Ireland

:This page is about the island of Ireland. For the political territories on the island, see Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the History section below.

Flag of Ireland

There is no agreed flag that represents the island of Ireland. Historically a number of flags were used, including St Patrick's Saltire, the flag sometimes used for the Kingdom of Ireland and which represented Ireland on the Union Jack after the Act of Union, a green flag with a harp (used by some radical nationalists in the 19th century and which is also the flag of Leinster), a blue flag with a harp used from the 18th century onwards by many nationalists (now the standard of the President of Ireland), and the Irish tricolour. However as the tricolour is the flag of the Republic of Ireland it is not used to represent the island of Ireland, given that the island also includes Northern Ireland.

Related Topics:
St Patrick's Saltire - Kingdom of Ireland - Union Jack - 19th century - 18th century - President of Ireland - Irish tricolour - Republic of Ireland - Northern Ireland

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The Royal Standard also shows a version of an ancient Irish flag in one of its four quadrants.

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St Patrick's Saltire is used to represent the island of Ireland by the all-island Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). In contrast the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) uses the tricolour to represent the whole island.

Related Topics:
Irish Rugby Football Union - Gaelic Athletic Association

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