Flag that flew over Catalpa Fenian jailbreak to go on display

The National Museum of Ireland will exhibit the flag next month to mark the 150th anniversary of the daring April 1876 Fenian raid in Western Australia

Textile conservator Lorna Rowley working on the flag of the Catalpa. The National Museum of Ireland said the historic flag 'illustrates the importance of the Irish-American community and their support for Irish independence'. Picture: NMI 

The flag of a ship used in a daring rescue of six Fenian prisoners in Australia will go on public view next month to mark the 150th anniversary of the jailbreak.

The Catalpa whaling ship was used when six Fenian leaders — including two from Cork and one Limerick man — were broken out of custody in Fremantle in Western Australia in April 1876.