Irish Tricolour celebrations in Waterford mark 177th anniversary of when it was first flown
Sarah Slater
Irish Tricolour celebrations marking the 177th anniversary of when it was first flown are taking place in Waterford city on Sunday.
The Tricolour was first flown at 33, The Mall in Waterford city in 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher, a leader of the Young Irelanders.
The flag was presented as a gift to Meagher from a group of French women.
Although the 1916 Easter Rising made the Irish tricolour famous, it was actually first flown publicly in Waterford city in 1848.
On March 7th of that year, Thomas Francis Meagher, a leader of the Young Irelanders, flew the flag from the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club at 33 The Mall, Waterford city.
In Dublin, on April 15th of the same year, Meagher presented this silk flag to the citizens of Ireland, saying: "The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the orange and the green."
Meagher was later convicted for leading the Young Irelanders' 1848 Rebellion. On Easter Monday, April 24th 1916, the IRB, Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army flew the Irish tricolour from the top of the GPO in Dublin.
Celebrations mark the life and legacy of Meagher, an Irish and American patriot who played a pivotal role in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
Meagher is also revered in the US, where he led Irish troops fighting to preserve the Union in the Civil War. After the war Meagher became acting governor of Montana.
A statue of Meagher also graces the Montana state capital in Helena.
33 The Mall where the tricolour was flown by Meagher currently in private ownership “needs to be preserved for the sake of our history” Waterford Independent councillor Donal Barry is warning.
Cllr Barry explained that the ‘symbolic act of unfurling the tricolour at this location has had a profound impact’ on Irish history and has resonance on an international scale.
The councillor continued: "I firmly believe that the State should possess this historic building on behalf of the Irish nation. Despite the hundreds of people gathering outside the building daily to learn about its historical importance, there is no public access nor displays showcasing the rich history associated with this significant event."
He noted that with the annual celebration of the tricolour unfolding in Waterford city, it is "paramount" that the proper "respect and observation of protocol regarding" our national flag, especially in a building of such national significance.
"We must prevent the possibility of the building falling into the hands of Irish or international investors who may restrict access to or the flying of the tricolour.
"I’m urging Taoiseach Martin, on behalf of the Irish people, to swiftly take the necessary steps to acquire 33 The Mall in Waterford or to engage with the current owners to secure a commitment that the State will have the first opportunity to purchase the building if it becomes available for sale," Cllr Barry concluded.
Waterford City and County Council confirmed that it approached the owner of the property last year with the “view to purchase, however the owner was not interested in selling the property at the time.”
The Mayor of Waterford will travel with two councillors to Montana, at the invitation of Montana State House along with a representative of Waterford Chamber of Commerce and a member of the TFM committee will also be in attendance on the provisional dates of May 18th to 25th.
