Declan Pendred newly elected President of the Irish Naval Association invited guest at the commemoration in Waterford Sunday 10th March 2013

The Irish Flag (Tri-Colour) was raised for the very first time at 33 The Mall on the 7th of March 1848 in Waterford City by Young Irelander, US Army Brigadier General and First Governor of Montana, Thomas Francis Meagher. The 1848 Tricolour Celebration is a commemoration of this major event in Irish history. On April 15th 1848, Meagher presented the flag to Dublin announcing "The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green', and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood." One of the key aims of the celebration is to commemorate Meagher’s vision of peace and equality for Ireland. As this is one of the first events of National significance within ‘The Gathering’ concept, we have traced the last direct descendent of Thomas Francis Meagher, Mr Gilbert Meagher who will be the first descendent to return to Waterford City. During his attendance he will present Thomas Francis Meagher’s Battle sword to Waterford’s Museum of Treasures. Other guests include members of the Thomas Francis Meagher division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Officers & men of the 69th Regiment from New York, of which Meagher was a founder. An Irish and French Naval vessel will also attend for the weekend.