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 will see members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, in uniform, visiting schoolchildren, teachers and parents in over 3,200 schools across the Republic.
Each school will be visited by a team, led by an Officer or senior NCO, who will formally present the National Flag to the School in a special ceremony. The personnel will teach the children about how the National Flag should be cared for and the protocol that surrounds this vibrant symbol of our nation.
The team will visit Scoil Cholmcille on Thursday January 14th at 10am. The ceremony itself will last approx. 30 minutes. Please wear full school uniform on the day.
Sequence of Events:
Introductory Remarks (to include a piece from Dept of An Taoiseach), followed by a background piece.
- The 1916 Proclamation (Reading the Proclamation, with a nominated pupil (from 6th Class) reading a pre-selected extract.)
- The National Flag
- Q&A on the flag
- Flag Protocols (care and custody)
- Presentation of the Flag to an appointed personage (oldest and youngest child currently at Mount Hanover N.S.)
- Concluding Remarks—Ceremony ends
- Q&A (time permitting)