Irish Flag

Irish Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

Flag of the Irish - Description of the Irish Flag
  • The Republic of Ireland is a state which covers approximately five-sixths of the country. The remaining sixth of the island of Ireland is known as Northern Ireland and is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • The country's official constitutional name is Éire or, in the English language, Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the state
  • Unless otherwise indicated on this page, Ireland refers to the Republic of Ireland
  • As the above picture of the Irish Flag indicates the Irish tricolour, has three equal vertical bands of Green (hoist side), White and Orange
 

 
 
  • According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Irish flag, however , have modern symbolism and the Meaning & History of the Irish Flag is as  follows:
    • Green of the Irish Flag - the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic - the Nationalists / Republicans)
    • Orange of the Irish Flag  - represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant - the Unionists / Loyalists)
    • White of the Irish Flag - peace and honesty between the people
  • All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
  • The shape and flag ratio of the Irish flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
  • The Irish tricolour was first used by Irish nationalists in 1848 during the 'Young Ireland' rebellion
  • The British flag is no longer flown over Parliament Buildings and state offices except on a limited number of 'named days' such as Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday
  • The Lord Mayor of Belfast displays both the British and Irish flags in his own offices
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
  • The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
  • Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
  • The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
  • Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
  • Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
 
 
Irish Flag Etiquette
  • Irish Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
  • Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Irish as follows:
  • Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
    • National Flag of Irish
    • State Flag of Irish
    • Military Flag of Irish (in order of creation date)
    • Other Flag of Irish
  • The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Irish Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
  • The National flag of Irish should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
  • The Irish flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
  • A tattered or faded flag of Irish should be removed and replaced with a new flag
  • A Flag of Irish, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
 
Flag History & Evolution:
  • The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
  • Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
  • Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
  • An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
  • The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
  • These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
  • The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
  • The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating anew flag
 
 
Terminology & Etiquette in Irish Flag display
  • Hoist - the act or function of raising the Irish flag, as on a rope
  • Half Staff or Half Mast - the Irish flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
    • Performed by first raising the Irish flag to the top, then lowering the Irish Flag halfway
  • Manner of hoisting - The Irish flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
  • No disrespect should be shown to the Irish flag
  • The Irish flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
  • The Irish flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
  • The Irish flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
  • International Flag relating to Irish Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
  • We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Irish Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
 

National Flags of the World Map

Ireland

Location: Western Europe, occupying
five-sixths of the island of Ireland
in the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of Great Britain

 
 

Ireland

  • Irish Land Size : 70,280 sq km
  • Irish Population: 3,969,558 (July 2004 est.)
  • Former Name(s) : N/A
  • Capital City of Ireland: Dublin
  • Irish GDP : $117 billion (2003 est.)
  • Irish Main Industries :  food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software
  • Irish Currency : euro (EUR)
  • Irish Agricultural products : turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products
  • Main Colors of Irish Flag : Green, orange and white
 
Concise History of the Irish
  • 10,000 BC Earliest settlers arrived in Ireland  in the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age period
  • The first settlers crossed by land bridge from Scotland
  • 600-150 B.C. - Celtic tribes settled on the island
  • 100 BC Arrival of the Gaels
  • 432 AD - Arrival of St. Patrick to help convert pagan Irish Gaelic Kings to Christianity
  • 800 Ireland attacked by Viking Norsemen
  • 920 Vikings established settlements at Limerick
  • 940 Brian Boru was born who was the son of a leader of one of the royal free tribes of Munster
  • Brian Boru defeated Vikings in 999
  • 1167 Arrival of Normans at Baginbun in Co. Wexford which initiated the struggle between the English and the Irish
 
 
  • Reign of Rory O'Connor who was the last native High King of Ireland (1166-1175)
  • The Statutes of Kilkenny of 1388 forbade Irish/English marriages and prevented the English to use Irish language, custom or laws
  • 1500's - Anarchy in Ireland and the failed Kildare Rebellion
  • Ireland were ruled by the senior nobles and monarchy of England
  • 1603 Accession of James 1 and the enforcement of English Law in Ireland
  • 1641 Great Catholic-Gaelic rebellion for return of lands
  • 1649 The Protestant Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell,  landed at Dublin. His troops killed 2,000 men and great part of Irish lands were confiscated and divided among the English
  • Ireland's population was reduced by two thirds during Cromwell's rule when the Irish were sent as slaves to work on plantations in the islands in the Caribbean
  • The English monarchy is restored in 1660 with the accession of King Charles II
  • 1689 Siege and relief of Derry - King James II's Parliament restores all lands confiscated since 1641
  • 1690 William of Orange (William III) lands at Carrickfergus and defeats James II at Battle of the Boyne
  • In 1695 Anti-Catholic Penal Laws were introduced
  • By the early 1700's Catholics hold just 7% of land in Ireland
  • Irish Revolution, the 'Young Ireland' rebellion, of 1798 failed
  • 1845-49 The Irish Potato Famine. Many Irish emigrate to America. Irish population drops from 8 million to 6 million due to death from starvation or emigration
  • 1914 - 1918 - First World War
  • 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin
  • Irish War of Independence against Great Britain - 1919-21 ending in the Anglo Irish Treaty
  • In the Government of Ireland Act 1920, Ireland was partitioned, with the unionist-dominated north east becoming Northern Ireland
 
  • 1922 - 1923 - Irish Civil War between the Free State army and IRA
  • 1926 De Valera founds Fianna Fail
  • 1937 The Constitution of "Eire"
  • 1939 - 1945 - The Second World War
  • 1939 - 1945 WW11
  • August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • 1949 Republic of Ireland declared
  • 1951-62 IRA campaign in Northern Ireland
  • 1969 - British troops sent to Derry
  • 1971 - Unionist government of NI introduces internment without trial for suspected Republicans
  • 1994 IRA declares cease-fire
  • 1998 Initial peace-plan, the Good Friday Agreement, accepted by all parties
  • Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups
 
 
The Irish Flag and Nation

We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Irish Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun!

 

Irish Flag

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