Thomas F Meagher Foundation Day March 12th 2015
On Thursday 12th March, Mrs Finnegan and three Transition year students : Laura Devery, Sophie Devery and Steve Anne Buckley travelled to Waterford to represent our school in the inaugural Thomas F Meager Foundation Day. The proceeding were chaired by RTE’s Mary Kennedy who welcomed President and Mrs Higgins, the French and Canadian Ambassadors and lots of distinguished guests along with students from nearly 300 secondary schools across Ireland. Laura Devery presenting all our students was presented with the Tricolour during this celebration.
This foundation was set up to promote pride in and respect for the Irish Flag and its true meaning for peace in Ireland. It wants to ensure every student is aware of the history and the meaning behind the flag and is encouraging students to get involved in active citizenship projects over the next year . The Tricolour became the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.
Thomas Francis Meagher flew the first Tricolour from 33 The Mall, Waterford on 7th March 1848 as part of the Young Irelanders Rebellion.
“The White in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the Orange and the Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hand of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood”.
In his speech , President Higgins urged all students to Raise the Tricolour when they return to school and let students know about Thomas F Meagher. He also urged students to have respect and pride in being Irish and he said that in a multi culturally society that we live in today the White of the flag should represents our acceptance and inclusivity of all nationalities who come and live in Ireland and become Irish citizens.
At the end of school on Monday 16th the three girls who has completed a project on Thomas F Meagher raised the Tricolour as Mrs Finnegan gave a brief summary of the history of the Tricolour. Happy St Patricks Day everyone!
