Supporting the true meaning of our flag
The message of unity contained in the tricolour is more important than ever, says Thomas F. Meagher Foundation chairman, Rev. Michael Cavanagh
One hundred and seventy years ago, Thomas Francis Meagher first flew the Green, White and Orange of what would become our National Flag. His vision was that those colours would be symbolic of a future Ireland enjoying a ‘lasting peace’ between all its people, irrespective of faith or culture.
It is doubtful that Meagher would have expected his vision to become a reality in his lifetime – the historical divisions were too deep for such a change to happen without blood and tears being shed – as indeed they have.
If Meagher were to travel through time to today, he would hear the stories of the long and difficult path to Independence; and he would ask if Ireland now enjoys the peace of which he dreamed. There would be much that would delight him – but he would realise that there is still much to do. Fortunately, he would also see that both the resource and the will exists to do it - in particular deploying the skills and opportunities presented by the young people who constitute the ‘New Irish’, both those born and bred here and those from many different birth nations who have chosen to become part of this country and its future.
The message of unity in the Flag’s central white panel is perhaps even more relevant in our multicultural society than ever before, where the desire for peace, harmony and mutual respect now extends far beyond the division between Catholic and Protestant. Our nation has struggled through the centuries to achieve the independence we now enjoy; but that victory comes with the responsibility to offer freedom and respect to every single one of its citizens, whoever they might be.
We in the Thomas Francis Meagher Foundation are totally committed to ensuring that the ‘New Irish’ have the encouragement and support to promote the Flag’s message and take an active part in both local and national initiatives. Flag lapel badges, given free of charge to schools, will again be sold on the eve of St Patrick’s Day by students for charities, causes and project of their choosing. In addition to Flag Day, we are working closely with Gaisce - the Presidential Award, and the GPO Witness History Exhibition to promote the Flag and its message to all those who share our aim. A major event this year will be the installation of a plaque from the President of Ireland, funded by the Foundation, in the Washington Monument prior to its reopening, further developing and extending International awareness.
Meagher began the story of which we are all part. We look forward to writing the chapter of its completion, when the message of the Tricolour speaks to the world.