banner / Bolands Mills, alleged, 1916

Flag alleged to have been at Bolands Mill in 1916. Given to Mr P. Ward by the son-in-law of 2nd Lt. Andrew Balfour Cumming (Black Watch, Royal Highlanders). Cumming had been one of the troops guarding de Valera after the surrender in 1916. The flag, however, almost certainly did not fly over Bolands in 1916 and was more likely a stage item and may have been taken in the course of a raid on a nationalist hall or meeting place. The flag itself is 4 foot by 6 foot 6 inches in green poplin with a scene, depicting a seated wolfhound against a background of a sun rising above a mountain range - a round tower to left - all reflected as it were in a lake below. Above this scene on either side is a scroll also in oils which was obviously prepared for a slogan or an organisational name which was never added.;