If you are calculating the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue that standout day is today, Thursday April 16.
That is if you are in New York, Boston, New Bedford, anywhere in the United States, or indeed in Ireland.
If you are in Fremantle, Western Australia, the anniversary is April 17.
Either way both days are anniversary days.
And to mark the century and a half since the daring rescue of six Fenian prisoners serving time in an antipodean penal colony the flag of the Catalpa is going on public display at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks in Dublin.
On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th the ship’s flag, which played a decisive role in the success of the rescue mission, will go on display in the Palatine Room at Collins Barracks.
This will be the first public exhibition of the flag since it was donated to the National Museum in October 1972, said a release.
The release continued: "The flag, which measures 4.5 x 3 metres and bears 36 hand-sewn stars, is the largest flag in the national collection. It was the official flag of the United States of America between 4th July 1865 and 4th July 1867 and was the flag of the Catalpa at the time of the Fenian rescue in 1876.
"It is one of the last remaining artifacts of the historic prison break that took place in Western Australia 150 years ago, between 17th and 19th April 1876, when six Fenian leaders were rescued aboard the US whaling ship, known as the Catalpa.
"James Wilson, Thomas Darragh, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett, and Robert Cranston, were among 62 Irish Republican Brotherhood leaders and supporters transported to Fremantle in Western Australia in the aftermath of the Fenian uprising of 1867.
"By 1875, while most had been released, these men were still incarcerated at the penal colony in Fremantle.
"John Devoy, leader of Clan na Gael in New York, and John Boyle O’Reilly and Thomas McCarthy Fennell, who had been imprisoned in Fremantle, initiated the rescue of the prisoners by arranging the purchase of the Catalpa and its re-fitting as a whaling ship to send to Western Australia to bring the Fenians to the United States.
"In April 1876, after 11 months, the Catalpa, under the command of Captain George Anthony, arrived at Western Australia and awaited the escapees.
"As the six Fenians finally boarded the Catalpa, the Georgette, a ship of the British authorities in Fremantle, gave chase, threatening to fire on the Catalpa unless the crew surrendered the prisoners.
"When Captain Anthony raised the ship’s US flag and warned the Georgette that they would be firing on the United States of America, the Georgette returned to Fremantle to avoid an international incident and the Catalpa returned safely to New York."
Patrick O’Donovan, the Irish government's Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, said: “The Catalpa rescue is a significant moment in the history of the fight for Irish independence. It is also symbolic of the important role Irish American relations played in its success and timely, given the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
“There are celebrations happening globally for this event, including programmes that my Department is supporting through the local authority network in Kildare and Dublin, and with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Rockingham, Australia, where the prisoners escaped from.
"I am very pleased that my Department could also support the National Museum of Ireland so that members of the public can now view this storied flag at Collins Barracks as we mark the 150th anniversary of the rescue mission.”
Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History, National Museum of Ireland, said: “This is a really evocative piece of history that we’re putting on display for the public. The Catalpa rescue mission is one of the most celebrated prison breaks of this era and an important milestone in the fight for Irish independence, with its success boosting confidence in and support for the cause in both Ireland and the United States of America.
“To have the original flag from the historic mission under the care of the National Museum is a real honour and privilege and we are delighted to be able to share this piece of history with the public this month.”
Dr Éimear O'Connor, Interim Director and Director of Collections and Access, National Museum of Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to showcase the Catalpa flag to the public to mark the 150th anniversary of the historic Fenian rescue in Western Australia.
"It is the largest flag in the national collection, and its size and delicate condition prevents it from being shown in standard gallery spaces, but it will be on display in the Palatine Room for two days to mark the anniversary, making this a rare opportunity for the public to view this important historic object in person.”
