THOMAS F. MEAGHER

THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER WAS AN IRISH PATRIOT, US ARMY GENERAL AND GOVERNOR OF MONTANA WHO FLEW THE FIRST TRICOLOUR FLAG ON THE 7TH OF MARCH 1848, IN WATERFORD.

IN HIS RELATIVELY SHORT LIFE – HE DIED AGED JUST 43 – MUCH OF WHICH WAS SPENT OUTSIDE OF IRELAND, THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO BOTH IRISH NATIONALISM AND TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO IRISH PEOPLE BEING ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED IN THE USA.

THE THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013 TO PROMOTE PRIDE IN AND RESPECT FOR THE IRISH FLAG AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF ITS SYMBOLISM AND MEANING FOR PEACE.

THEY FOUNDATION HOPES YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, ETHNICITIES, CULTURES, GENDERS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION WILL HAVE PRIDE IN, RESPECT FOR AND LIVE THE IRISH TRICOLOUR MESSAGE OF PEACE AND INCLUSION.

THIS YEAR KATIE TEEFY AND FARRAH CONNELLY TRAVELLED TO WATERFORD TO REPRESENT MANOR HOUSE AT THE FLAG CEREMONEY.

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKER ADDRESSED THE STUDENTS ASSEMBLED AND THEN EACH SCHOOL WAS PRESENTED WITH A FLAG. THANK YOU TO MR. WHELAN WHO WENT WITH FARRAH AND KATIE, AND THANK YOU TO THE TWO GIRLS THEMSELVES FOR REPRESENTING US SO WELL.