On 7 March 1848 the Irish Tricolour was first flown at 33 the Mall by Waterford-born Thomas Francis Meagher. The Tricolour was adopted as the flag of the Irish State with the achievement of independence in 1922, a decision confirmed in the present Constitution of Ireland, which was enacted in 1937. Meagher saw the flag as a symbol of peace between all the people of Ireland:
‘The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the ‘Orange’ and the ‘Green’, and I trust that beneath its folds, the Irish Protestant [the ‘Orange’] and the Irish Catholic [the ‘Green’] may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood."
His words, spoken in 1848, still have significance and relevance in the Ireland of today.
For over ten years this momentous occasion in Irish history has been remembered by the committee of the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour Celebration. Unsurprisingly, this year’s commemoration will be very different because of Covid 19. Lockdown means that it will be a virtual event, with strict Covid 19 restrictions, but the committee is determined that it will be a dignified and imaginative celebration.
During the day on Sunday 7 March the 1848 Tricolour Celebration will be playing videos on its Facebook page and on Waterford In Your Pocket to celebrate the first flying of the flag in Waterford in 1848 at midday, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.
Thomas Francis Meagher & The Young Irelanders first flew the Irish flag on March 7th, 1848 from the Wolfe Tone Club at 33 The Mall, Waterford.
To celebrate:
c1867 Thomas Francis Meagher By A.C. Carter, Montana. MHS Photo Archives#OnThisDay #OTD #Waterford #Irish #History pic.twitter.com/BnmCP5jQ4m— Timeless Colours (@timelesscolours) March 7, 2021
June Celebration
Covid has had a dramatic impact on the activities of the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour Celebration, with the cancellation of events in 2020. This year, however, it is planning its annual programme of celebration on the weekend of June 25 -27. With the support of Waterford City and County Council, this weekend will see, among other things, a lecture programme reflecting on the life of Meagher, short dramas inspired by him, historical walks and a ceremonial Raising of the Tricolour.
