Historian delivers blow to Waterford as he reveals the tricolour "did not first fly in the City"

A big blow has been delivered to the people of Waterford as a local historian has come out to say that the Tricolour "did not first fly" in the Déise. 

It's understood across Ireland that Thomas Francis Meagher, a Waterford native, flew the Irish flag for the first time at 33 The Mall in 1848.

This moment has been a key part of both Waterford and Ireland's history; however, it seems this story may be a myth, or at least misconstrued. 

John Crotty, a local historian, has written in his latest piece of work, 'The Irish Tricolour - The Truth behind the Symbols and Struggles that Defined a Nation', that the history of the Tricolour got relayed incorrectly in the 1990s.

"My research in this first referenced work on the Irish Tricolour clearly shows it did not first fly in the city, having emerged and been popularised in 1830," John told the Waterford News and Star.

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In his most recent book, the historian explores the origin of the Irish flag along with other key defining symbols of Ireland. 

His research shows the Tricolour was actually first flown in 1830 at Howth Pier in Dublin.

It was at an event to welcome Daniel O’Connell home from London.

Following the revelations that 33 The Mall is not actually the first place the flag was flown, there are now questions regarding what to do with the plaque there. 

It states, "Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher: Originator of the Irish National Tricolour, first flown in Waterford in 1848."

Eugene Broderick, Chairman of Waterford Civic Trust, said the Trust will discuss what action will be taken next.