List of flags of Ireland

Last updated

Three flags in Ardmore, County Waterford: the county colours of County Waterford, the Irish tricolour, and the Flag of Munster. Flags of Waterford, Ireland, Munster.jpg
Three flags in Ardmore, County Waterford: the county colours of County Waterford, the Irish tricolour, and the Flag of Munster.

This is a list of flags which have been, or are still today, used in Ireland.

Contents

Island of Ireland

The following flags have been used to represent the island of Ireland as a whole, either officially or unofficially.[ citation needed ]

FlagDateUseDescription
1386–1542The heraldic banner of the Lordship of Ireland was based on its coat of arms. The earliest depiction of the 'triple crown' motif is found on the arms granted by Richard II to Robert de Vere as Lord of Ireland in 1386. "They were borne, apparently as the arms of Ireland, in the funeral procession of Henry IV in 1413. They appear as a device on the Irish coinage of Edward IV (1461–83), Richard III (1483–85), Henry VII (1485–1509), and the pretender, Lambert Simnel (1487). Edward IV specified them as the Irish arms in an indenture of 1483". [1] The 'triple crown' motif has been traditionally associated with St. Edmund, the Saxon king of East Anglia (855–869) who is today one of the patron saints of England. The flag of East Anglia was a St. George's Cross with a blue coat of arms featuring three gold crowns – visually similar to the arms of the province of Munster. In his work 'Vicissitudes of Families', Bernard Burke, the Ulster King of Arms, proposed that St. Edmund's Banner was borne during the Norman Invasion of Ireland. A section of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin is dedicated to St. Edmund, although his iconography is not displayed.The banner of the Lordship of Ireland was based on the arms and feature three golden crowns ordered vertically on a blue background with a white border. It is blazoned: "Azure, three crowns in pale Or, bordure Argent."
Royal Standard of Ireland (1542-1801).svg 1542–1801Standard of the Kingdom of Ireland. From 1801 has been incorporated in the lower-left quadrant of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom A silver stringed gold harp on a blue field.
Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.svg 1821–1922Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This was granted in 1821, by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty under royal warrant, "to prevent the Inconvenience experienced for want of a flag distinguishing the presence of the Lord Lieutenant on board His Majesty's ships". [2] The flag became defunct when the office was abolished by the Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act 1922.The flag of the United Kingdom defaced with the coat of arms of Ireland.
St Patrick's saltire.svg 1783–presentThe St. Patrick's Saltire, also known as the Cross of St Patrick, after Saint Patrick, the main patron saint of Ireland. "The Saltire became an established Irish symbol in 1783 with the founding of the Order of Saint Patrick by King George III to mark the legislative independence of the Kingdom of Ireland which lasted from 1783 to 1801. The Saltire is believed to derive from the arms of the FitzGeralds who were the Earls of Kildare and later Dukes of Leinster. Incidentally, Kildare County Council uses the Saltire on its coat of arms, as do Cork City and Trinity College Dublin, that both feature two flags – St. George's Cross and St. Patrick's Saltire. The flags of Queen's University Belfast and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland use the symbol and it can also be found on the badge of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)". [3] The flag has been used for almost 30 years by local authorities in Downpatrick for St. Patrick's Day. In addition, Church of Ireland flies this flag on special religious days throughout the island. While the saltire represents Ireland on the flag of the United Kingdom, this use is disputed by some Irish nationalists who have described the saltire as an "1800 English invention [..] for a people who had never used it". [4] [1] :38The Saint Patrick's Saltire features a red saltire on a white field. In heraldry these arms are blazoned: "Argent, a saltire gules".
Flag of Leinster (bright).svg
Green harp flag of Ireland.svg
1642–presentThe green harp flag of the 17th century Confederacy of Ireland and an unofficial flag of Ireland during the 18th and 19th century. Variants have been used as the basis for numerous flags of Ireland. It was used by the Irish team at the 1930 British Empire Games.A silver-stringed gold cláirseach harp on a green field.
Four Provinces Flag.svg ???–presentThe Four Provinces Flag of Ireland. This flag, and variants of it, have been used by various all-Ireland sports teams and cultural organisations.The arms of the four provinces of Ireland are shown in quadrants. The order in which the arms appear varies.

Northern Ireland

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Governor of Northern Ireland (1922-1973).svg 1922–1973Personal flag of the governor of Northern Ireland.A Union Jack defaced with the coat of arms of Northern Ireland.
Flag of Northern Ireland (1924-1953).svg
Ulster Banner.svg
1924–1972The Ulster Banner , also known as the Ulster flag or the Red Hand of Ulster flag, was the flag of the Government of Northern Ireland between 1924 and 1972. It was also adopted as an unofficial flag for Northern Ireland itself in 1953, in honour of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The flag was based on the arms that were granted to the Government of Northern Ireland in 1924 by the Ulster King of Arms based in Dublin Castle. The flag lost its official status in 1972 when the Parliament of Northern Ireland was abolished by the British government and since then there has been no 'official flag' for Northern Ireland. However, internationally, the flag is still used officially for sporting fixtures and events, such as the Commonwealth Games and by FIFA to represent the Northern Ireland national football team. Internally, the flag continues to be used by a number of local authorities and remains a divisive issue as it is mainly a symbol of Ulster loyalism. [3] The flag is a heraldic banner and features the Red Hand of Ulster, a six-pointed star for the six counties of Northern Ireland and the British Crown on a St. George's Cross.
Government Ensign of Northern Ireland (1929-1973).svg 1929–1973Ensign of the former Northern Ireland government.The blue ensign defaced with the letters GNI. Used on vessels of the Northern Ireland government.

Republic of Ireland

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Ireland.svg 1922–present Flag of Ireland A tricolour, with three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white and orange; (the green symbolises Catholicism, the white Peace and the orange Protestantism, therefore the flag represents peace between Catholics and Protestants). This is the flag and ensign of Ireland.
Flag of the President of Ireland.svg 1945–presentThe standard of the president of Ireland was adopted in 1945, after the establishment of the Office of the President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann) in 1937. "This flag was approved by the Government on 13 February 1945. A number of technical decisions were made at the same time, including the decision that... the strings of the harp be yellow (in settlement of the question raised by Edward MacLysaght, who had insisted that the strings should be white)". [5] The Presidential Standard was introduced prior to the inauguration of Ireland's second President Seán T. O'Kelly and therefore, it was raised at Áras an Uachtaráin in the presence of President Douglas Hyde on 24 May 1945, a month before the inauguration of his successor on 25 June 1945. [3] The standard is flown over Áras an Uachtaráin and on vehicles used by the president. The flag is never flown at half mast and never takes precedence over the flag of Ireland.The flag features a blue field and a gold harp with 14 diagonal golden strings.

Defence Forces flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval jack of Ireland.svg 1947–presentThe Irish Naval Jack was adopted in 1947 after the establishment of the Naval Service (Ireland) (an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh) in 1946. [1] It is flown at the bow and used to represent Ireland along with the Naval Ensign. The Naval Jack is flown "by Irish Naval Ships at the Jack staff when at anchor, moored, alongside or when under way and dressed with Masthead Ensigns. It is hoisted and half masted at the same time and in like manner as the Naval Ensign." [6] The naval jack of the Naval Service of Ireland features a green field with a gold harp with 14 diagonal golden strings.
Irish Naval Service Colour.svg 1996–presentNaval Service Colour FlagDouble-sided square banner. The primary colour is navy blue on both sides. The obverse side carries the Defence Forces badge at the centre superimposed over a pair of crossed silver foul anchors. The colour is bordered by a two-inch wide gold fringe Naval Service.
Irish Naval Service Flag.svg 1996–presentNaval Service Colour FlagDouble-sided square banner. The primary colour is navy blue on both sides. A navy blue flag containing the state harp at its centre surrounded by a naval knotted rope decoration.Naval Service.

Air Corps

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Irish Air Corps.svg Irish Air Corps FlagComposed of Red and yellow diagonal strips on a blue field with the emblem of Irish Air Corps at its centre, the emblem of Irish Defence forces on upper left and the Air Corps roundel on bottom right. This is the flag of the Irish Airforce Corps.

Army

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of 1st Brigade (Ireland).svg 1966–presentThe Military Colours of the 1st Brigade of the Irish Defence Forces were part of a set of six unit Colours that were designed in 1964. It was originally known as the Southern Command until the reorganisation of the army in 2012. There are now only two Brigades responsible for military operations in Ireland.The Military Colours of the 1st Brigade are a field "divided per bend, or diagonally, yellow above and blue below, with a centrepiece of a stylised ship with a red hull and white sails encircled by a parti-coloured antique crown of yellow and blue. This device is a combination of details of the arms of the province of Munster and the city of Cork." [1] 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' is written across the top, which is the official Irish title for the Defence Forces (Ireland). 'An Cead Briogaid' is written at across the bottom and means '1st Brigade' in Irish. The badge of the Irish Defence Forces is placed in the right-hand corner (fly).
Flag of 2nd Brigade (Ireland).svg 1966–presentThe Military Colours of the 2nd Brigade of the Irish Defence Forces were part of a set of six unit Colours that were designed in 1964 and were the first to be completed. They "were carried for the first time in the army parades and marches which formed part of the Dublin celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the 1916 rising at Easter 1966". [1] The Military Colours of the 2nd Brigade are "divided per pale, or vertically, in two stripes, blue and green. The centrepiece shows a rising sun in yellow, on which are superimposed a flaming tower and a yellow harp device. The sun device is from the Irish Volunteer colours of 1914, the tower is from the arms of the city of Dublin and the harp is from the arms of the province of Leinster". [1] Óglaigh na hÉireann is written across the top, which is the official Irish title for the Irish Defence Forces. 'An Dara Briogaid' is written at across the bottom and means '2nd Brigade' in Irish. The badge of the Irish Defence Forces is placed in the right-hand corner (fly).
Defense Forces Air Defense Regiment Flag (Ireland).svg Air Defence Regiment FlagComposed of an orange flag with a purple emblem of Air Defence Regiment at its centre.
Defense Forces Infantry Flag (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Infantry Corps FlagPurple banner with two crossed rifles at its centre with the word coiste(Infantry) underneath, this is the flag of the Infantry Corps.
Defense Forces Ordnance Corps Flag (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Ordnance Corps FlagA dark red colour flag containing the insignia of the Ordnance Corps at its centre.
Defense Forces Cavalry Corps Flag (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Cavalry Corps FlagA black background flag containing the emblem of the Cavalry Corps at its centre.
Defense Forces Engineer Corps (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Engineer Corps FlagA Yellow coloured background flag containing the emblem of the Engineer Corps at its centre.
Defense Forces Communications and Information Services Corps Flag (Ireland).svg Defence Forces CIS Corps FlagBlue background flag containing the emblem of the CIS Corps at its centre.
Defense Forces Artillery corps (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Artillery Corps FlagOrange flag with white border containing the emblem of the Artillery Corps at its centre.
Defense Forces Medical Corps Flag (Ireland).svg Defence Forces Medical Corps FlagTeal coloured flag with white border containing the emblem of the Medical Corps at its centre.

Defence Force Training Centre (DFTC)

FlagDateUseDescription
Defense Force Training Centre Flag (Ireland).svg The Colours of the Defence Forces Training Centre represent the place "for all Defence Forces training, education and logistical units". [7] The Colours of Defence Forces Training Centre feature a navy field, the shield of the Defence Forces Training Centre in the middle, its name in Irish at the bottom: ‘Airmheán Traenála Óglaigh na hÉireann’ and the badge of the Irish Defence Forces in the right-hand corner (fly). The shield depicts an oak leaf and two acorns. The Training Centre is located at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare. The name Kildare is the anglicised form of the Irish 'Cill Dara', which means 'church of the oak'.

Coast Guard

FlagDateUseDescription
Coast Guard Flag (Ireland).svg Coast Guard FlagWhite background flag containing the emblem of the coast guard at its center, this is the flag of the Irish Coast Guard.

Traditional province flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Ulster.svg Flag of Ulster

The arms of the nine-county province of Ulster form a composite achievement, combining the heraldic symbols of two of that province's best known families, namely the cross of de Burgo and the dexter hand of O Neill (Ua Néill, later Ó Néill) Kings of Ailech and Tír Eoghan.

Flag of Munster.svg Flag of Munster

The province of Munster has been heraldically symbolised by three golden antique crowns on an azure blue shield. A crown of the type now known as antique Irish forms an integral element of a thirteenth-century crozier head found near Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel. In the case of the 'king-bishops' of Cashel, the placing of the antique crown on their crozier was a symbolic assertion of their right to the political sovereignty of Munster.

Flag of Connacht.svg Flag of Connacht

The arms of Connacht use a dimidiated (divided in half from top to bottom) eagle and armed hand. Ruaidhri O'Conchobhair, King of Connacht, is surmised to have been conceded the arms of Schottenklöster for the Irish monastery founded in Regensburg, [8] which approximate to the Connacht Flag of 1651

Flag of Leinster.svg Flag of Leinster

A silver stringed golden harp on a green background. Possibly the oldest and certainly the most celebrated instance of the use of the harp device on a green field was the flag of Owen Roe O'Neill. It is recorded that his ship, the St Francis, as she lay at anchor at Dunkirk, flew from her mast top 'the Irish harp in a green field, in a flag'.

Flag of Mide.svg No history of flag useThe ancient Kingdom of Meath (Mide) was represented by the emblem of a king seated on a throne. There is no history of a flag ever being used, however an emblem was used which derived from iconography rather than classic heraldry. "The old province of Meath, which is nearly coextensive with the present day Diocese of Meath, is heraldically personified by a representation of a royal personage seated on a throne... It is, of course, fitting that Meath, wherein stood Tara, the symbolic site of the Kingship of Ireland, should be shown heraldically by a representation of a royal personage, or majesty, seated on a throne. The arms of Meath were apparently used at one time as the arms of Ireland, i.e. a majesty on a sable (black) background, the provincial arms being displayed on an azure (blue) field". [9] The flag of Mide features a light blue field with a king sitting on a throne. The sceptre and outstretched right hand symbolise sovereignty and justice respectively. Today this emblem is used by the Meath GAA team but not the Meath County Council.

City and town flags

FlagDateUseDescription
IRL Dublin flag.svg 1885–presentThe flag of Dublin City was adopted in 1885 by the Dublin Corporation. In the canton it features 'three burning castles' which are part of the coat of arms of the city that were officially granted in 1607 by the Ulster King of Arms, Daniel Molyneux. The arms was a corruption of the earlier seal of Dublin that featured one castle with three watchtowers on the obverse and a ship on the reverse, whose earliest mention was in 1230. The seal of Dublin was based on the arms of Bristol as King Henry II granted the city to his men of Bristol with the 1171 Charter. This meant that Bristol merchants took control of colonisation of the Dublin city after the Norman invasion of Ireland. [10] The flag is flown over Dublin City Hall, the Mansion House and around the city, both indoors as well as outdoors. It acts as the de facto flag of the Dublin City Council.The flag of Dublin City features a green field with a gold harp and three white two-towered burning castles on a navy canton. The gold harp represents both Ireland and Leinster, while the three burning castles are the lesser coat of arms of the city. Green and blue are the two national colours of Ireland.
Flag of Belfast.svg 1890–presentFlag of Belfast is a heraldic banner that is based on the shield of the coat of arms of the city. The arms were granted in 1890, two years after Belfast was awarded city status by Queen Victoria. Although the banner was adopted in 1890, it has seldom been used. "The precise origins and meanings of the symbols contained on the Coat of Arms are unknown. But images such as the bell, the seahorse, the ship and the chained wolf were all used by 17th-century Belfast merchants on their signs and coinage. The seahorse, which is used twice, shows the maritime importance of Belfast, as does the ship at the base of the shield". [11] The flag of Belfast is a horizontal bicolour of white and light blue. It features a silver bell in a red canton, a triangle of Vair(type of heraldic pattern) and a ship on waves with a Saint Patrick's Saltire as a naval ensign and masthead.
Drogheda Flag.svg 2012–presentThe flag of Drogheda town was adopted by Drogheda Borough Council in 2012 and features a triband of red and black which are considered to be the 'town colours' and the coat of arms of Drogheda town. The exact origins of the arms are obscure due to the records being lost in a fire. Some believe that the 'castle and ship' element on the shield is derived from the arms of Bristol, in the same way as the 13th century Dublin seal. Others feel that the castle represents Saint Laurence Gate, while the ship stands for the river Boyne and Drogheda port. The 'star and crescent' emblem has the same origin as the coat of arms of Portsmouth and is taken from the arms of Richard I of England (Lionheart) who adopted it during the Third Crusade. The three lions 'passant guardant' are also derived from Richard I who began to use the emblem in 1198 to represent his position as King of the English, Duke of the Normans and Duke of the Aquitaines. These emblems honour the king, during whose reign Drogheda was granted its charter in 1194 by Hugh de Lacy. Since the 'Local Government Reform Act 2014' that came into effect from 1 June 2014, Drogheda Borough Council no longer exists and is now part of Louth County Council.The flag is a vertical triband of red-black-red and features the coat of arms of Drogheda in the centre. The town's motto reads: Deus praesidium, mercatura decustranslates, which means "God our strength, merchandise our glory".
Mountains to the Sea Flag.svg 2013–presentThe unofficial flag of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council was adopted in August 2014. It was originally designed and used for Bratacha 2013 – Ireland's first ever 'Festival of Flags and Emblems'. [12] The design concept was based on a combination of the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council emblem, the coat of arms and on a loose translation of the County motto: Ó Chuan go Sliabh, meaning ‘from harbour to mountain’. Today the flag flies every weekend at the County Hall in the town of Dún Laoghaire.The unofficial flag of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council has a yellow field and features a green shamrock with two strokes – green and blue. The green stroke represents the mountains, while the blue one stands for the sea. This reflects the fact that the county is bordered by the Irish Sea and the Wicklow Mountains.
Londonderry flag.svg Apprentice Boys Derry Flag.svg Flags of Derry City The upper flag is simply a banner of arms, with the city arms: Sable a human skeleton Or seated upon a mossy stone proper and in dexter chief a castle triple towered Argent on a chief of the last a cross gules charged with a harp or and in the first quarter a sword erect also gules. The skeleton commemorates the many who starved to death during the Siege of Derry (1688–89). A red flag was hung from St Columb's Cathedral during the siege and a red (or crimson) flag has become a symbol of Protestant identity in the city, [13] used by the Apprentice Boys of Derry, [14] and the "bloody flag" is sometimes described as the flag of the city as well. [15] [16] [17]

Sporting flags

FlagDateUseDescription
IRFU flag.svg 1925–presentFlag of the Irish Rugby Football Union The arms of the four provinces of Ireland emblazoned on a green flag with a shamrock shield at its centre
Flag of Ireland hockey team.svg 2000–presentThe flag of the Irish Hockey Association was adopted in 2000 when the Irish Hockey Union and Irish Ladies Hockey Union merged.The flag features a green field with a coat of arms quartered with the arms of the four provinces of Ireland. The association represents the whole island of Ireland and this is reflected in the flag.
Cricket Ireland flag.svg Flag of the Ireland cricket team Three shamrocks on a blue background.
1911–presentFlag of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association The four provinces shield of Ireland in the centre of a white flag

Ensigns

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the British and Irish Steam Packet Company.svg Flag of the British and Irish Steam Packet Company A red cross outlined in green on a white field.
Flag of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.svg Flag of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company A white cross on a red field with a blue disc containing three flaming-towered castles in the centre of the cross.
Ensign of Clontarf Yacht Club.svg Ensign of the Clontarf Yacht Club A blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a red bull in the fly.
Flag of the Drogheda Steam Packet Company.svg Flag of the Drogheda Steam Packet Company A white crescent moon (facing upward) under a white five-pointed star on a green field.
ShannonErne.svg Erne flagFlown by boats on the Shannon-Erne Waterway, which bisects the Irish border. A horizontal tricolour of green, white and blue.
Ensign of Howth Sailing Club.svg Ensign of the Howth Sailing Club A blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a red anchor in the fly.
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland flag.svg Ensign of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland A light blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a wavy set of stripes in the fly.
1941–1947Flag of Irish Shipping Saint Patrick's saltire surrounded by the initials of the company.
Flag of Irish Shipping Limited.svg 1947–1984Flag of Irish ShippingSaint Patrick's saltire surrounded by the arms of the four provinces.
Ensign of Lough Derg Sailing Club.svg Ensign of the Lough Derg Yacht Club A blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a trio of gold shamrocks in the fly.
Ensign of Malahide YC.svg Ensign of the Malahide Yacht Club A white field with the Irish flag in the canton and a black shield with a good cross in the fly.
National Yacht Club Ensign (Ireland).svg 1945–presentEnsign of the National Yacht Club An azure blue field with a silver harp and the Flag of Ireland in the canton.
Ensign of the National Yacht Club (Ireland) pre-1945.svg pre–1945Ensign of the National Yacht ClubAn azure blue field with a gold harp in the centre.
Ensign of Royal Cork YC.svg Ensign of the Royal Cork Yacht Club A dark blue field with the Irish Flag in the canton and a harp and crown in the fly.
Ensign of the Royal Cork Yacht Club (1801-1948).svg 1801–1948Ensign of the Royal Cork Yacht ClubThe red ensign with the Union Jack defaced in the centre with a green square featuring a gold crown and harp.
Ensign of Royal Irish YC.svg Ensign of the Royal Irish Yacht Club A white field with the Irish Flag in the canton and a harp and crown in the fly.
Ensign of the Royal Irish Yacht Club (Historical).svg 1831–1846Ensign of the Royal Irish Yacht ClubA white field divided by a red St. George's Cross, with a Union Jack in the canton, and a gold harp on a blue background in the lower fly.
Ensign of Royal St. George YC.svg Ensign of the Royal St. George Yacht Club A dark blue field with the Irish Flag in the canton and a Tudor Crown in the fly.
Ensign of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.svg Ensign of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.The blue ensign defaced with the Red Hand of Ulster and St Edward's Crown.
Ensign of Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland.svg Ensign of the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland A dark blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a crown and garland in the fly.
Ensign of Skerries Sailing Club.svg Ensign of the Skerries Sailing Club A blue field with the Irish flag in the canton and a yellow silhouette of a goat's head in the fly.
Green Ensign (1701).svg circa 1701 – post 1800A Green Ensign flown by some Irish merchant vessels.A gold harp on a green background with the English Flag in the canton.
Green Ensign.svg post 1800 – c.1922A later version of the Green Ensign.A gold harp on a green field with the Union Flag in the canton.
Flag of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland (1893-1907).svg 1893–1907Ensign of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland A Blue Ensign with the letters "C.D.B." in red in the fly, with a crown above them and a harp below them.
Flag of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland (1907-1916).svg 1907–1916Ensign of the Congested Districts Board for IrelandA Blue Ensign featuring a harp with a crown above it the fly, with the letter "C" to the left of the crown, the letter "D" above it and the letter "B" to the right of it, all surrounded by a red lozenge.
Flag of the Departement of Agriculture, Ireland (circa 1900-1922).svg circa 1900–1922Ensign of the Department of AgricultureA Blue Ensign with a white disc in the fly containing a smaller blue disc surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks in which there is a harp.

Historical military flags

FlagDateUseDescription
18th Foot colours.jpg 1684–1922Flag of the Royal Irish Regiment (1684–1922) of the British Army. Also known as the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot and the 18th (The Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot
Reg de Berwick 1781.png 1688–1791Flag carried in different variations by the Irish Brigade of the French Armyred and green cross, with motto "In Hoc Signo Vinces"
Uniform and colonel's flag of the Hibernia Regiment.jpg 1710–1815Flag of the Regiment of Hibernia aka the "O'Neill's Regiment" of the Spanish Army
Flag of the Dublin Volunteers.svg 1770s–1780sThe flag of the Dublin Volunteers; a militia unit raised in Ireland during the late 1770s as part of the wider Irish Volunteer movement.Red background featuring the St Patricks Cross (also the arms of the Duke of Leinster, who led the regiment).
Flag of the Ormond Union Cavalry.svg 1770s–1780sThe flag of the Ormond Union Cavalry; a militia unit raised in Ireland during the late 1770s as part of the wider Irish Volunteer movement.Features the motto " Pro aris et focis " ("For God and country")
Flag of the Parsonstown Volunteers.svg 1770s–1780sThe flag of the Parsonstown Volunteers; a militia unit raised in Ireland during the late 1770s as part of the wider Irish Volunteer movement.Features the motto "Vis unita fortior" ("United Strength is Stronger")
86th Foot colours.jpg 1793–1881Flag of the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot of the British Army
Arklowflag.svg 1798Flag carried by the United Irishmen at the Battle of Arklow Green background with white Christian cross and the slogan "Liberty or Death".
Erin Go Bragh Banner.svg 1846–1848The green silk flag of the Saint Patrick's Battalion of the Mexican Army may have incorporated the old Irish Harp flag (illustrated), which may date back to the Irish Confederacy. However, no original depictions are extant, and period descriptions of it differ.Green background with Irish Harp, shamrocks and Motto Erin Go Bragh in Gold
28th Massachusetts Flag historic.jpg 1861–1864Colour of the 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment of the Irish Brigade (US) of the Union ArmyGreen background with Irish Harp and motto Faugh a Ballagh (Clear the Way!)
1861–18642d Irish Color of the 69th Infantry Regiment (New York) of the Irish Brigade (US) of the Union ArmyGreen background with Irish Harp

University flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Trinity College Dublin.svg Flag of Trinity College Dublin A banner of the college's coat of arms.
QUB flag.svg 1910–presentFlag of Queen's University Belfast is a heraldic banner that is based on its coat of arms which were granted on 24 March 1910, two years after the establishment of the university. The arms are similar to those used by the Queen's University of Ireland which existed from 1850 to 1879. [18] The banner is a Saint Patrick's Saltire that features a book, a sea horse, the Red Hand of Ulster, a harp and a British crown. The book stands for the university, the sea horse represents Belfast, the Red Hand is for Ulster, the harp symbolises Ireland and the crown is for the British monarchy. The university's arms are blazoned as: "Per saltire azure and argent, on a saltire gules, between in chief an open book and in base a harp both proper, in dexter a hand couped of the third, and in sinister a sea-horse vert gorged with a mural crown of the fourth, an Imperial crown of the last".
Flag of the University of Dublin.svg Flag of the University of Dublin The flag of the University of Dublin incorporates its coat of arms which were granted in the nineteenth century on a blue field. The flag is flown over Trinity College Dublin on commencements days.
Flag of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.svg Flag of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland A banner of the college's coat of arms.

Organisations

FlagDateUseDescription
Vexillology Ireland Flag.svg 2013–presentFlag of Vexillology Ireland was adopted by the Genealogical Society of Ireland on 4 July 2013. It was first used to represent the society at the 25th International Congress of Vexillology (ICV) in Rotterdam which was held from 4–10 August 2013.The flag features a St. Patrick's blue (Azure) field, a gold (Or) harp with 12 vertical golden strings and a white (Argent) knotted rope (sheet bend) which stands for the International Federation of Vexillological Associations and is also an international symbol for vexillology. The official Pantone colours are: White, Blue 7455, Yellow 7409.
Irish Traveller Movement flag.svg 1990–presentFlag of Irish Traveller Movement

Political flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Green Sunburst Flag.svg 1800sEarlier version of the Sunburst flag. This device was adopted by the Fenians in 1843.A golden rising sun on a green field. It was supposedly based on earlier Nationalist flags. It can be seen in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
Sunburst Flag.svg 1893–presentThe Sunburst flag, based on the flag of the mythological warriors the Fianna.Blue background with a golden sunburst showing partially in the bottom left corner. Used by nationalists and republicans.
Flag of the Communist Party of Ireland.svg Flag of the Communist Party of Ireland, based on the original Sunburst flag.A gold rising sun with nine rays against a red background, and a red hammer and sickle within the sun.
Starry Plough flag (with fringe).svg 1914–presentThe Starry Plough Banner made its first appearance at an Irish Citizen Army meeting on 5 April 1914. It was flown on O'Connell Street above the Imperial Hotel (Clery's) during the 1916 Easter Rising. It was believed to have been destroyed but was later discovered. It had been seized by a British officer who returned the flag to the Irish government in 1955. The flag was in a decrepit condition until it was restored with funding from the Irish Labour Party in 2013 and displayed at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History. It is believed that the banner was designed by the art teacher William H. Megahy. His original drawing featured a blue rather than a green field and was presented to the National Museum in 1954 by the playwright Seán O'Casey who was the secretary of the Irish Citizen Army before the Easter Rising. [1] A statue of James Connolly with a bronze depiction of the Starry Plough that featured on the banner is located underneath the railway bridge on Beresford Place in Dublin. It was at this location that Connolly frequently addressed political and trade union rallies. The banner is still used today in the form of a flag by certain Irish socialist groups.The banner features a green field bordered by a gilt fringe with a gold stylised representation of an agricultural plough that is superimposed by 7 silver stars forming the constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as 'the Plough'.
StarryPlough.svg 1934–present"In 1934, the largest trade union, the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU), introduced a simplified version of the Starry Plough with a sky-blue field, resembling the Alaskan flag adopted 7 years earlier. It was adopted as the emblem of the Irish Labour movement, including the Irish Labour Party, although they eventually dropped it". [19] Today the flag is used by various Irish socialist, nationalist and republican groups.The Starry Plough flag (An Camchéachta) features a light blue field with 7 five-pointed white stars forming the constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as 'the Plough'.
Irish Republic Flag.svg 1916On 24 April 1916, a flag with the inscription 'Irish Republic' was hoisted alongside the Irish tricolour over the General Post Office, Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising as a proclamation of the Irish Republic. A photograph was taken of it flying on the south-eastern corner of the GPO by a guest staying in the Metropole Hotel. "It remained on the roof throughout the week, survived the bombardment and the fire which destroyed the G.P.O and was eventually removed by the troops after the insurgents' surrender, either on Sunday, 30 April or on the following day. A photograph taken at the time shows a group of soldiers holding it upside down at the base of Parnell monument in O'Connell Street. Thereafter, it was placed in the Imperial War Museum, London. It was presented by the British government to the Irish government on the fiftieth anniversary of the rising in 1966". [1] The flag features a green field with the inscription "Irish Republic" written in white and yellow (gold) letters in the form of Gaelic script. It measures 4 feet 3 inches by 5 feet 6 inches and is now on display at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History.
The Fenian Flag (1858).svg
32 Stars Fenian Flag.svg
1858Flags used by the Fenian Brotherhood[ citation needed ] which was founded in Dublin on St Patrick's Day 1858.Two flags used in the past by the Fenian Brotherhood. The first flag is based on the American 'Stars and Stripes' It has four bars representing the provinces of Ireland and 32 stars representing the counties.

The second flag is a green banner defaced with 32 gold stars to represent the Irish counties. It was captured from the Fenians during the Battle of Tallaght, 1867.

1932–1933Historical flag of the Blueshirts paramilitary group, associated with Fine Gael. It bore the St. Patrick's Saltire defacing a dark blue background.A red saltire on a blue field.
Flag of the Orange Order.svg Flag of the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and a small number in the Republic of Ireland.An orange field with a purple five-pointed star in the lower fly and a St. George's Cross in the canton.
Purple Standard.svg The Purple Standard, used by some Orange Order marching groups.A purple field with an orange five-pointed star in the lower fly and a St. George's Cross in the canton. Effectively an inverted version of the primary Orange Order flag.
Apprentice Boys Derry Flag.svg Flag of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, a Protestant fraternal organisation based in Derry City, Northern Ireland.A crimson field.

Religious flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the International Eucharistic Congress (1932).svg 1932A flag designed for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, which was carried to various ceremonies during the event. [20] A gold symbol of the Eucharistic Congress on a light blue field.

Former national flag proposals

FlagDateUseDescription
Proposed flag of Ireland (1928).svg Proposed on 2 June 1928Flag proposed for a United Ireland by a Southern royalist in The Irish Times.A gold harp with a crown above it, surrounded by the arms of the four provinces, all on a dark blue field.
Proposed flag of Ireland (1937).svg Proposed on 6 June 1937Flag proposed in a letter to Éamon de Valera by an unknown designer, who suggested that a red cross be added to the Irish tricolour to symbolise the Christian faith of the Irish people. [21] The Irish tricolour with the white band divided by a red cross.
Proposed flag of Ireland (1939).svg Proposed in 1939, and again in 1945Flag proposed by an unknown Irishman, which appeared in The Irish Times on 19 June 1945.A gold harp surrounded by a circle of twelve green shamrocks on a dark blue field.
Proposed flag of Ireland (1951).svg Proposed in 1951Flag endorsed by both Sligo and Dublin County Councils. This proposal involved adding a blue Celtic Cross to the centre of the Irish tricolour to symbolise the Christianity and Faith of the Irish people. It appeared in the Drogheda Independent on 13 January 1951. [22] The Irish tricolour defaced with a blue Celtic Cross in the centre.
Proposed flag of Ireland (1957).svg Proposed on 10 June 1957Flag proposed in a letter to Éamon de Valera by a John Harrington, who suggested that Ireland should replace its "atheistic tricolour" with a cross, so that Ireland would be the only Catholic country in the world to feature a cross on its flag.A white cross with an orange field containing a green shamrock in the first quarter, and green fields in the second, third and fourth quarters.

Other former flag proposals

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the President of Ireland (1944 proposal).svg Proposed in 1944Proposed Presidential Standard, designed in 1944 by Michael McDunphy, Secretary to the President.Four white swans (arranged two above and two below) facing left on a field of dark blue. The swans represent the Children of Lir.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Ireland</span> Part of the United Kingdom

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland that is variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares an open border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland. At the 2021 census, its population was 1,903,175, making up around 3% of the UK's population and 27% of the population on the island of Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly, established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters, while other areas are reserved for the UK Government. The government of Northern Ireland cooperates with the government of Ireland in several areas under the terms of the Belfast Agreement. The Republic of Ireland also has a consultative role on non-devolved governmental matters through the British–Irish Governmental Conference (BIIG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Troubles</span> 1960s–1990s conflict in Northern Ireland

The Troubles were an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted for about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998. Also known internationally as the Northern Ireland conflict, it is sometimes described as an "irregular war" or "low-level war". The conflict began in the late 1960s and is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Although the Troubles mostly took place in Northern Ireland, at times violence spilled over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and mainland Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms</span> Heraldic design on a shield, surcoat or tabard

A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon, surcoat, or tabard. The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in its whole consists of a shield, supporters, a crest, and a motto. A coat of arms is traditionally unique to the armiger. The term "coat of arms" itself, describing in modern times just the heraldic design, originates from the description of the entire medieval chainmail "surcoat" garment used in combat or preparation for the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulster Volunteer Force</span> Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation formed in 1965

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group based in Northern Ireland. Formed in 1965, it first emerged in 1966. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a former British Army soldier from Northern Ireland. The group undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles. It declared a ceasefire in 1994 and officially ended its campaign in 2007, although some of its members have continued to engage in violence and criminal activities. The group is a proscribed organisation and is on the terrorist organisation list of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulster Defence Association</span> Ulster loyalist paramilitary group formed in 1971

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 as an umbrella group for various loyalist groups and undertook an armed campaign of almost 24 years as one of the participants of the Troubles. Its declared goal was to defend Ulster Protestant loyalist areas and to combat Irish republicanism, particularly the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). In the 1970s, uniformed UDA members openly patrolled these areas armed with batons and held large marches and rallies. Within the UDA was a group tasked with launching paramilitary attacks that used the cover name Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) so that the UDA would not be outlawed. The British government proscribed the UFF as a terrorist group in November 1973, but the UDA itself was not proscribed until August 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Northern Ireland</span>

The only official flag for Northern Ireland is the Union Flag or Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom; there is no official local flag that represents only Northern Ireland. The flying of various flags in Northern Ireland is a significant sectarian issue, with different communities identifying with different flags.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unionism in Ireland</span> Political ideology: union with Britain

Unionism in Ireland is a political tradition that professes loyalty to the crown of the United Kingdom and to the union it represents with England, Scotland and Wales. The overwhelming sentiment of Ireland's Protestant minority, unionism mobilised in the decades following Catholic Emancipation in 1829 to oppose restoration of a separate Irish parliament. Since Partition in 1921, as Ulster unionism its goal has been to retain Northern Ireland as a devolved region within the United Kingdom and to resist the prospect of an all-Ireland republic. Within the framework of the 1998 Belfast Agreement, which concluded three decades of political violence, unionists have shared office with Irish nationalists in a reformed Northern Ireland Assembly. As of February 2024, they no longer do so as the larger faction: they serve in an executive with an Irish republican First Minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish People's Liberation Organisation</span> Former Irish Republican paramilitary group

The Irish People's Liberation Organisation was a small Irish socialist republican paramilitary organisation formed in 1986 by disaffected and expelled members of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), whose factions coalesced in the aftermath of the supergrass trials. It developed a reputation for intra-republican and sectarian violence as well as criminality, before being forcibly disbanded by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of Ireland</span>

The coat of arms of Ireland is blazoned as Azure a harp Or, stringed Argent. These arms have long been Ireland's heraldic emblem. References to them as being the arms of the king of Ireland can be found as early as the 13th century. These arms were adopted by Henry VIII of England when he ended the period of Lordship of Ireland and declared Ireland to be a kingdom again in 1541. When the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland were united in 1603, they were integrated into the unified royal coat of arms of kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland. The harp was adopted as the emblem of the Irish Free State when it separated from the United Kingdom in 1922. They were registered as the arms of Ireland with the Chief Herald of Ireland on 9 November 1945.

The Ulster Protestant Volunteers was a loyalist and Reformed fundamentalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. They were active between 1966 and 1969 and closely linked to the Ulster Constitution Defence Committee (UCDC) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), established by Ian Paisley and Noel Doherty in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Ulster</span> Flag of the Irish province of Ulster

The flag of Ulster is a banner based on the coat of arms of Ulster, used to represent Ulster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. It consists of a red cross on a gold background with a red hand on a white shield in the centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulster Banner</span> Heraldic banner

The Ulster Banner, also unofficially known as the Ulster Flag or Flag of Northern Ireland, is a heraldic banner taken from the former coat of arms of Northern Ireland, consisting of a red cross on a white field, upon which is a crowned six-pointed star with a red hand in the centre. It was the flag of the former Government of Northern Ireland and common flag of Northern Ireland from 1953 until that government was abolished in 1973 with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) (Irish: Cumann Cearta Sibhialta Thuaisceart Éireann) was an organisation that campaigned for civil rights in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Formed in Belfast on 9 April 1967, the civil rights campaign attempted to achieve reform by publicising, documenting, and lobbying for an end to discrimination against Catholics in areas such as elections (which were subject to gerrymandering and property requirements), discrimination in employment, in public housing and abuses of the Special Powers Act.

The Northern Ireland flags issue is one that divides the population along sectarian lines. Depending on political allegiance, people identify with differing flags and symbols, some of which have, or have had, official status in Northern Ireland.

The Troubles were a period of conflict in Northern Ireland involving republican and loyalist paramilitaries, the British security forces, and civil rights groups. They are usually dated from the late 1960s through to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. However, sporadic violence continued after this point. Those that continued violence past this point are referred to as "dissident republicans and loyalists". The Troubles, internationally known as the Northern Ireland conflict, claimed roughly 3500 lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Hand of Ulster</span> Symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster

The Red Hand of Ulster is a symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster and the Northern Uí Néill in particular. It has also been used however by other Irish clans across the island, including the ruling families of western Connacht and the chiefs of the Midlands.

Murals in Northern Ireland have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region's past and present political and religious divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Patrick's Saltire</span> Red saltire on a white field

Saint Patrick's Saltire or Saint Patrick's Cross is a red saltire on a white field. In heraldic language, it may be blazoned argent, a saltire gules. Saint Patrick's Flag is a flag composed of Saint Patrick's Saltire. The origin of the saltire is disputed. Its association with Saint Patrick dates from the 1780s, when the Anglo-Irish Order of Saint Patrick adopted it as an emblem. This was a British chivalric order established in 1783 by George III. It has been suggested that it derives from the arms of the powerful Geraldine or FitzGerald dynasty. Some Irish nationalists and others reject its use to represent Ireland as a "British invention" "for a people who had never used it".

This is a list of coats of arms of Ireland. In the majority of cases these are arms assigned to county councils created by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 or later legislation, either by the Chief Herald of Ireland in what is now the Republic of Ireland or by the College of Arms in Northern Ireland. All but two county councils in the Republic have a coat of arms. In Northern Ireland, county councils were abolished in 1973, but the traditional arms are still occasionally used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Ireland</span> National flag

The national flag of Ireland, frequently referred to in Ireland as 'the tricolour' and elsewhere as the Irish tricolour is a vertical tricolour of green, white and orange. The proportions of the flag are 1:2.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hayes-McCoy, Gerard Anthony (1979). A History of Irish flags from Earliest Times. Academy Press, Dublin. ISBN   978-0-906187-01-2.
  2. "Notice of Royal Warrant appropriating to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the Union Flag charged in the centre with an escutcheon of the arms of Ireland". The London Gazette (17692): 702. 27 March 1821.
  3. 1 2 3 Genealogical Society of Ireland (2015). Flagging Ireland: Irish Guide to Flag Design. Dublin. ISBN   978-1-898471-03-5.
  4. Murray Pittock (1999). Celtic Identity and the British Image. Manchester University Press. p. 52. ISBN   978-0-7190-5826-4.
  5. Ó Brógáin, Séamus. (1998). "The Irish Harp Emblem". Wolfhound Press, Dublin. ISBN   978-0-8632-7635-4.
  6. "NSR Crest – Naval Service Reserve – Organisation – Reserve – Defence Forces". Military.ie. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  7. "DFTC – Organisation – Army – Defence Forces". Military.ie. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  8. "The Arms of Ireland: Medieval and Modern". The Heraldry Society. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  9. National Library of Ireland Heraldry in Ireland
  10. Signage at the Dublin's City Hall's "The Story of the Capital" museum
  11. "Belfast Coat of Arms". Belfastcity.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015.
  12. "Bratacha 2013 Brochure" (PDF). Familyhistory.ie. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  13. "CAIN: Symbols - Flags Used in Northern Ireland". cain.ulster.ac.uk.
  14. "Stolen historic Apprentice Boys flag to be returned". BBC News. 16 August 2013.
  15. "CAIN: Mural: Rolston. Drawing Support: Murals in the North of Ireland - Loyalist Mural 2". cain.ulster.ac.uk.
  16. Milligan, Cecil Davis (14 January 1951). "History of the Siege of Londonderry, 1689". Corporation of the City of Londonderry via Google Books.
  17. Ireland, Ordnance Survey of; Colby, Thomas (14 January 1837). "Ordnance Survey of the County of Londonderry". Published for H. M. Government, Hodges and Smith via Google Books.
  18. "The University's Coats of Arms". Queen's College, Belfast. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  19. Bordeleau, A.G. (2014)."Flags of the Night Sky: When Astronomy Meets National Pride". Springer, New York. ISBN   978-1-4614-0928-1.
  20. Eugene O'Loughlin (27 May 2012). "The 1932 Eucharistic Congress, and a little bit of family history" . Retrieved 23 March 2023.[ better source needed ]
  21. "Letter to Éamon de Valera, 6 June 1937". Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  22. "Drogheda Independent, 13 January 1951". Retrieved 12 June 2020.