A national flag is being delivered to every primary school in the country as part of initiatives to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
Over the next number of months, members of the Defence Forces will distribute a handmade Tricolour and a copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic to more than 3,000 national schools.
First of the Irish flags and proclamations being distributed to primary schools today #centerary1916 pic.twitter.com/LJqRZGBTC3
— j tierney (@jarlathtierney) September 14, 2015
St Patrick's National School in Islandeady, Co Mayo, was selected as the first school to be presented with the national flag.
A ceremony at each location will see members of the Defence Forces raise the flag and read the Proclamation to pupils and teachers.
They will also give background information on the symbolism of the Tricolour and the etiquette attached to its display and storage.
About 3,300 schools are getting letters telling them the date on which they can expect their delivery between now and next March.
Members of the Army, the Navy and the Air Corps will be involved in the distribution effort.
The countrywide project forms part of the State's effort to mark the 1916 centenary.
As part of the programme of events, pupils in all schools will be invited to write a new proclamation to reflect the hopes and aspirations of their generation.
They will also be encouraged to research their own family history back 100 years and see what their ancestors were doing around the time of the Rising.
The initiative will culminate with a dedicated Proclamation Day in all schools on 15 March next year.
