'Give flags to schools to mark Easter Rising'

Every primary school in Ireland should be given a Tricolour and flag to mark the 90th anniversary of the Easter 1916 Rising next month, Government TD Tom McEllistrim said tonight.

The TD, whose grandfather fought in the War of Independence, said pupils should be reminded of their history and take pride in it.

The Kerry North representative said: “The Tricolour is a deeply symbolic flag. Its colours capture our nation’s past and the prospect of a lasting peace forged by the Good Friday Agreement.

“Our younger generation should be constantly reminded of Ireland’s national identity and take pride in her history.”

Civic education should be a staple of the primary school curriculum so that children can learn about how politics and people have shaped the country, he added.

The 90th anniversary of the Rising will be marked on April 16 with a military parade through central Dublin.

Fianna Fail’s founder, former Taoiseach and President Eamon de Valera, granted constitutional status upon the Tricolour in 1937.

Although the flag of the Easter 1916 Rising was green with a harp, the Tricolour became the emblem of Irish nationalism and later the official flag.

The Tralee-based former teacher said he will raise the issue with the Education Minister Mary Hanafin.