1916 GPO flag sold for €600,000

A flag believed to have flown over the GPO during the 1916 Easter Rising has been sold for €600,000.

The tricolour is believed to have flown beside the more prominent green flag that was erected above the building during the failed uprising 90 years ago.

It went on auction as part of a major sale of historic memorabilia in Dublin yesterday, but failed to reach its sale price.

Today, the auctioneer said it had received a €600,000 offer from an unnamed bidder who would be keeping the flag in Ireland.