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 Eire 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
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
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 a modern flag
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
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Irish flag is always flown the correct way up
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
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
Distress - denoted by flying the Irish flag upside-down
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
Ireland
Location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
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
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
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
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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! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
