For the first time in more than a decade, the Irish flag is flying outside Town Hall as part of the city's St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While, traditionally, the flag had previously been flown annually on March 17, it has been some time since the Irish tricolour was displayed so prominently.
Leading up to this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations, the Ballarat and District Irish Association worked with the City of Ballarat to ensure the flag could be flown on Sturt Street today.
BDIA president Brian Shanahan said the symbolic gesture was a formal recognition of the contribution of the Irish community to Ballarat's history, including the St John of God nuns and Peter Lalor.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"It's good to have it... very graciously recognised by the Mayor Daniel Moloney and the council who agreed to do it.
"It was a tradition some years ago apparently that it had fallen into disuse so it's good to bring it back."
Mr Shanahan said the city's Irish roots still run deep.
"There's still some migration to Ballarat by people from Ireland. I think they run very deep, I think they haven't been nurtured if you'd like to say," he said.
Cr Moloney said it had been more than a decade since the Irish flag was flown on St Patrick's Day.
"We think it's actually probably been more than a decade since we last did it and it's just been unfortunately something that's been a bit lost and it's a pity because the Irish played such a massive role in Ballarat's history," he said.
"From the days of even Peter Lalor, who was one of our most famous Irishmen, and they were so prolific on the goldfields at that time and brought all their rebellious, democratic nature to the city and it's something that's still reverberates today."
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
