Dear Sir – G. A. Hayes-McCoy,
The flag depicted in the Photograph is not the original Citizen Army Banner; not the one I knew and handled. But, on the other hand, I have no doubt that the Flag is a genuine one; … that the Sender, when he was British Officer, took it down, or picked it up, from the burning building, kept it safe, and has now kindly and generously returned it to Ireland. I hope you will let him know how grateful you (and I am) are for sending back such a dear Symbol of Ireland’s battle for political freedom in 1916.”
I knew, of course, the man who carried the flag. He was one of three brothers name Espell, I[‘m] nearly sure; three magnificent lads, six foot three or more; but … he found it hard to carry the banner when the wind was blowing moderately, and how he carried it at all, I dont know, just with his hands and arms, without any other aid … I persuaded the [Citizen] Army Committee to allow the expense of a harness, strapped over both shoulders, and having the socket in the middle of the body … so you see I had a lot to do with the flag.
My opinion is (for I remember, or seem to remember) how disappointed most of the C(itizen) A(rmy) Men were that the color (sic) wasnt (sic) green instead of blue; green to them being the one color known to poor oul’ Ireland – that the green aspect of the flag rose from the almost sub-conscious idea that every Irish flag must be necessarily green.
Connolly had a very sentimental attachment and reverence for “our own immortal green” witness his hoisting the green flag with the harp – a beautiful flag by the way – over Liberty Hall
Well, there you have all the information I can give you; and there is nothing to add except that the … flag is a genuine one as being the flag of the C. A. that went out to fight, and so should be precious, and kept safely for display to the generations yet to come.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Sean O’Casey