local actor Tadhg Williams playing the character of Thomas Francis Meagher, before Reverend Canon Michael Cavanagh Co-Founder of the Foundation gave a motivating speech to students about active citizenship and playing their full part in continuing to build on a multicultural and diverse Ireland.
The Taoiseach spoke about the importance of peace and what the flag signified “It is both inspiring and heartening to witness the huge numbers of young people engaging in the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation programmes. “To see over 1,500 students travelling from all parts of the state to celebrate the 175th anniversary of our national flag is evidence that our young people have pride in and respect for the flag’s message of peace, inclusion, and the hope of a shared future on a shared island together.”
Senator Mark Daly, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann and Co-Founder of the Foundation thanked An Taoiseach for his inspiring and important words, he explained that each of the flags being presented were handmade in Ireland by the same family business who make all the flags for the Defence forces and Government buildings, before inviting young Tom Meagher a descendent of Thomas Francis Meagher and young Trustee of the Foundation Aishling Rochford to present a flag, this sacred symbol of our nation to An Taoiseach.
The audience were then treated to a beauiful musical performance by Sean Nós musicians brother and sister duo Seamús and Caoimhe who performed Caoineadh Na Dtrí Muire followed by Caisleán An tSléibhe. The national flag presentation followed shortly after and the afternoon was brought to a close with the audience singing the national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann.
“A national flag is the most scared thing a nation can possess”
Second level schools are invited to register for NATIONAL FLAG DAY activities running up to 16 March 2023 and to enter the Thomas F. Meagher Awards and Scholarships Programme.
registration is open now until 1st november for this special commemorative year. email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get your secondary school on the registration list for 2023.
A national programme of activity to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Tricolour Flag by Thomas F. Meagher over 33 the Mall, Waterford on 7 March, 1848 was launched at Leinster House.
Highlights in the programme will include a flag presentation to Government leaders, with students and educators from hundreds of secondary schools, in Waterford on the 6 March 2023.
The aim of the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, co founded in 2013 by Church of Ireland Reverend Michael Cavanagh and Senator Mark Daly Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann is to educate school children that the Irish Flag. The foundation’s work is supported by fantastic ambassadors including Packie Bonner, Henry Shefflin, Sanita Puspure, Colm Cooper, Niamh Briggs, Zak Moradi, Stephanie Roche, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and former Chief of the Irish Defence Forces Mark Mellet, who is an honorary board member of the foundation.
As part of National Flag Day 2023, second level students throughout the country are invited to participate in a flag raising ceremony at their own schools on National Flag Day, 16 March. Flag Day resource packs, which include educational resources for teachers and students, as well as a complimentary Irish Flag, will be delivered to registered schools nationwide.
Schools participating in Flag Day can also enter the Foundation Awards and Scholarships Programme by submitting an entry, for example an essay, poem, song, TikTok, drawing etc. expanding on the theme that the Flag’s message of pride, respect and peace can be put into practice in modern day Ireland. The Foundation is also a proud Challenge Partner of Gaisce -The President’s Award.
The Foundation was thrilled to be back with our first AWARDS CEREMONY to take place since 2019.
On Monday 3rd October student winners, their teachers and families gathered together with members of our Honorary Board and Flag Day Ambassadors Footballer Stephanie Roche and Irish Hurler Zak Moradi for a presentation lunch hosted by Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Senator Mark Daly Co-Founder and Honorary Board Member of the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation.
20 Students from Cork, Kerry, Galway, Dublin, Kildare and Monaghan were presented with a commemorative award following their prize giving last May when they won their respective categories for their creative and talented submissions to the Awards & Scholarship. thie annual awards is a special element of the annual Flag Day Schools Programme which seeks to foster personal development and achievement amongst young people.
"The flag is a statement of intent. It holds aloft our aspiration to be a peaceful country where all traditions are respected and reconciled. It flies high to remind us we are not there yet but it is the mission of each generation to bring us nearer to permanent peace one heart at a time. Good wishes to all those involved in the Thomas Francis Meagher Foundation School’s Scholarship and Awards Programme. Our flag flies over one of the best countries in the world and, for all its man-made problems and imperfections, Thomas Francis Meagher would be proud of its noble achievements and ambitions."
