Lets break the rules here and print a PR from our key member Ann Cusack and her links to Thomas Francis Meagher Recognition befitting a National Patriot – Thomas Francis Meagher. The 1848 Tricolour Celebration committee are delighted with the Waterford City & County Council decision to name the “new” N25 bridge in honour of one of Waterford’s, Ireland’s and the United States of America’s national patriot, Thomas Francis Meagher. Ann Cusack, Chair of the 1848 committee commented, “We are absolutely thrilled that the Council supported the motion, submitted by the Mayor of the City and County, Cllr James Tobin, to name the new bridge that spans the River Suir as The Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge. We also acknowledge the full support from Kilkenny Council in this process. The original idea of naming the bridge developed from the very first event way back in 2011. When Cian Foley and James Doherty first explored the conception of an event to celebrate the fact that the green, white and orange Tricolour, now world recognised as our national flag, originated from a man born in Waterford City. A man who would later in life become a true real life hero of the American Civil War, a friend of President Abraham Lincoln and Governor of Montana. To see the realisation of that concept is just cause for all those involved in giving up literally hundreds of hours of free time to finally see the bridge named, The Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge. The committee, passed and current, have now created an international event that takes place in the first weekend in March of every year. As we are about to celebrate our 5th event we have seen the importance of the celebration grow exponentially every year. Our celebration continues to be supported by a number of Ambassadors and Embassies from the US, Canada, France, Australia, and the UK. Such is the importance of Thomas Francis Meagher to the US 69th Infantry Division (New York), or the Fighting 69th as it has become known due to the Meagher connection, that every year a high level delegation come to Waterford to celebrate the raising of the first ever Tricolour, by Thomas Francis Meagher, on 7th March 1848, at 33 The Mall. Members of the Committee and members of the Naval Service Reserve (Waterford City) have travelled to New York on two occasions, to take part in St.Patrick’s Day events and lay a wreath at Ground Zero. On the strength of this close relationship we have successfully promoted Waterford City and County as a US Civil War tourism destination. We hope that the people of Waterford, the region and further afield will join us this year in celebrating the event from 6th to 8th March 2015. There will be a gala dinner in honour of Thomas Francis Meagher, in The Granville Hotel (birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher), on Saturday 7th March and the Tricolour flag raising ceremony takes place on the Mall, on Sunday 8th March.” The 1848 Tricolour Celebrations is supported by Waterford City & County Council and the Department of Defence. Further information on the 2015 and 2016 event can be found on 1848tricolour or through social media on facebook/1848Tricolour The 1848 committee is represented by; (Chairperson) Ann Cusack (Committee) James Doherty, Eddie Mulligan, Michael Garland, Janet Carey, Paul Dower, Jonathan Brazil, John Wells, Mags Durand O’Connor, (Secretary) Ann Marie Coughlan.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:06:26 +0000
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