Co Kildare schools to get free Irish flag to mark 1916 Rising

Primary schools in Co Kildare will get a free national flag in coming weeks as part of a nationwide initiative to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

Members of the Defence Forces will distribute a handmade Tricolour and a copy of the proclamation to pupils across the county.

St Patrick's National School in Islandeady in Co Mayo was selected as the first school to be presented with the national flag.

A ceremony at each of the estimated 3,300 schools will see members of the Army, Air Corps and Navy raise the flag and read the proclamation to pupils and teachers.

They will also give background information on the symbolism of the Tricolour and the etiquette attached to its display and storage.

Kids will also be encouraged to research their own family history back 100 years and see what their ancestors were doing around the time of the Rising.

The initiative will culminate with a dedicated Proclamation Day in all schools on March 15 next year.