Thomas F. Meagher Foundation
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 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.
Thomas F. Meagher Foundation Honorary Board Member Henry Shefflin with Gaisce CEO Yvonne McKeena promoting Flag Day 2020
At this year's annual National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals Conference, we were delighted that Honorary Board member Henry Shefflin, one of Ireland's most successful sports stars and winner of 10 All Ireland Hurling Medals could join us at this event to tell the attendees what schools can expect after registration. The event was a resounding success, and we are very happy with the number of schools that registered at the event.
HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PAGES FROM OUR 'THE PEOPLE'S FLAG' SUPPLEMENT FOR THE IRISH INDEPENDENT 2019.
This year we are excited to continue our partnership with Gaisce--The President's Award, enabling students to use their Flag Day activties to work towards their Gaisce Bronze Award. Please see the page below for more information on Flag Day and Gaisce.
gaisce or ‘great achievement’ is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25 and has been in existence since 1985.
the awards initially flourished under the patronage of former president patrick. J hillary and to date and have been carried by incoming president’s. To date over 300,000 young people have participated in the gaisce programme. At gaisce our main aim is to ensure we have a programme which fits the needs of every young person who wishes to participate in the gaisce programme and to give each participant the best possible opportunity to do so. We believe in the ability and resilience of young people and through the gaisce programme we want them to nurture that ability and to realise their full potential.
gaisce is driven and motivated to follow and adhere to core values set out by its staff and council members. We are committed to ensuring these core values are embedded across all areas of our work, and in our practice and processes.
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
"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."
