In order to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising and to celebrate 100 years since the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, members of Óglaigh na hÉireann have been delivering a National Flag to every primary school in the country, presented in a special ceremony. Our ceremony took place on Monday, November 16th.
On arrival, the three members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Air Corps, were met by a guard of honour from fifth and sixth class students. They then proceeded into the hall carrying the Flag. The ceremony was conducted by sixth class members of the Student Council.
Our MC for the occasion was Kyle Quinn, who welcomed and introduced our special guests and explained how the ceremony would proceed.
We began by singing our school song, Diversity.
Óglaigh na hÉireann members Stephen, Joe and Dan then talked to the children about why they were there and read from the Proclamation, pausing at paragraph four, which was then read by Michelle O’Reilly, chairperson of our Student Council.
The ceremony continued with some questions and answers on the National Flag, then Padraig Pearse’s poem Wayfarer was read by Saoirse Kavanagh.
Before presenting us with our Flag, the soldiers explained some flag protocols and how we should care for our National Flag. The Flag was then presented to Niamh Cunningham and Ellen Needham, who received it on behalf of the school.
It was then time for the children to ask their questions and they had some interesting questions, including asking why soldiers salute. The men gave very interesting answers when they were asked about some of the work they do as members of the Air Corps and why they joined the Defence Forces.
Kyle concluded the ceremony by thanking the soldiers in Irish and announcing that we would all stand for the singing of Amhrán na bhFiann. During the singing the children saw in action the soldiers’ salute to our National Anthem.
Dan, Joe and Stephen, members of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
Niamh and Ellen received the National Flag on behalf of the school.
Kyle was our MC for the ceremony.
Saoirse read ‘The Wayfarer’ by Padraig Pearse. Michelle read paragraph four of the Proclamation.
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