An Emblem for Peace and a Call for Solidarity Speech by President Michael D. Higgins at National Flag Presentation Ceremony Croke Park, Dublin Monday 7th March, 2016
On 7th March 2016 children from second level schools across Ireland gathered in Croke Park for a ceremony during which members of the Defence Forces presented each school with a Tricolour and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation. The President reflected on the ideals and vision behind these symbols of the Irish nation. An 7 Márta 2016, tháinig leanaí ó mheánscoileanna ar fud na hÉireann le chéile i bPáirc an Chrócaigh le haghaidh searmanais inar bhronn comhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta Bratach Trí Dhath agus cóip d’Fhorógra 1916 ar gach scoil. Rinne an tUachtarán machnamh ar na hidéil agus ar an bhfís a bhain leis na siombailí seo de náisiún na hÉireann.
A Ardmhéara, A Aire, A Dhaoine Uaisle, Agus a Dhaoine Óga agus a Dhaltaí Scoile ach go háirithe, Tugann sé ardú croí dom na mílte dalta scoile ó cheann ceann na tíre, agus a múinteoirí, a fheiceáil le chéile anseo ar fód beannaithe Pháirc an Chrócaigh. Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, tá áthas orm a bheith anseo chun an ócáid speisialta seo a roinnt libh, ócáid inar féidir linn smaoineamh siar ar an stair agus ar thábhacht siombailí bhunaidh an Stát, Bratach na hÉireann agus Forógra Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916. Tá súil agam go mbeidh cuimhní na hócáide shollúnta seo ag gach aon duine óg atá anseo ar maidin mar chuireadh chun ionspioráid a ghlacadh ón phaisean, ón misneach agus ó ardmhían fial na tírghráthóirí Éireannacha a tháinig romhainn, agus go dtógfaidh sibh an cúram oraibh féin Éire na todhchaí a shamhlú. It is so impressive to see pupils from hundreds of schools across Ireland come together to share in this very special occasion. Today each of your schools will receive two important symbols of our Irish nation – the Tricolour and the 1916 Proclamation. Today we will recall the ideas, the hopes, the dreams, of those men and women from our past who decided to fight for the freedom of Ireland. We will reflect, together, on what it was that motivated around a thousand women and men to take part in the Rising of Easter 1916 – some of them, members of the Fianna, or boys from Patrick Pearse’s school, Saint Enda’s, who were no older than those of you who are in fifth and sixth year.
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