An Bhratach Náisiúnta
The National Flag
CONTENTS
THE HISTORY OF THE FLAG
GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
DESIGN
DISPLAY, PLACING AND PRECEDENCE
HOISTING AND LOWERING THE FLAG
SALUTING THE FLAG
WORN-OUT FLAG
RESPECT FOR THE NATIONAL FLAG
PRACTICES TO AVOID
OCCASIONS ON WHICH THE NATIONAL FLAG IS FLOWN
FOR FURTHER ADVICE
The History of The Flag
The Irish Tricolour is intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union of the people of
different traditions on this island, which is now expressed in the Constitution as the entitlement of
every person born in Ireland to be part of the Irish nation (regardless of ethnic origin, religion or
political conviction).
A green flag with harp was an older symbol of the nation, going back at least to Confederate Ireland
and Owen Roe O’Neill in the 1640s, and was subsequently widely adopted by the Irish Volunteers
and especially the United Irishmen (Figure A). A rival organisation, the Orange Order, whose main
strength was in the North, and which was exclusively Protestant, was founded in 1795 in memory of
King William of Orange and the ‘glorious revolution’ of 1689.
Following the 1798 Rebellion which pitted orange against green, the ideal of a later Nationalist
generation in the mid-nineteenth century was to make peace between them and, if possible, to
found a self-governing Ireland on such peace and union.
Irish tricolours were mentioned in 1830 and 1844, but widespread recognition was not accorded the
flag until 1848. From March of that year Irish tricolours appeared side by side with French ones at
meetings held all over the country to celebrate the revolution that had just taken place in France. In
April, Thomas Francis Meagher, the Young Ireland leader, brought a tricolour of orange, white and
green from Paris and presented it to a Dublin meeting. John Mitchel, referring to it, said: ‘I hope to
see that flag one day waving, as our national banner’.
Although the tricolour was not forgotten as a symbol of hoped-for union and a banner associated
with the Young Irelanders and revolution, it was little used between 1848 and 1916. Even up to the
eve of the Rising in 1916, the green flag held undisputed sway.
Neither the colours nor the arrangement of these 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. In 1850 a flag of green for the Catholics,
orange for the Protestants of the Established Church and blue for the Presbyterians was proposed.
In 1883 a Parnellite tricolour of yellow, white and green, arranged horizontally, is recorded.
Down to modern times yellow has occasionally been used instead of orange, but by this substitution
the fundamental symbolism is destroyed.
Associated with separatism in the past, flown during the Rising of 1916 and capturing the national
imagination as the banner of the new revolutionary Ireland, the tricolour came to be acclaimed
throughout the country as the National Flag. It continued to be used officially during the period
1922- 1937, and in the latter year its position as the National Flag was formally confirmed by the
new Constitution, Article 7 of which states: ‘The national flag is the tricolour of green, white
and orange’.
Guidelines for use of the National Flag
The following guidelines are to assist persons in giving due respect to the National Flag.
Observance of the guidelines contained in this booklet is a matter for each individual because 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 of the Taoiseach has general responsibility in relation to the National Flag. This
responsibility is primarily concerned with the protocol for the flying of the flag. The Department’s
role, therefore, is an advisory one.
Design
1 The National Flag is rectangular in shape, the width being twice its depth. The three colours –
green, white and orange – are of equal size, and vertically disposed. Often different shades of
yellow, instead of orange, are seen at civilian
functions. This misrepresentation of the National Flag
should be actively discouraged. The Flag should normally
be displayed on a staff, the green being next to the staff, the white in the middle and the orange
farthest from the staff.
Technical data:
Pantone Matching System colours:
Green 347, Orange 151.
2 Provided that the correct proportions are observed, the Flag may be made to any convenient size.
Display, placing and precedence
3 No flag or pennant should be flown above the National Flag.
4 When the National Flag is carried with another flag, or flags, it should be carried in the place of
honour, i.e. on the marching right – or on the left of an observer to- wards whom the flags are
approaching (Figure B).
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.
5 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 (Figure C).
6(a) European Union Flags
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 (Figure D). 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 (Figure E).
6(b) 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 (i.e. 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 When displayed on a platform the National Flag should be above and behind the speaker’s desk.
10 While being carried the National Flag should not be dipped by way of salute or compliment
except to the dead during memorial ceremonies.
Hoisting and lowering the Flag
11 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. It should again be brought to the peak of the staff before it is finally lowered
(Figure F).
Saluting the Flag
12 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.
Note: a flag is at half-mast in any
position below the top of the staff but
never below the
middle point of the
staff. As a general
guide, the half-mast
position may be
taken as that where
the top of the flag is
the depth of the
flag below the top
of the staff.
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.
Worn-out Flag
13 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.
Respect for the National Flag
14 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 centerpiece for a table. 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.
15 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 (Figure G).
Note: For military purposes, sunrise and sunset
are deemed to be:
Sunrise:
March to October 08:00 Hours
November to February 08:30 Hours
Sunset:
January and December 15:30 Hours
February and November 16:30 Hours
March and October 17:30 Hours
April 18:00 Hours
May and September 19:00 Hours
June to August 20:00 Hours
Practices to avoid
16 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.
17 The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of
any kind on it, for example at sporting events.
18 The National 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 (Figure H).
19 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.
Occasions on which the National Flag is flown
20 It is the normal practice to fly the National Flag daily at all military posts and from a limited
number of important State buildings (Figure I).
The National Flag is also flown on St Patrick’s Day (the National Holiday), Easter Sunday and Easter
Monday (in commemoration of the Rising of 1916), and the National Day of Commemoration on the
Sunday closest to 11 July (the date of the Anglo-Irish Truce in 1921).
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.
21 The National Flag is flown on the occasion of other significant national and local events such as
festivals and commemorations.
22 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.
23 Where the National Flag is flown at half-mast no other flag should be half-masted.
Further advice may be had from
The Protocol Section, Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Telephone: (01) 6194000
E-mail: protocol@taoiseach.irlgov.ie
Fax: (01) 6789791
National Anthem
The National Anthem, called The Soldier's Song was written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney, an uncle
of Brendan Behan. It was first published in the newspaper, Irish Freedom in 1912, but was not
widely known until it was sung at the GPO during the Easter Rising of 1916.
The chorus was formally adopted as the National Anthem in 1926.
The Soldier’s Song Amhrán na bhFiann
We'll sing a song, a soldier's song,
With cheering rousing chorus,
As round our blazing fires we throng,
The starry heavens o'er us;
Impatient for the coming fight,
And as we wait the morning's light,
Here in the silence of the night,
We'll chant a soldier's song.
Chorus:
Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.
In valley green, on towering crag,
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us.
We're children of a fighting race,
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march, the foe to face,
We'll chant a soldier's song.
Chorus
Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long watched day is breaking;
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the Tyrant quaking.
Our camp fires now are burning low;
See in the east a silv'ry glow,
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe,
So chant a soldier's song.
Chorus
Seo dhibh a cháirde duan Óglaigh,
Cathréimeach briomhar ceolmhar,
Ár dtinte cnámh go buacach táid,
'S an spéir go min réaltogach
Is fonnmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
'S go tiúnmhar glé roimh thíocht do'n ló
Fé chiúnas chaomh na hoiche ar seol:
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
Curfá:
Sinne Fianna Fáil
A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn,
buion dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Fé mhóid bheith saor.
Sean tír ár sinsir feasta
Ní fhagfar fé'n tiorán ná fé'n tráil
Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil
Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar
Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe,
Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn,
Ag lámhach go tréan fé'n sár-bhrat séin
Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta
Ba dhúchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir,
'S ag siúl mar iad i gcoinne námhad
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
Curfá
A bhuíon nách fann d'fhuil Ghaeil is Gall,
Sin breacadh lae na saoirse,
Ta scéimhle 's scanradh i gcroíthe namhad,
Roimh ranna laochra ár dtire.
Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois,
Sin luisne ghlé san spéir anoir,
'S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar agaibh:
Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
Curfá
The Harp
The Harp is exclusively an emblem of the State at home and abroad. It is always used by
Government Departments and Offices. It also appears on all Irish coins.
The Harp is engraved on the seal of office of the President and it is also on the flag of the President
of Ireland where it appears as a gold harp with silver strings on blue (azure).
The design of the harp is based on the fourteenth century 'the Brian Boru Harp' preserved in the
Museum of Trinity College, Dublin.
Further Information about the HARP on : http://www.entemp.ie/science/ipr/emblems.htm
The Irish Constitution
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