Each year on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day March,16th , the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation’s Annual Flag Day takes place, giving schools the opportunity to celebrate active citizenship, and inclusivity in their schools ,by raising the Irish flag .The raising of the Irish Tricolour flag symbolises a “coming together” creating a community of hope for Ireland’s future.Flag Day gives schools the opportunity to celebrate active citizenship, and inclusivity in their school community in the lead up to Flag Day.

Sacred Heart celebrated National Flag Day on Tuesday, March 10th, with a gathering of all First Year students with our Guest Speaker,Former Fine Gael TD ,and Minister of State,Mr Jim O Keeffe, his wife Maeve, daughter Aoibheann, and grandchildren Saoirse, Alex, and Roisin, students here in Sacred Heart.

Judy Ghafrji was MC for this event, introducing all students who made presentations. These included Catherine White,and Tess Williamson, who shared very interesting information about our National Flag, and the man associated with it Thomas Francis Meagher. They were followed by Alex Scott,and Roisin Gilmore who shared some fascinating information ,about a fascinating man, their Grandfather Mr Jim O’ Keeffe .

Mr O’ Keeffe then addressed the girls and spoke about the significance of the Irish Flag to him, and the importance of the Irish Flag to all generations , past and present . Mr O’ Keeffe shared a very interesting piece of historical information when he spoke of Gearoid O Sullivan, a cousin of his wife Maeve,who raised the Tricolour over the G.P.O. in Easter Week 1916.

Another presentation, given by Maebh McCarthy and Lucy O’ Regan centered on “Women and the Irish Flag”, while Aoibheann McCarthy read her inspirational piece of writing , titled “What the Irish Flag Means to Me”, a piece she entered for the Thomas Meagher Foundation Competition , based on the same title.

During the proceedings all First Year students, accompanied by their Year Head, Ms Meade and Deputy Principal Mr. Brendan Walsh, went to the front lawn, where Mr .O’ Keeffe raised the Irish Flag. The National Anthem ,Amhrán na bhFiann,was sung ,accompanied by our School’s Traditional Group of Musicians, and Ms Meade.

‍ ‍ "A National Flag is the most Sacred Thing a Nation can Possess." —

Thomas Francis Meagher (1863)