The 40cm square handkerchief is said to have been flown by Captain Michael William O'Reilly from 16 Moore Street in Dublin (Credit: Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers)

Easter Rising 'flag of truce' to be sold at auction

· RTE.ie

What is believed to be the original 'flag of truce' shown during the surrender on Moore Street in the 1916 Rising will be auctioned later.

The 40cm square handkerchief is said to have been flown by Captain Michael William O'Reilly from 16 Moore Street in Dublin.

It will be auctioned by Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.

Director of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers George Fonsie Mealy said the flag is expected to sell for between €10,000 to €15,000.

Mr Mealy said it belonged to a private collector and "it formed part of the collection which was given by Captain William O'Reilly before his death".

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said the vendor thinks the flag should be "available for public consumption" given its significance.

On the authenticity of the flag, Mr Mealy said that Capt O'Reilly included the information in his military report on the 1916 Rising.

Mr Mealy said that the price is probably not reflective of its importance.

"It is significant in its simplicity. It's symbolic of Irish history. It represents probably one of the most important events in modern Irish history," he added.

Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe said that he does not know if the State is going to buy the flag but "this is far too important to let slip into a private collection".

"I feel it's the real deal. I think we should be acquiring it for the State. There are advanced plans to develop the Moore Street site into a visitor historic site in the city centre," he said.

"It's pricey, and yet when you compare it to what it means for the country, it's not all that expensive for the State. I hope they will buy it. I don't know. The minister is keeping his cards, and that of his department officials, close to his chest," Mr Crowe said.

"This should be something that the public get to see for many, many years to come and I think Moore Street, which will be redeveloped and reopened, should be the site where we get to view this," he added.