Flag of Ireland

Use	National flag and ensign. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	1919
Design	A vertical tricolour of green, white, and orange. A tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonally Green is a Color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a Wavelength of roughly 520–570- nm. White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye The colour orange occurs

The national flag of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach Náisiúnta), also known as the tricolour,^[1] is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. A tricolour or tricolor (three colours is a Flag or Banner more-or-less equally divided (horizontally vertically or less frequently diagonally Green is a Color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a Wavelength of roughly 520–570- nm. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye The colour orange occurs The flag proportion is 1:2 (length twice the width). The green represents Irish Catholics, while the orange represents Irish Protestants; the white in the centre represents the peace between the two groups. Irish Catholics is a term used to describe people of Roman Catholic background who are Irish or of Irish descent. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

First introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848, it was not until the Easter Rising of 1916, when it was raised above the General Post Office in Dublin, that the tricolour came to be regarded as the national flag. Thomas Francis Meagher (ˈmɑrh ( August 3, 1823 July 1, 1867) was an Irish nationalist a Union Army general during the American The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 The General Post Office (GPO (Ard-Oifig an Phoist in Dublin is the headquarters of the Irish postal service An Post, and Dublin's principal post Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. ^[2] The flag was adopted in 1919 by the Irish Republic during its war of independence, and subsequently by the Irish Free State (1922–1937), later being given constitutional status under the 1937 Constitution of Ireland. The Irish Republic ( Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann or Saorstát Éireann) was a unilaterally declared independent state of Ireland proclaimed The Irish War of Independence (or Tan War, or Anglo-Irish War, Irish: Cogadh na Saoirse) from January 1919 to July 1921 was a guerrilla The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July The tricolour is regarded by many nationalists as the national flag of the whole of island of Ireland. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Thus it is flown (often controversially) by many nationalists in Northern Ireland as well as by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA) ( Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael /'kʊmˠən̪ˠ 'l̪ˠuh ^[3] Historically the island has been represented by a number of other flags, including Saint Patrick's cross, and the flag of the four provinces of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Flag (Cros Phádraig is a flag of Ireland that features in the Flag of the United Kingdom. Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland

The shorter flag of Côte d'Ivoire's colours are the same but reversed in order. The Flag of Côte d'Ivoire features three equal vertical bands of orange ( hoist side white and green

Design and symbolism

Irish Flags
Current Flags
Flag of Ireland since 1919
The Union Flag, flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922/1927) and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1922/1927-Present). This is a list of flags which have been or are still today in the Republic of Ireland. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
Current Presidential and Royal Standards
18th century unofficial Irish flag, based on the coat of arms of Ireland, now the standard of the President of Ireland. The Presidential Standard is the Flag of the President of Ireland. The President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ is the Head of state of Ireland.
Flag of International Association
The flag of the European Union
Historical Flags
The Ulster Banner former Flag of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1953-1972
The combined flags of the four Provinces of Ireland. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The Ulster Banner was the official name given to the Flag of the Government of Northern Ireland between 1953 and 1972 Northern Ireland has not had its own unique government sanctioned Flag since its government was prorogued in 1972 and abolished Executive Committee of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland was the government of Northern Ireland created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland This flag is used by the World Curling Federation and the Irish Rugby Football Union to represent the whole island. The World Curling Federation (WCF is the world governing body for Curling accreditation
The Standard of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1801 until 1922), sometimes used as the official Irish flag under British rule. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Ard-Leifteanant na hÉireann ( Plural: Lords Lieutenant) also known as the Judiciar in the early Mediaeval period
Saint Patrick's cross was used unofficially from 1783 to 1922 to symbolise Ireland. Saint Patrick's Flag (Cros Phádraig is a flag of Ireland that features in the Flag of the United Kingdom.
Unofficial flag of Ireland from the 17th century until 1922, also the flag of Leinster. Leinster (ˈlɛnstər Irish: Laighin, lainʲ one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of

In relation to the national flag of Ireland, the Constitution of Ireland simply states in Article 7:

The national flag is the tricolour of green, white and orange. The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July ^[4]

As there are no further statutory requirements in relation to the flag, the Department of the Taoiseach takes general responsibility over matters relating to the flag. The Department of the Taoiseach (Roinn an Taoisigh is the government department of the Prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, An Taoiseach In its advisory role, the Department has issued guidelines to assist persons in their use of the national flag. ^[5] The flag should be rectangular in shape and its length should be two times its width, translating into an aspect ratio of 1:2. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. A ratio is an expression which compares quantities relative to each other The three coloured pales — green, white and orange — should be of equal size, and vertically disposed. A pale is a term used in heraldic Blazon and Vexillology to describe a charge on a Coat of arms (or Flag) that takes the form The precise colours of the flag as set by the Department of the Taoiseach are:^[5]

From these Pantone colours Wikipedia has extrapolated the RGB, Hex and CMYK as:^[6]

The flag should normally be displayed on a flagstaff, with the green pale positioned next to the flagstaff, at the hoist; the white pale positioned in the centre; and the orange pale positioned at the fly, farthest from the flagstaff. Pantone Inc is a corporation headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA Web colors are Colors used in designing web pages and the methods for describing and specifying those colors CMYK (short for '''c'''yan, '''m'''agenta, '''y'''ellow, and k ey ( Black) and often referred to as process color The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. Provided that the correct proportions are observed, the flag may be made to any convenient size. ^[2]

The green pale in the flag symbolises the older majority Gaelic tradition of Ireland, made up mainly of Roman Catholics. Green had long been associated with Ireland as a nation,^[7][8] and with the revolutionary groups within it. ^[9] The orange represents the mainly Protestant minority who were supporters of William of Orange. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. William III or William of Orange (14 November 1650 &ndash 8 March 1702 He is informally known in Northern Ireland and Scotland as "King Billy" He, of the House of Orange and originally the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, had defeated King James II and his predominantly Irish Catholic army^[10] at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau) a branch of the German House of Nassau, has played a central role in the political life A Stadtholder ( Dutch: stadhouder, " steward " or literally "place-keeper" or "stead-holder" in older Dutch in the Low The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Battle of the Boyne (Cath na Bóinne was a turning point in the Williamite claim on the English throne It was included in the Irish flag in an attempt to reconcile Protestants in Ireland with the Irish independence movement. ^[9] The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the two cultures and a living together in peace. ^[11] The flag, as a whole, is intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union of the people of different traditions on the island of Ireland, which is expressed in the Constitution as the entitlement of every person born in Ireland to be part of the independent Irish nation, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or political conviction. ^[12][13]

Irish tricolour "misrepresented" with gold instead of orange

It is claimed that often differing shades of yellow, instead of orange, are seen at civilian functions. Yellow is the Color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M (long and medium wavelength Cone cells of the Retina about equally However the Department of the Taoiseach state that this is a misrepresentation which "should be actively discouraged" . ^[2] In songs and poems, the colours are often enumerated as "green, white and gold". In Heraldry, or (from the French word for gold) is the tincture of gold, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals" ^[14] Using "gold" in place of "orange" may variously be interpreted as simple poetic license, a throwback to the green and gold flag of nineteenth century nationalism, an identification with the papal colours of white and gold, or a desire to downplay the symbolism of "green" Ireland being in harmony with Orangeism. Artistic license (also known as dramatic license, poetic license, narrative license, licentia poetica, or simply license) is a colloquial History See also History of the Papacy Catholics recognize the Pope as a successor to Saint Peter, who Jesus named as the "shepherd" and The Orange Institution, more commonly known as the Orange Order or the Orange Lodge, is a Protestant fraternal organisation based predominantly ^[15]

History

A green flag featuring a harp was an older symbol of the nation of Ireland, dating back at least to Confederate Ireland and the pursuits of Owen Roe O'Neill from 1642. The harp is a Stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Confederate Ireland refers to the period of Irish self-government between the Rebellion of 1641 and the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in 1649 Eoghan Rua Ó Néill, anglicised as Owen Roe O'Neill ( c. 1590&ndash1649 ("Red Owen" was a seventeenth century soldier and one of the most famous ^[16] It was subsequently widely adopted by the Irish Volunteers and especially the United Irishmen. The Irish Volunteers ( Óglaigh na hÉireann) was a military organisation established in 1913 by Irish nationalists. The Society of United Irishmen was founded as a Liberal political organisation in eighteenth century Ireland that sought Parliamentary reform A rival organisation, the Orange Order, whose main strength was in the Ulster, and which was exclusively Protestant, was founded in 1795 in memory of King William of Orange and the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688. The Orange Institution, more commonly known as the Orange Order or the Orange Lodge, is a Protestant fraternal organisation based predominantly Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. William III or William of Orange (14 November 1650 &ndash 8 March 1702 He is informally known in Northern Ireland and Scotland as "King Billy" The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland in 1688 by a union Following the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which pitted the "green" tradition of the republican United Irishmen against the Orange tradition of Anglican Protestant Ascendancy loyal to the British Crown, the ideal of a later nationalist generation in the mid-nineteenth century was to make peace between the two traditions and, if possible, to found a self-governing Ireland on such peace and union. The Irish Rebellion of 1798 (Éirí Amach 1798 Turn Oot 1798 or 1798 rebellion as it is known locally was an uprising in 1798 lasting several months against the Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic The Society of United Irishmen was founded as a Liberal political organisation in eighteenth century Ireland that sought Parliamentary reform The Protestant Ascendancy is a convenient phrase used when referring to the political economic and social domination of the former Kingdom of Ireland by a minority of great TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and

The oldest known reference to the use of the three colours of green, white and orange as a nationalist emblem dates from September 1830 when tricolour cockades were worn at a meeting held to celebrate the French Revolution of that year — a revolution which restored the use of the French tricolour. A cockade is a knot of ribbons or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colors which is usually worn on a Hat. The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution, saw the overthrow of King Charles X, the French The National flag of France (known in French as drapeau tricolore, drapeau français,and in military parlance les couleurs ^[9] The colours were also used in the same period for rosettes and badges, and on the banners of trade guilds. A rosette is a small circular device that is presented with a Medal. A badge is a device, patch or accoutrement which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service a special accomplishment a symbol of authority granted by taking A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers ^[9] However, widespread recognition was not accorded to the flag until 1848. At a meeting in his native city of Waterford on 7 March 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher, the Young Ireland leader, first publicly unveiled the flag from a second-floor window of the Wolfe Tone Club as he addressed a gathered crowd on the street below who were present to celebrate another revolution that had just taken place in France. Waterford ( or Windy fjord;) is a city in Ireland. It is the primary city of the South East region and the fifth largest in the country Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 1848 ( MDCCCXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Thomas Francis Meagher (ˈmɑrh ( August 3, 1823 July 1, 1867) was an Irish nationalist a Union Army general during the American Young Ireland ( Irish: Éire Óg) was a political cultural and social movement which was to revolutionise the way that Irish nationalism was perceived The February 1848 Revolution in France ended the reign of King Louis-Philippe, and led to the creation of the French Second Republic (1848-1852 ^[9][17] It was inspired by the tricolours of France and Newfoundland; Meagher's father was born in Newfoundland. The Newfoundland Tricolour is a popular but unofficial Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador, or more usually of just the island of Newfoundland. Newfoundland — ˈn(jufənˌlænd (Terre-Neuve Talamh an Éisc — is a large island 15 km off the east coast of ^[17] Speeches made at that time by Meagher suggest that it was regarded as an innovation and not as the revival of an older flag. ^[9] From March of that year Irish tricolours appeared side-by-side with French ones at meetings held all over the country. ^[12] John Mitchel, referring to the tricolour of green, white and orange that Meagher had presented from Paris at a later meeting in Dublin on 15 April 1848, said: "I hope to see that flag one day waving, as our national banner". John Mitchel ( Irish: Seán Mistéil; b November 3, 1815 &ndash d Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1848 ( MDCCCXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap ^[12]

Although the tricolour was not forgotten as a symbol of the ideal of union and a banner associated with the Young Irelanders and revolution, it was rarely used between 1848 and 1916. Even up to the eve of the Easter Rising of 1916, the green flag featuring a harp held undisputed sway. The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 ^[12] Neither the colours nor the arrangement of the early tricolours were standardised. All of the 1848 tricolours showed green, white and orange, but orange was sometimes put next to the staff, and in at least one flag the order was orange, green and white. ^[12] In 1850 a flag of green for the Roman Catholics, orange for the Protestants of the Established Church and blue for the Presbyterians was proposed. An established church is a church officially sanctioned and supported by the government of a country e Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity ^[12] In 1883, a Parnellite tricolour of yellow, white and green, arranged horizontally, was recorded. The Irish National League (INL was a nationalist Political party in Ireland. Down to modern times, yellow has occasionally been used instead of orange, but by this substitution the fundamental symbolism is destroyed. ^[12]

Associated with separatism in the past, flown during the Easter Rising of 1916 and capturing the national imagination as the banner of the new revolutionary Ireland,^[18] the tricolour came to be acclaimed throughout the country as somewhat of a national flag. To many Irish people, though, it was considered to be a "Sinn Féin flag". Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970 ^[19] It was used by the government in the Irish Free State, but not necessarily with the intention that it should become the national flag:^[9] However Republicans, especially those who are involved in or support the armed struggle, claim the sole right to ownership of the tricolour as expressed in Take It Down From The Mast. Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic Physical force Irish republicanism is a term used to describe the recurring appearance of non-parliamentary violent insurrection in Ireland between 1798 and the present Take it Down from the Mast is an Irish Republican song written by Dominic Behan during the 1950s referring to the period of the Irish Civil War (1922-23

The government in Ireland have taken over the so called Free State Flag in order to forestall its use by republican element and avoid legislative regulation, to leave them free to adopt a more suitable emblem later. ^[20]

It continued to be used during the period between 1922 and 1937. However, the 1922 Free State constitution did not provide for national symbols and its use was almost entirely confined to the territory of the Irish Free State. The Constitution of the Irish Free State was the founding legal document of the 1922-1937 Irish Free State. The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by ^[9] In 1937, its position as the national flag was formally confirmed by the new Constitution of Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July ^[12]

Use in Northern Ireland

See also: Northern Ireland flags issue

A nationalist mural in Derry, Northern Ireland featuring a tricolour and other symbols associated with Ireland or Irish nationalism, including a harp, a shamrock, a Celtic F.C. crest, the crest of Derry City F.C. and a Derry GAA flag. The Northern Ireland flags issue is one that divides the population along sectarian lines Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and Northern Irish murals have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region's past and present divisions Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The shamrock, a symbol of Ireland and a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland, is a three-leafed old white Clover, sometimes of The Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the east end of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, For more information on Derry GAA see Derry Senior Football Championship and Derry Senior Hurling Championship.

The purported symbolism of the flag (peace and unity between Catholics and Protestants) has not become a universal reality. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. In 1920, Ireland was partitioned, with the unionist-dominated north-east becoming Northern Ireland, while later, in 1922, the remainder of Ireland left the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to form the Irish Free State. The Partition of Ireland took place on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by ^[21] Northern Ireland continued to use the British Union Flag and created its own derivation of the flag of Ulster (with a crown on top of a six pointed star) to symbolise the state. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has not had its own unique government sanctioned Flag since its government was prorogued in 1972 and abolished The Flag of Ulster is a historic banner used to represent Ulster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. ^[22] Furthermore, for many years the tricolour was effectively banned in Northern Ireland under the Flags and Emblems (Display) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 which empowered the police to remove any flag that could cause a breach of the peace but specified, rather controversially, that a Union Flag could never have such an effect. The Flags and Emblems (Display Act (Northern Ireland 1954 ( 2 & 3 Eliz Breach of the peace is a legal term used in Constitutional law in English-speaking countries and in a wider public order sense in Britain ^[23] In 1964, the enforcement of this law by the Royal Ulster Constabulary at the behest of Ian Paisley, involving the removal of a single tricolour from the offices of Sinn Féin in Belfast, led to two days of rioting. The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC was the name of the Police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001 Ian Richard Kyle Paisley (born 6 April 1926 styled The Rt Hon Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970 Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. The tricolour was immediately replaced, highlighting the difficulty of enforcing the law. ^[24]

Despite its original symbolism, in Northern Ireland the tricolour, along with most other markers of either British or Irish identity, has come to be a symbol of division. ^[22] The Ulster Unionist Party Government of Northern Ireland adopted the Ulster Banner (based on the flag of Ulster) in 1953. The Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP, sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or OUP or in a historic sense simply the Unionist Party Executive Committee of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland was the government of Northern Ireland created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Northern Ireland has not had its own unique government sanctioned Flag since its government was prorogued in 1972 and abolished ^[25] Thus it is this flag and the Union Flag that are flown by unionists and loyalists, while the tricolour is flown by nationalists and republicans. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Ulster loyalism is a militant unionist ideology held mostly by Protestants in Northern Ireland. ^[22] In Northern Ireland, each community uses its own flags, murals and other symbols to declare its allegiance and mark its territory, often in a manner that is deliberately provocative. Northern Irish murals have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region's past and present divisions ^[26] Kerb-stones in unionist and loyalist areas are often painted red, white and blue,^[27] while in nationalist and republican areas kerb-stones may be painted green, white and orange, although this is a much less frequent occurrence. A curb or kerb (see spelling differences) is the edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, Road median, or Road shoulder Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic ^[28] Elements of both communities fly "their" flag from chimneys, tall buildings and lamp-posts on roads. ^[29]

Under the 1998 Belfast Agreement, it was recognised that flags continue to be a source of disagreement in Northern Ireland. The Agreement, most often referred to as the Belfast Agreement (Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste Belfast Greeance or the Good Friday Agreement (Comhaontú Aoine an The Agreement stated that:

All participants acknowledge the sensitivity of the use of symbols and emblems for public purposes, and the need in particular in creating the new institutions to ensure that such symbols and emblems are used in a manner which promotes mutual respect rather than division. ^[30]

Nationalists have pointed to this to argue that the use of the Union Flag for official purposes should be restricted, or that the tricolour should be flown alongside the British flag on government buildings. ^[31] Unionists argue that the recognition of the principle of consent in the Agreement — that Northern Ireland's constitutional status cannot change without a majority favouring it — by the signatories amounts to recognising that the Union Flag is the only legitimate official flag in Northern Ireland. ^[32][33][34] Nonetheless some level of compromise has been achieved. As in the rest of the UK, the British flag is flown over Parliament Buildings and state offices on a limited number of named days — for example, those honouring Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday). Parliament Buildings, known as Stormont because of its location in the Stormont area of Belfast, served as the seat of the Parliament of Northern Ireland For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II ^[35] Major exceptions to this rule are the City Hall in Belfast where the Union Flag is allowed to fly year-round,^[36] and the local district councils. Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. For instance, local councils such as the Larne Borough Council can choose to fly the Union Flag every day of the year, on designated days of the year, such as the Lisburn City Council, or not at all, like the Down District Council or Derry City Council. Larne Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Lisburn City Council is a Local Council covering an area partly in County Antrim and partly in County Down in Northern Ireland. Down District Council is a Local Council in County Down in Northern Ireland. Derry City Council (Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire is a district council in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. ^[37] A Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alex Maskey, displayed both flags in his own offices, and this caused much controversy. Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970 The Lord Mayor of Belfast is a ceremonial position held by a member of Belfast City Council and annually elected by that council Alex Maskey (born 8 January 1952 is an Irish politician who was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast 's Lord Mayor ^[38][39]

The fate of the Irish tricolour, designed to represent a compromise between two warring sides but ending up as representing one of them, parallels what happened to the French tricolour, which it emulated — which, in the early stages of the French Revolution, was designed as a compromise between French republicans and French royalists (the red and blue representing the former, and the white; the latter) but ended up as the quintessential republican flag from which later republics drew their inspiration. The National flag of France (known in French as drapeau tricolore, drapeau français,and in military parlance les couleurs The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an Republicanism is the Ideology of governing a nation as a Republic, with an emphasis on Liberty, Rule of law, Popular sovereignty Legitimists are Royalists in France who believe that the King of France and Navarre must be chosen according to the simple application of the Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength Blue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye Republicanism is the Ideology of governing a nation as a Republic, with an emphasis on Liberty, Rule of law, Popular sovereignty

Protocol

The Department of the Taoiseach has issued guidelines in order to assist persons in giving due respect to the national flag. The Department of the Taoiseach (Roinn an Taoisigh is the government department of the Prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, An Taoiseach Observance of the guidelines is a matter for each individual as there are no statutory requirements. It is expected, however, that the national flag will be treated at all times with appropriate respect by those who use it. The Department has general responsibility in relation to the national flag and this is primarily concerned with the protocol for the flying of the flag. The Department’s role, therefore, is an advisory one. ^[5]

With respect to the display, placing and precedence of the national flag by both itself and in relation to other flags, the Department has made a number of suggestions. No flag or pennant should be flown above the national flag. When the flag is carried with another flag, or flags, it should be carried in the place of honour — that is on the marching right, or on the left of an observer towards whom the flags are approaching. Where one of these flags is that of the European Union, the European Union flag should be carried on the immediate left of the national flag, or, as seen by an observer when the flags are approaching, on the immediate right of the national flag. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in In the event of a display of crossed staffs, the national flag should be to the right and to the fore — that is to the left of the observer who is facing the flag. Its staff should be in front of the other flag or flags. ^[40]

When the group of flags of the European Union are flown, the sequence is alphabetical, based on the first letter of the country’s name. The flags should be flown from left to right with the European Union flag flown from the first flagstaff before the group. An alternative order of flags is to begin on the left with the national flag and place the European Union flag on the far right of the group, as seen by an observer. ^[40] With regard to international flags; where either an even or an odd number of flags are flown in line on staffs of equal height, the national flag should be first on the right of the line — that is on the observer’s left as he or she faces the flags. Where one of these flags is that of the European Union, the European Union flag should be flown on the immediate left of the national flag, or as seen by an observer, on the immediate right of the national flag. Where, however, an odd number of flags are displayed from staffs grouped so that there is one staff in the centre and higher than the others, the national flag should be displayed from the staff so placed. Where one of these flags is that of the European Union, the European Union flag should be flown from the first flagstaff on the right, or as seen by an observer, on the first flagstaff on the left. Only one national flag should be displayed in each group of flags or at each location. In all cases, the national flag should be in the place of honour. When the national flag is displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall or other background, the green should be on the right (an observer’s left) in the horizontal position or uppermost in the vertical position. When displayed on a platform, the national flag should be above and behind the speaker’s desk. While being carried, the flag should not be dipped by way of salute or compliment except to the dead during memorial ceremonies. ^[40]

In raising or lowering, the national flag should not be allowed to touch the ground. When being hoisted to half-mast, the flag should first be brought to the peak of the staff and then lowered to the half-mast position. Half-staff or half-mast describes a Flag flying approximately halfway up a flagpole or ship's mast (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up is acceptable ^[41] It should again be brought to the peak of the staff before it is finally lowered. ^[42] On ceremonial occasions when the national flag is being hoisted or lowered, or when it is passing by in a parade, all present should face it, stand to attention and salute. Persons in uniform who normally salute with the hand should give the hand salute. Persons in civilian attire should salute by standing to attention. The salute to the flag when it is being borne past in a parade is rendered when the flag is six paces away and the salute is held until the flag has passed by. Where more than one national flag is carried, the salute should be given only to the leading flag. ^[43] When the national anthem is played in the presence of the national flag, all present should face the national flag, stand to attention and salute it, remaining at the salute until the last note of the music. ga '''''Amhrán na bhFiann''''' ( is the National anthem of Ireland. ^[43]

When the national flag has become worn or frayed it is no longer fit for display, and should not be used in any manner implying disrespect. ^[44] The national flag, when used as a decoration, should always be treated with due respect. It may be used as a discreet lapel button or rosette or as part of a centrepiece for a table. A rosette is a small circular device that is presented with a Medal. When used in the latter context with the flags of other nations, the national flag should also be displayed in the place of honour on a nearby flag staff. Where multiple national flags are flown on festive occasions these should be of uniform dimensions. Bunting of the national colours may also be used on festive occasions. ^[45]

The national flag should be displayed in the open only between sunrise and sunset, except on the occasion of public meetings, processions, or funerals, when it may be displayed for the duration of such functions. ^[46][45] When displayed on a platform, the national flag should not be used to cover the speaker’s desk, nor should it be draped over the platform. The national flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events. The flag should not be draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport; it should not be carried flat, but should always be carried aloft and free, except when used to drape a coffin; on such an occasion, the green should be at the head of the coffin. The tricolour is draped across the coffins of Presidents of Ireland (including former Presidents), soldiers and Garda Síochána personnel killed in the line of duty, and other notables accorded state funerals, such as Roger Casement in 1965, or Kevin Barry in 2001. The President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ is the Head of state of Ireland. The Irish Army ( Arm na hÉireann) is the main branch of the Irish Defence Forces ( Óglaigh na hÉireann) ga '''''Garda Síochána na hÉireann''''' (ˈgaːrdə ʃiːˈxaːnə nə ˈheːɾʲən Irish for "Peace Guard of Ireland" often rendered State funerals in the Republic of Ireland have taken place on the following occasions since 1921 (This list is incomplete Protocol Lying Roger David Casement (Ruairí Mac Easmainn 1 September 1864 &ndash 3 August 1916 ( Sir Roger Casement CMG between 1911 and until his execution for treason in August Kevin Gerard Barry (Caoimhín de Barra 20 January 1902 - 1 November 1920) was the first Republican to be executed by the British since the leaders Care should be taken at all times to ensure that the national flag does not touch the ground, trail in water or become entangled in trees or other obstacles. ^[47]

It is the normal practice to fly the national flag daily at all military posts and from a limited number of important State buildings. The European flag is flown alongside the national flag on all official buildings, and in most places where the Irish flag is flown over buildings. The Flag of Europe is the flag and emblem of the European Union (EU and Council of Europe (CoE The national flag is flown over buildings including: the residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin; Leinster House, the seat of the Irish parliament, when parliament is in session; Irish courts and state buildings; Irish military installations, at home and abroad; and Garda Síochána (police) stations. The President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ is the Head of state of Ireland. Áras an Uachtaráin, formerly the Viceregal Lodge, is the official residence of the President of Ireland. Leinster House (Teach Laighean is the name of the building housing the national parliament of the Republic of Ireland (Oireachtas Éireann The Parliament of Ireland (Irish Parlaimint na hEireann) was a Legislature that existed from mediæval times until 1800. The Irish Army ( Arm na hÉireann) is the main branch of the Irish Defence Forces ( Óglaigh na hÉireann) ga '''''Garda Síochána na hÉireann''''' (ˈgaːrdə ʃiːˈxaːnə nə ˈheːɾʲən Irish for "Peace Guard of Ireland" often rendered The national flag is also flown on St. Patrick’s Day (the national holiday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (in commemoration of the Easter Rising of 1916), and the National Day of Commemoration on the Sunday closest to 11 July — the date of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921. Saint Patrick's Day (Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig) colloquially St The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the Nationhood of a Nation or non-sovereign Country. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a Holiday in some largely Christian cultures especially Roman Catholic The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 The National Day of Commemoration (Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta of Ireland, is held annually in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on the Sunday nearest July Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. The Anglo-Irish Treaty (An Conradh Angla-Éireannach officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a Treaty On these occasions the national flag is flown from all State buildings throughout the country which are equipped with flagpoles, and many private individuals and concerns also fly it. The national flag is flown on the occasion of other significant national and local events such as festivals and commemorations. The national flag is frequently flown at half-mast on the death of a national or international figure on all prominent government buildings equipped with a flag pole. The death of a prominent local figure may be marked locally by the national flag being flown at half-mast. Where the national flag is flown at half-mast no other flag should be half-masted. ^[48]

Other flags representing Ireland

There are a number of other flags that represent Ireland or have done so in the past. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Saint Patrick's saltire was incorporated into the British Union Flag in 1801 by way of the Act of Union 1800 to represent Ireland within the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Saint Patrick's Flag (Cros Phádraig is a flag of Ireland that features in the Flag of the United Kingdom. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 Although it never had official status outside of its role in the Union Flag, it has since become recognised as a symbol Ireland. Today, those who regard the tricolour as specific to the Republic of Ireland, or excluding of unionists, may advocate it as a neutral symbol of the whole island. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and However, others regard it as an unauthentic symbol. ^[49] The adapted versions have been used by the Irish Rugby Football Union,^[50] the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The Irish Rugby Football Union ( IRFU) (Cumann Rugbaí na hÉireann is the body managing Rugby union in Ireland. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI) (Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá in Éirinn is a Dublin -based private medical institution situated on St The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL is the body that serves as the Lighthouse authority for all of the island of Ireland plus its adjacent seas and islands The saltire was adopted into the badge and flag of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2002. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the Police service that covers Northern Ireland. Events January 1 - The Euro is introduced across the European Union. The Church of Ireland order that only the saltire - as opposed to the tricolour, the Union Flag or the former flag of Northern Ireland - or its own flag may be flown on its church grounds. The Church of Ireland (Eaglais na hÉireann is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating across the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland has not had its own unique government sanctioned Flag since its government was prorogued in 1972 and abolished

Another flag which is used to represent the whole island is the flag of the four provinces. The four provinces flag is divided into four quadrants, each of which is the flag of one of the four provinces of Ireland. Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland The four quadrants represent the provinces of Ulster (the top left quadrant), Munster (the top right quadrant), Connacht (the bottom left quadrant) and Leinster (the bottom right quadrant). Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. Leinster (ˈlɛnstər Irish: Laighin, lainʲ one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of While it does not have any official status, it is often flown in support of the Irish rugby team. The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in Rugby union, which is a popular sport throughout both the Republic of Ireland and ^[51]

The "green flag" was a common flag used to represent Ireland during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It consisted of a gold harp on a green background. ^[50] It is identical to the contemporary flag of Leinster. In the nineteenth century, a flag commonly appearing in print, if not on cloth, was a green flag with the Union Flag in the canton and a harp in the fly. Canton is a charge placed in the Upper dexter corner It is classed by some heraldic writers as one of the Honorable ordinaries; but strictly speaking The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon.

See also

• List of flags of the Republic of Ireland

Footnotes