A Sinn Féin-supported initiative to remove hundreds of Irish tricolours from telegraph poles in west Tyrone was launched yesterday (Sunday).
Greencastle Community Initiative issued the appeal to take down the flags from 'unofficial' flagpoles in the area on Sunday afternoon.
The initiative, called Raising the Flag, urges people who want to fly the tricolour to "do the job right".
"We no longer feel it is appropriate for the flag of our nation to be flown up on telegraph poles and left to deteriorate into rags," a spokesperson said.
"It is neither environmentally friendly, nor a dignified means of expressing our national identity.
"It is our view that all flags should be flown on proper flagpoles and displayed on dates to mark significant historical occasions and cultural ev- ents of local and national interest."
At Sunday's launch, a sign outlining the history and rules behind the flying of the Irish flag was placed at Greencastle crossroads alongside a stone to mark the townland of Seisceann Siuil.
More than 200 people turned out to hear guest speakers including West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Barry McElduff.
Mr McElduff commended the people of Greencastle for their "sense of Irishness and patriotism in the true sense."
"Sinn Féin commends this initiative and I am very pleased to be associated with it. I have spoken to party colleagues including councillors Sean Clarke and Sean Begley about rolling out this initiative to other parts of the country."
