A unique piece of Irish history – the tricolor flag that was flown above the GPO in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising – was handed over on loan to the American Irish Historical Society (AIHS) in New York last night (Wed). The flag will go on display at the Fifth Avenue headquarters of the AIHS, and will be a focal point for American celebrations in the run-up to the centenary of the Rising.
The treasured artifact, which is insured for $1m, is the only full-sized tricolor of the 1916 Rising in existence. The linen flag is accompanied by a note confirming its provenance. It reads “Captured by British Troops at GPO DUBLIN, April 1916 and given to Dr. George St. George by an old War veteran, Sergt. Davis” The doctor’s family later presented it to the family of John Sweetman, a renowned nationalist and one of the founders of Sinn Fein, who have had it in their possession ever since.
“The family are delighted to have this important icon of Irish history displayed in the AIHS in New York,” said Ian Whyte, of Whyte’s Auction House, who represented the family as the flag was formally handed over to President-General of the AIHS Kevin M Cahill in New York last night. “The other flag that flew over the GPO during the Rising is in the National Museum of Ireland, and it is fitting that this tricolour is now in the USA, home to over forty million people of Irish descent."
Chris Cahill, executive director of the AIHS said the society was approached by Whyte’s with a view to taking the flag on loan, after it failed to sell at auction in New York in March 2010, despite bids of up to $400,000. “We’re very proud to have it here,” he said, “In a different world, if we had the resources, we would love to own it. It would fit very well with other items we have on collection here, including an original copy of the Proclamation. If any of your readers want to purchase it and donate it to the Society, we’d be delighted to accept it!” he added.
The tricolor was one of two flags that flew above the GPO as Padraig Pearse read out the proclamation declaring the Republic of Ireland. The other was a solid green flag emblazoned with a harp and “Irish Republic” written across it in gold. That one is now on display at the National Museum of Ireland. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the tricolor flying above the GPO for several days after the surrender of the leaders of the Rising – possibly because British Forces were unaware of its significance at the time. It makes the flag particularly important historically.
The American Irish Historical Society, a centre for Irish culture, literature and learning founded in 1897, plans to put the tricolor on display immediately on a temporary basis. It will then form part of several exhibitions planned between now and 2016.
