Appeal for information about New Ross Workmen’s Club’s flag
THE NEW ROSS WORKMEN’S CLUB committee are trying to find out as much information as possible about an historic gold flag kept at the clubhouse on Mary Street which features the symbol for the Catholic Workmen’s Club on the front - a Holy Cross and three shamrocks - and the words: Awaken Your Courage Ireland’ on the back.
The club is one of the oldest workman clubs in the region and the club flag is its symbol, produced at important events in the town.
Club vice chairman Tony Bennett said: ‘We would like to donate the cloth to New Ross Muicipal District council for the benefit of everyone.’
It is believed that Irish patriot Michael O’Hanrahan and co-founder of the Carlow Gaelic League branch, who was born in New Ross, may have had something to do wth the flag - as both he and his brothers Harry and Edward founded the Carlow branch of the Gaelic League in 1899. Michael O’Hanrahan also founded the Carlow Workman’s Club on April 9, 1899.
The club committee of John Bennett PRO, Kieran Murphy officer, Jim Howlett treasurer, Tony Bennett vice chairman, Jim Crowdle chairman, David Shannon officer, Stephen Bolger officer, Tom Kielthy, officer and John Hearne secretary, have been researching the history of the flag and are appealing to anyone with information about it to contact the club on 087 2140362. Mr Bennett said: ‘We have the full history up to a certain point. We believe the wording on the flag has something to do with the Gaelic League. The banner was used in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of 1916 and again in 2016 on the 100th anniversary, and for the centenary of Michael O’Hanrahan’s birth in 2016 in the parade in New Ross.’
The flag is due to be donated to the council in an act of generosity.