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 irrespective of ethnicity, creed or gender. It is important that all the young people of Ireland including those who constitute the ‘New Irish’ 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.
To promote active citizenship, the Foundation encourages all schools to hold a Flag Day, on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day every year. The Foundation supply participating schools, flag lapel pins, free of charge, along with a fundraising pack to sell for charities or projects of their choosing.
To ensure the message of the Flag’s meaning for peace and the Foundation’s aim of active citizenship working with the Irish Independent and the History Teachers Association a 24 page supplement is produced each year containing lesson plans to be used by schools.
The Foundation is delighted to have worked in partnership with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in organising the second largest event in the 1916 centenary celebrations by presenting, at an event in Croke Park, every second level school in the state with an Irish Flag which was flown from 33 The Mall in Waterford, the building from which Meagher flew a tricolour flag for the first time.
The Foundation also worked with the Department of the Taoiseach in updating the protocol guidelines for the display and handling of the national flag.
In 2018, the Foundation in partnership with Shannon Heritage and the GPO Witness History Centre, installed the first ever permanent exhibition on the Irish Flag.
To continue developing its aims, the Foundation has linked up with Gaisce as a challenge partner to work with its extensive network of second level teachers and students throughout Ireland.
Learn more about the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, our aims and objectives.
Information about Flag Day.
Learn more about our awards and scholorships 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 sell the flag lapin pins to raise money for a project or charity of their choosing, we are encouraging the young people of Ireland Irrespective of ethnicity, creed or gender to work together under the Irish Tricolour and live its message of peace and unity.
Spreagfaidh Lá na Brathaí, a bheidh á chomóradh i 2019 ar 15 Márta, daoine óga na hÉireann chun dul i mbun oibre le chéile faoi Bhratach Thrídhathach na hÉireann ag fógairt agus ag comhlíonadh a teagaisc i leith na síochána agus beag beann ar chíníocha, ar chreideamh nó ar inscne.
The Thomas F. Meagher Foundation’s Awards and Scholarship Programme has been held annually since 2016. This education programme allows students from registered schools to enter the Kerry Group Awards and Scholarship Programme. This allows students the chance to win an Award or the overall top prize of a Scholarship.
If your school would like to enter please see our Flag Day Page
HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PAGES FROM OUR 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' SUPPLEMENT FOR THE IRISH INDEPENDENT 2019.
"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."
