"Flags and anthems won't be scrapped"

December 04, 2016

Roscommon and Down flags fly either side of the national flag at Glennon Bros Pearse Park, Longford.
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail has set the record straight regarding comments he made about the playing of anthems and the flying of flags at GAA venues.

During the week, the Cavan man gave the impression that a change to these long standing traditions may be required post-Brexit.

However, he clarified his comments when speaking to RTÉ Radio's Saturday Sport: "Flags and anthems won't be scrapped - and that is for sure.

"I was asked a question in the context of World GAA and the question I was asked was when we go around the world our flag flies happily alongside the flags of every nation. 

"They will remain very strongly part of our culture and games, both in Ireland and around the world.

"It never causes an issue anywhere. A journalist simply asked me about that. I said there was no issue with the flag flying around the world, the only place where it has ever caused some issues is back in our own country.

"I was asked a further question from a journalist, would the GAA change its position at home regarding flying the flag and playing the anthem? I replied we wouldn't, that it was very much part and parcel of our culture, it was very much valued by us and that it was a key part of our heritage and it will remain. 

"I did offer the opinion, that who knows what may happen in the future. We all aspire to, certainly within the GAA, to a new unified Ireland, it is something that we would welcome, it is something that we would be very happy to see happening. 

"In those new political realities which hopefully will happen, who knows what may happen in the future? That was very much in the realms of speculation as to a new future.

"As of now, flags and anthems are a very precious part of our culture and games. They will remain very strongly part of our culture and games, both in Ireland and around the world."


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