Imeachtaí Comóraidh

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Questions (566)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

566. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt an bhfuil sé ar an eolas i dtaobh cad a tharla don bhratach, nó cá bhfuil an bhratach, a bhí ar foluain ar an long Catalpa le linn na heachtra agus í agus an criú ag saoradh seisear Fíníní Míleata óna bpríosúnacht i gCarcair Fremantle in Iarthar na hAstráile agus á dtógáil slán go Nua Eabhrac, SAM, in 1876, agus ar bratach í a bhronn duine d’Óglaigh 1916, Joe Clarke, ar Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann thar ceann Chlann na nGael Philidelphia, SAM, i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 1972 le bheith ar taispeáint mar chuid den bhailiúchán náisiúnta [17152/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

I am advised by the National Museum of Ireland that the flag to which the Deputy refers, forms part of its Historic Flags and Banners Collection and is preserved within the national collection. The flag of the whaling ship Catalpa, which had been purchased and outfitted by Clan na Gael in the United States to carry out the rescue, bears 36 hand-sewn stars and was the official United States flag in use from 4 July 1865 to 4 July 1867.

The Museum has confirmed that the flag was formally donated by the Clan na Gael (Philadelphia Branch) on 5 October 1972 and remains in its care. The items selected for display in the museum would be a matter for the National Museum. As with all items in the national collection, the flag is safeguarded by the Museum’s professional standards for conservation and collections management policies.