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Receiving the Irish flag from Sgt Denis McGarry were Blennerville National School pupils, Issac Price and Tomas O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
IT was Blennerville National School’s turn to receive a tricolour and the Proclamation of Independence to mark the 100 year commemoration of the 1916 rising next year.
Delivering the momentous gifts were Sergeant Denis McGarry and Gunner Paul Moynihan from the Irish Army.
Over the past number of months, members of the Irish Defence Forces have distributed handmade tricolours and a copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic to more than 3,000 national schools across Ireland.
While at the schools, Sgt McGarry spoke to the children about the history and importance of our national flag.
During the visit the children got a chance to quiz Sgt McGarry about the 1916 centenary and the army.
Some of the questions included “how many guns do you have?” and other war and weapon-related queries while there were more unusual ones like “are guns made out of fruit and vegetables?” and, oddly, “have you ever seen a cat?”
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Blennerville National School pupils, Jaden Efegbare, Diarmuid Griffin, Daniel Moriarty, Josh O’Sullivan, Michael Dooley and Oisin Tobin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Blennerville National School pupils, from left: Ella Breen, Grace O’Brien, Aoibhinn Corridon and Molly O’Neill. Photo Gavin O’Connor.
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Blennerville National School pupils, from left: Sarah Brett, Mark O’Brien, Siobhan O’Sullivan and Sean O’Donnell. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Sgt Denis McGarry and Gnr Paul Moynihan leave Blennerville National School after handing over a tricolour and the proclamation of independence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Gnr Paul Moynihan, speaks to Blennerville National School pupils. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Sgt Denis McGarry speaks to Blennerville National School pupils. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Sgt Denis McGarry speaks to a Blennerville pupil. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Sgt Denis McGarry speaking to a Blennerville National School pupils. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Blennerville National School pupils during a talk given by the two Irish Army men about 1916. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Sixth class pupil, Molly O’Neill, was chosen to read out the Proclamation of Independence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
