Flag Day 16th March – on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day each year.

Each year on the eve of St. Patricks Day 16th March, the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation’s annual Flag Day takes place giving schools the opportunity to celebrate active citizenship and inclusivity in their schools by raising the Irish flag and welcoming the flags of all the nationalities in their local communities. The raising of the Irish Tricolour flag symbolises a “coming together” creating a community of hope for Ireland’s future.

The vision of the Foundation is to see young people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientation have pride in, and respect for the Irish flag as a symbol of peace and inclusion.  

The Foundation funds registered schools with packs to enable them to take part in flag day and fund-raising activities.  Flag Day gives schools the opportunity to celebrate active citizenship and inclusivity in their school in the lead up to Flag Day and students can also choose to sell flag lapel pins for local or international projects or charities close to their hearts. 

Flag packs are posted out to registered schools around the end of February, early March each year and include:

Included in the Flag Pack is:

  • An Irish Flag which has been flown from 33 The Mall, Waterford where Thomas F. Meagher first flew the Irish Tricolour flag.
  • Copies of classroom supplements “The People’s Flag” produced by the Irish Independent including lesson plans devised by the History Teachers Association of Ireland.
  • Irish Flag lapel pins to fundraise for charities and/or projects of your choosing.
  • Promotional material and ideas for Flag Day events.
  • Details on how to fulfil your Gaisce Bronze Award Challenge through Flag Day should you wish.
  • Information of the Annual Awards and Scholarship programme

Register Your school for flag day 2025

Students participating in Flag Day can also enter the annual Awards and Scholarship programme.  Each year students will have the opportunity to win one of many category awards or an overall scholarship prize. 

As a Challenge Partner of Gaisce – The President’s Award, students can also choose to use their Flag Day activities towards earning their Bronze Award. We have devised a sample 13 week Bronze Award programme which you can learn more about here.

If your school would like to take part in annual flag day activities please get in touch with us by email to: info@tfmfoundation.ie

National Flag Day