'Where's the tricolour and Longford flags?' Council responds to partnership criticism
Longford County Council has confirmed that “the Irish Tricolour, the European Union flag, and the flag of Hungary will be flown at Áras an Chontae from July onwards.”
A photograph taken outside the Longford County Council offices to mark the county’s partnership with Hungary as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency, has prompted questions and comments from members of the public.
The image, which showed the Hungarian flag flying outside Áras an Chontae, led people to question why the Longford and Irish tricolour flags were not flying alongside it at the time, particularly given that the event in question was to mark a partnership.
As part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, each county is paired with an EU Member State, with Longford’s being Hungary. The photo in question was taken at an official flag-raising ceremony at Áras an Chontae to mark the partnership.
When asked for a response to the online comments and criticism regarding the absence of the flags, the council replied, “Longford County Council can confirm that the Irish Tricolour, the European Union flag and the flag of Hungary will be flown at Áras an Chontae from July onwards. This reflects Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union and recognises County Longford's partnership with Hungary.”
Longford Library and Cultural Services will now lead an exciting programme of events that will see communities across the county explore the shared traditions and connections between Ireland and Hungary through storytelling, heritage, music, landscape and food.
Upcoming events include a Rubik’s Cube tournament, a Hungarian-themed element during October’s Halloween parade in Longford town, as well as a range of activities taking place with schools and libraries.
Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme