Flags of hope fly in Belfast

Flags are often a focus for division in Northern Ireland, but Belfast students have changed this forever.

Year 9 students at St Patrick’s College in north Belfast joined with peers from Ashfield High School in East Belfast to produce a special flag display, supported by the Thomas Devlin Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Special flags were produced by the students in each school, under the guidance of artist Raymond Watson.

The flags produced by the students now fly side by aside as bunting around each school.

A special ceremony to unveil the Flags of Hope was held at St Patrick’s College on the Antrim Road on Thursday, June 25.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Naomi Long MLA and Northern Ireland Junior Minister Gerry Kelly were on hand to unveil the wonderful flag show.

Thomas Devlin’s mother, Penny Holloway, explained how the idea was born.

She said; “We were looking for a project that would enable young people in Belfast to express their hopes and aspirations for their futures using the medium of art.

“We believed that young people, irrespective of their backgrounds, essentially wanted the same for their futures.

“Local artist Raymond Watson explained the purpose of flag flying in the Himalayas and we all agreed this was a wonderful way for young people to tell everyone their hopes in a colourful and very visual way.

Raymond Watson described his inspirational visit to the Himalayas, which gave inspiration for the Belfast Flags of Hope initiative.

He explained; “I traveled to Darjeeling and the foothills of the Himalayas, where I witnessed a flag flying tradition that was new to me.

“Everywhere I went there was bunting and flags - the practice seemed to be even more popular there than in Northern Ireland!

“But the flags in the Himalayas are about spreading harmony, good will and hopes for a brighter future.

“While standing under the Indian sun, surrounded by tall mountains and villages perched on steep hillsides, I watched these colourful flags and bunting and I thought to myself, ‘This is what flag flying should be and could be about!’”

Mairead Robb, who teaches Art at St Patrick’s College, explained the effect the flags project has had on the school, saying; “This project has been excellent on so many levels, allowing students to examine social and moral issues and explore the various cultures expressed through Art & Design.

“It also embraced the new curriculum, covering many key elements and learning outcomes.

“The whole essence was to help the young people embrace their spirituality and responsibility to themselves and their community.

“This had a great link with the Thomas Devlin project and the moral responsibility our young people should show”.

Support for the Flags of Hope project came from the Thomas Devlin Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

For further information about the Thomas Devlin Fund, click online at www.thomasdevlin.com.