An historic day will be marked in Waterford today, as the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish flag will be celebrated.
On the 7th of March 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher flew a Tricolour flag at the Wolf Tone Club in Waterford City, where it flew continuously for eight days and nights before being removed by the authorities.
The above ceremony takes place at The Waterford Crystal Plaza and will include, a Defence Forces Honour Guard from 3 Infantry Battalion, a Flag raising Party from the Naval Service, a marching body of Veterans and a Flag Party of National Flags and Pennants.
A wreath will be laid by Waterford man and former Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall. In attendance will be, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Ambassadors from the US, France, Australia, Canada, UK, Belgium & the Ukraine along with members of the 69th Infantry Regiment (Fighting Irish) New York, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and many other dignitaries.Dan
The Irish Naval Ship L.E. James Joyce will be docked in Waterford Harbour.
The Irish Military Vehicle Group (IMVG) will have a display of vehicles and weapons and the Civil Defence will also have vehicles and equipment on show.
A packed schedule of events also took place yesterday (Saturday), which culminated last night when chairperson of the Tricolour Celebration, Ann Cusack was given a surprise honour.
In recognition of all her work over the last number of years, the owner of the Granville Hotel (where Thomas Francis Meagher was born 200 years ago this year), was made an Honorary Major of the 69th Infantry Regiment New York.
"I was totally flabbergasted," Ann told WLR's Timmy Ryan afterwards.
"That's the Fighting Irish regiment, which is the unit that Thomas Francis Meagher would have fought in. They've come every year to support us, which is absolutely wonderful.
"But to get this tonight was just amazing and such an honour."
Thomas Francis Meagher, a prominent Young Irelander, had recently returned from France where he was inspired by the French flag.
French Ambassador to Ireland, Vincent Guerand, told WLR, "The French tricolour had been first presented almost 50 years before, in 1794. These two flags embody and illustrate very strong values of democracy, liberty, equality and even fraternity.
"Those values we are proud to share."
The importance of TF Meagher cannot be overstated, according to Dan Mulhall, who stressed he is also a major figure in the history of the United States of America, having served as Governor of Montana.
"He's one of the few people that is celebrated and commemorated on two continents," former US Ambassador Mulhall said.
"The only other Irish person that I can think of that has memorials to him in Ireland and America is Robert Emmet.
"But Thomas Francis Meagher played a role in the development of Irish nationalism.
"The Young Ireland tradition was an important tradition which kept alive the spirit of Irish freedom, Irish independence, at a time when it could easily have been extinguished - at the time of the Great Famine, remember.
"Then of course, if you go to America, Meagher is remembered not as an Irish patriot, but as an American General, as a man who fought in the Civil War.
"He also helped to integrate the Irish into American society."
Timings for today's activities:
1145 hrs. The Parade will be made up of a marching Veteran group and Pipe Band.
The marching groups will form a parade outside the Granville Hotel on the quayside and march to The Waterford Crystal Plaza on The Mall led by the De La Salle Pipe Band and a Flag Party of Pennants.
1200 hrs. The Ceremony will commence when the Parade arrives at The Mall and gets into formation directly in front of the flag poles. The Barrack Street Brass Band will perform at the ceremony.
WLR will be broadcasting live from today's ceremony, with Timmy Ryan on air 10am-1pm.
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