Flag Day Celebrations 2021

by Claire McGranaghan · Published 16th March 2021 · Updated 18th March 2021

“THE THOMAS F. MEAGHER FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013 TO PROMOTE PRIDE IN AND RESPECT FOR THE IRISH FLAG AND ITS MEANING FOR PEACE, IN PARTICULAR AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IRRESPECTIVE OF ETHNICITY, CREED OR GENDER. AN ONGOING FOCUS FOR THE FOUNDATION IS ON THE NEW IRISH COMMUNITIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING THEIR INCLUSION IN IRISH SOCIETY.”

Our school were delighted to be able to participate in a lovely flag raising ceremony today which takes place annually on the eve of St. Patricks Day. The ceremony was captured on video by Ms Murray and will be shared across our school platforms so that students, staff and the community can view and enjoy virtually. Students delivered the message of what the Irish flag means to them and to our school through art, song, poems and dance.

The ceremony was introduced by Ms Ward who spoke about our school involvement in the Thomas F Meagher Foundation initiative. Clodagh Gillen reflected on the history of the flag. Ms Molloy introduced Aine Arnold and Molly Boyce and commended their Artwork representing their interpretation of famous words spoken by Thomas Meagher.

Mr Thompson spoke about the schools entry in the National Kerry Awards and congratulated Trinity Parker and Kayla Conaghan and Alana Bradley for representing the school and winning awards in the competition. The title of this year’s competition was ‘An interpretation of what the Irish Flag means to me’. Kayla and Alana then displayed their talents and entertained everyone by dancing a reel.

Mr Thompson spoke of the many cultures, creeds, values and belief systems that join hands beneath the folds of the Irish flag and introduced Najem Alahmad, Tegan Appleby Jones, Murilo Otavio Martins, Jihan Issa and Kinda Issa who read a poem in celebration of St. Patricks Day.

Lily Corry read the Poem ‘I am Your Flag’, a poem adapted by Lily and Ms Ward. This was followed by the Raising of the flag by Trinity Parker, Ms Connolly and Niall Ewing while Caitlin Mc Nulty beautifully sang the National Anthem.

Daire Foy read extracts from The Proclamation remembering our past while Carina Mc Elchar, the final contributor to the ceremony ended the proceedings on a note of hope through her reading of a very beautiful and relevant poem written by our president, Michael. D.Higgins.

Mr Thompson closed the ceremony thanking staff and students for their contributions in marking this special event and wishing everyone a lovely St. Patricks Day. Students received lovely cupcakes decorated by Oonagh in the canteen in traditional Irish colours to celebrate the day. Below is a selection of photos capturing the event.