The Foundation’s work
The Thomas F. Meagher Foundation will continue to inspire young people about the flag’s true meaning, its founders tell Graham Clifford
Seven thousand pairs of excited eyes fixed on student Lily Whelehan, a direct descendant of Thomas F Meagher, as she lit up Croke Park with her electric smile and addressed her peers on a day of celebration.
Two years after being established the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, in conjunction with Ireland 2016, presented flags to every second-level school in the country on March 7 last year – on the 138th anniversary of the day the tri-colour first flew at 33 the Mall, Waterford in 1848.
“It was a sensational highlight for all of us involved,” explains Reverend Michael Cavanagh who along with Senator Mark Daly first championed the Foundation. He continued: “The words of President Higgins during the Croke Park ceremony, with all the students in the stands, were inspirational and re-enforced what we had been saying about the flag and its symbolism. And the ceremony itself was so moving.”
Though born and brought up in Manchester Michael’s connections to the Thomas F. Meagher story are stronger than most. Now based in the beautiful town of Kenmare for many years he tells me of why he got involved in the Foundation and how he stumbled across an unexpected revelation during his research of Meagher.
“I’d seen the way that the St George’s flag had been hijacked for political purposes in the UK. I didn’t want to see that happen with the tri-colour. Meagher’s flag design expressed a longing for acceptance, equality and respect between both communities on the island of Ireland. His message concerned different Christian groupings but the same message applies today in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.
“AsIwas researching Meagher I came across his authorised autobiography penned by another Michael Cavanagh, a friend and confidant of Meagher at the time. I started to put two and two together and recalled old stories of my Uncle Mick who went off to America around the same time. It was amazingly co-incidental that I discovered I was most likely related to Meagher’s right-hand man.”
Reflecting on the successes of the first three years of the Foundation, Reverend Cavanagh believes it’s made a valuable contribution to Irish society and our sense of ourselves.
“For sure I think we made a difference. Teaching young people about the flag’s symbolism was so important, about the inclusivity and values of equality instilled in the design. So many of our young people are oblivious to difference and it’s up to older generations to support that and celebrate it.”
And the Foundation must look forward too as Senator Daly explains.
“2016 was about celebrating how far we have come as a nation. Now the challenge we face is looking at how far we’ve yet to travel to fulfil the aims of the Proclamation. Central to that is making sure that the flag, and its peaceful symbolism, is embraced.”
The Foundation, in partnership with the Office of the Ceann Comhairle, has contacted secondary schools asking that they become involved in a new initiative beginning today.
Mark Daly explains: “On St Patrick’s Day each year we celebrate the global Irish family, in places like Australia, Canada and America. Many of those who are celebrating may never have stepped foot on Irish soil but what about those immigrant families who are in Ireland
now – be they born here or somewhere else? To be here on St Patrick’s Day must be a very odd experience for them – we must broaden our definition of what it means to be Irish in order to be more inclusive. We also have to celebrate the new Irish. So, today, on March 16, on the eve of St Patrick’s Day we’re asking schools to hold events, a flag day, where students can celebrate their own cultures, language and flags. Because identity must evolve, it can’t remain static.”
Not only is the Foundation making its mark in school corridors across Ireland but in the corridors of our National Parliaments too.
“We’re delighted that, in conjunction with the Ceann Comharile’s office, we will provide a flag to fly over Leinster House, another in the Dail and another in the Seanad. All have been flown by the Defence Forces from 33, the Mall,” explained Senator Daly.
And building on the success of achievements to date Daly, the Fianna Fáil Seanad Spokesperson on the Irish Overseas and Diaspora, said the focus must be on the years ahead now rather than those which have already passed.
“Those who signed the Proclamation wanted us to look forward, that’s what we’re doing. We want to make sure that our work is not something that happened solely in isolation to mark the centenary of the Rising but rather has a wider and more progressive scope. We want to make events, such as the March 16th flag day, permanent fixtures in Irish society and will be doing all we can to make that happen.”