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Easter Rising: Enniskillen museum loans Irish Citizen Army flag to Dublin

The green flag was placed over Liberty Hall on Palm Sunday 1916 - a week before the Rising
The green flag was placed over Liberty Hall on Palm Sunday 1916 - a week before the Rising The green flag was placed over Liberty Hall on Palm Sunday 1916 - a week before the Rising

AN Irish Citizen Army flag flown over Liberty Hall and later retrieved from the ruins of the building after the Easter Rising has been loaned back to Dublin.

Research and analysis has indicated the green flag with the uncrowned yellow harp is the same one that James Connolly asked to be placed over Liberty Hall on Palm Sunday 1916 - a week before the Rising.

The flag was later retrieved by Royal Inniskilling Fusilier, Acting Corporal John McAlonen (21) from the ruins of Liberty Hall, headquarters of the Irish Citizen Army.

The flag was presented to the Inniskillings Museum in 1935 by Colonel John McClintock - the commanding officer of the 3rd Inniskillings reserve battalion who were part of an Ulster Composite Battalion sent to quell the Rising.

The flag was officially presented to President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday.

Textile conservator Rachel Phelan said the flag was "one of the most exciting discoveries to come to light".

"As it has never been exposed to the light, the strength of the colours are as strong as 100 years ago and the flag would have been clearly visible along the quays," she said.

Inniskillings Museum curator Neil Armstrong said it was honoured to loan the flag.

"I hope the exhibiting of the flag will set our collection in context and generate fresh perspectives as history is full of contrasts, and Easter Week 1916 is no exception," he said.