In Pictures: Historic Irish flag raising in Laois at Portlaoise Prison

The Irish Prison Service and Irish Defence Forces held special events in Portlaoise to mark the 175th anniversary of the first raising of the Irish Tricolour. 

The Tricolour, which was first raised on March 7, 1848 in Waterford, was designed to represent all of the people of Ireland. Prison Officers and solders raised the flag with the assistance of Portlaoise scouts as ceremonies on March 7, 2023 outside Portlaoise Prison. To see more pictures - TAP NEXT or ARROW - TO READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT SEE BELOW PICTURE.

The first event on the day saw the Tricolour raised by members of the Portlaoise Prison Guard of Honour and simultaneously, the military detachment at Portlaoise Prison will raise the Tricolour from the roof of the prison.

A second event in front of the prison later in the day saw Portlaoise Scouts present the Tricolour and help raise the flag at the main gate area with the assistance of the Prison Guard of Honour.

Both flagpoles have been specially fitted with lighting for the occasion to signify and acknowledge that the Tricolour first flew both day and night not alone in Waterford in 1848 but also at the GPO in 1916.

The flags will fly illuminated over the Prison and at the main gate area until St Patrick's Day. It’s hoped the event will become an annual tradition at Portlaoise Prison