Thomas F. Meagher Foundation - Promoting pride in and respect for the Irish flag

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP 2023 WINNERS

awards & Scholarship winners

"the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation were once again thrilled with number and quality of the entries to this year's Awards and scholarship programme 2023. the young people of Ireland clearly understand the meaning and relevance of the irish tricolour Flag's symbolism in this most special of years - the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the irish flag.

The message of inclusion and Peace was expressed with real creativity in each of the award categories. the number of entries we received far exceeded that of past years and we are very proud of all students for the passion they have shown this year, way beyond our expectations.

we also would like to sincerely thank you - our students' educators for encouraging your students to take part in the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation annual awards and learn about the history and important message of peace behind the Irish Flag."

revD. canon Michael Cavanagh, Chair of the tfm Foundation.

OVERALL / scholarship winner

Ciara corcoran - coláiste cois siuire, mooncoin, co. kilkenny

Overall Winner Scholarship ColaisteCoisSiuire Ciara Corcoran 6th Year Song Irish Flag

The overall winning entry is the song: "irish flag" Written and performed by 6th year student ciara corcoran. LINK TO SONG HERE.

Best overall entry junior cycle

mailí de cléir, coláiste cholmchille indreabhán, galway

Best Overall Junior Cycle Coliste Cholmchille Mail de Clir 2nd Year RS

2023 Supplement

HERE YOU CAN SEE THE PAGES FROM OUR SUPPLEMENT 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' IN THE IRISH INDEPENDENT published thursday 16th march 2023

175th Anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Tricolour flag

This month SAW the 175^th Anniversary of the first flying of the Irish tricolour flag by Thomas Francis Meagher on March 7^th 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”

Flag Day 2023 & the 175th Anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Flag on 7 March 2023

Flag Day 2023 was launched at Leinster House at the annual awards ceremony on monday 3rd october with support from ambassadors Packie Bonner, Henry Shefflin, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Sanita Puspure, Stephanie Roche and Zak MoraDI.

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 175^th 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.