A series of events is set to take place in Waterford city this weekend to commemorate the life and legacy of Irish patriot Thomas Francis Meagher.
Meagher raised what would later become the national flag at the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club at 33 The Mall in Waterford city on 7 March 1848, 178 years ago tomorrow.
The flag flew continuously for eight days and nights before being removed by the British authorities.
Meagher, who was born in Waterford, also became one of the leaders of the Young Irelanders.
Speaking about the flag in April 1848, he stated that: "The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between Orange and Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood."
The tricolour was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and formally confirmed as the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.
The Thomas Francis Meagher 178th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration will see a three-day festival of talks and events take place in Waterford city this weekend.
The organisers have said the festival offers an opportunity to reflect on the flag's proud history, but also what it means today through exploring how the tricolour's message of peace and inclusivity still relates to modern society.
The commemorative weekend opens this evening with the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum Band performing at the Granville Hotel on Meagher Quay.
Chairperson of the organising committee Éamonn McEneaney said there are expected to be many highlights over the weekend.
Mr McEneaney said: "The Friday evening walking tour of the city, the four terrific guest speakers delivering talks on Saturday morning at the Medieval Museum, our gala dinner with guest speakers on Saturday night, and the military parade, wreath laying and raising of the flag on Sunday morning."
The events are open to the public, with more information available on the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour Celebration website.
