Richard Hogan: I'll never forget my first experience of prejudice - I was wearing my Irish jersey

Thankfully, the tricolour is returning to its original meaning. On the 16th of March we will celebrate ‘Flag Day’

The tricolour is returning to its original meaning thanks to incredible moments like the peace process but also to the hard work of organisations like the ‘Thomas Meagher Foundation’.

I was ten years old when I first experienced the concept of prejudice. We were on our annual holiday to France. On the first day at the beach I made friends with a kid from Northern Ireland. It was during ‘Euro 88’. Ray Houghton had recently sent the nation into delirium by sticking the ball in the English net. 

Later that evening, Ireland were set to play Russia. I still remember the excitement of getting ready to watch the match. There was a kind of optimism in the air I hadn’t experienced before about being Irish. A sense that we can achieve things. like most of the country, I was sporting my tricolour t-shirt for the occasion.