The national flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange. Thomas Francis Meagher first introduced the national flag in 1848. The green represents the older Gaelic tradition of Ireland while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The centre of the flag is white and it represents peace and a lasting truce between the ‘Orange’ and the ‘Green’.
In the Rising of 1916 the national flag was raised above the General Post Office then the tricolour came to be regarded as the national flag. The national flag is to symbolise the inclusion and hoped for union of the people of different traditions in Ireland. This is expressed in the Constitution, which entitles every person born in Ireland to be part of the independent Irish nation, despite ethnic origin, religion or political conviction.
Some points about the national flag:
The national flag translated in Irish is An Bhratach Náisinta
The Department of the Taoiseach has the responsibility over issues relating to the national flag
The Department of the Taoiseach takes care of the display, placing and precedence of the national flag.
Nothing should be placed above the national flag.
When the national flag is carried with other flags it should be carried in the place of honour (marching right or on the left of an observer towards whom the flags are drawing near.
If the national anthem flag is being carried with a European Union flag, the European Union flag should be carried on the immediate left of the national flag.
The national flag should be displayed in the open only between sunrise and sunset, in the event of public meetings, marches or funeral; the national flag can be displayed for the duration of such functions.
It is forbidden for the flag to be draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport and it should never be carried flat.
If the national flag is used for a funeral, the green of the flag should be at the head of the coffin.
The tricolour national flag is draped across the coffins of Presidents of Ireland, including former Presidents, soldiers, Garda Síochána who died in the line of duty.
When the national flag is used fof funeral, care must be taken to ensure it doesn’t touch the ground, get wet or in contact with obstacles.
The national flag is frequently flown at half-mast if a national or international figure dies.
People can see the national flag flying on St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday (in honour of the Easter Rising of 1916) and the National Day of Commemoration on the Sunday nearest to 11th of July (to mark the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921).
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