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. 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 plans for how to celebrate Flag Day, and flags flown from 33 The Mall.
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.
National Flag Day, an initiative of The Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, will be celebrated on Tuesday 16th March 2022 encouraging second-level children to engage in active citizenship and inclusivity, reinforcing the positive message behind the Irish Flag and also providing an opportunity to celebrate the flags of all nationalities within the school community. Read more and watch an informational video here.
we were absolutely thrilled when Mr. Clive Byrne, former Director of the NAPD and also an Honorary Board Member of the TFM Foundation recorded this video which featured over the two days of the NADP conference. You can view the video and read more here.
HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PAGES FROM OUR SUPPLEMENT 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' IN THE IRISH INDEPENDENT published march 12th 2021.
Gracie Friel Artist - SCHOLARSHIP WINNER - scoil mhuire buncrana
"This year and last year have been more challenging than I ever thought they could be, with countless people being affected and taken by the obscenity of Covid 19. People have endured mass suffering and pain both physically and emotionally, facing illness, isolation from those they love, and unfortunately grief .
I tried to encapsulate this within my piece, sketching an elderly man being taken care of by a nurse. On her face she wears a mask displaying the Irish flag, her loving nature a symbol of our country in whole.
During these harsh and historic times, Ireland has successfully and without hesitation stood tall and showcased strength in the face of the unknown. We have obeyed by the rules to keep ourselves, but most importantly others safe, and it is this sense of loyalty and togetherness that makes me so proud to belong to the Irish tricolour. I feel that in 2021, what the Irish flag means to me is strength, compassion, unity and above all else, is love"
Announcing the kerry group awardS & scholarship Winners for 2021!
We were delighted to receive such a wealth of diverse entries to the Awards programme this year despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. We applaud all the students and their teachers for their efforts and creativity. we don't doubt that Thomas F. Meagher would be thrilled to see the school children in 2021 celebrating the Irish flag in such a wonderfully inspiring way.
"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."
