S.N. Thóin Ré Gaoith: DEFENCE FORCES PRESENT TRICOLOUR & PROCLAMATION

4 Samhain 2015

To commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising and to celebrate 100 years since the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, the Government has tasked Óglaigh na hÉireann with delivering a National Flag to every Primary School in the country. This is a key part of the Ireland 2016 commemorative programme and members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, in uniform, are visiting schoolchildren, teachers and parents in over 3,200 schools across the Republic. Each school is visited by a team, led by an Officer or senior NCO, to formally present the National Flag to the School in a special ceremony. Personnel explain to the children about how the National Flag should be cared for and the protocol that surrounds this symbol of our nation.

In addition to the National Flag and the 1916 Proclamation, the Defence Forces also deliver a pack to each school, containing a booklet on how to care for the Flag and a poster of Amhrán na bhFiann, our national anthem.

The format for the visit to our school was as follows:

Arrival of the Defence Forces' team at the school: - parade into hall, led by past pupil pipers, Joseph English & Mícheál Mac Giollabháin.
Welcome and introductory remarks.
The 1916 Proclamation in context.
Reading of an extract of the Proclamation, by Séamus Mac Giontaigh.
Flag protocols - how we should care for our National Flag.
Presentation of the flag to Clíara Ní Dhubháin;
Presentation of 1916 Proclamation Pack to Megan Ní Chuanaigh.
Amhrán na bhFiann
Questions & answer session