Roll-out of 1916 Proclamation and National Flag begins across Meath

Anybody who attended primary school in Ireland since 1966 will recall the large framed poster of the 1916 Proclamation which hung on the wall, and learning off by heart the names of the signatories - Pearse, Plunkett, McDermott, McDonagh, Ceannt, Connolly and Clarke.
These were presented to schools to mark the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, and now, as the centenary approaches, schools are being reawakened to the rebellion by the presentation of a National Flag by the Defence Forces.
This is a key part of the Ireland 2016 commemorative programme and will see members of ”glaigh na hÉireann, in uniform, visiting schoolchildren, teachers and parents in over 3,200 schools across the Republic.
The roll-out began in Meath in recent weeks, with St Fiach’s National School in Ballinacree, outside Oldcastle, among the first to receive its Tricolour last week.
As well as the National Flag and the 1916 Proclamation, each school receives a booklet on how to care for the flag; a poster of Amhrán na bhFiann and the National Anthem.
Visiting Ballinacree were Lieutenant Luke Sullivan and Private Conor Pentony of the 27th Infantry Battalion, based at Dundalk. They were welcomed by the school’s traditional music band and principal, AnnNoelle Bennett, and the officers explained the context of the Proclamation. Pupils Nicole Smith and Katelyn Coyle read the Proclamation, and there was a questions and answers session about the flag and protocols, followed by a contribution by Lucas Donellan. The Proclamation and National Flag were presented to pupils Patrick Browne and Eoin Riley, before the trad bad performed a number of pieces including Sé Mo Laoch, Let Erin Remember, and Amhran na bhFiann.