Northern Ireland

:For an explanation of often confusing terms like Ulster, (Republic of) Ireland, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom see British Isles (terminology).

Symbols

Today, Northern Ireland comprises a diverse patchwork of community rivalries, represented in some areas by whole communities where lamp posts and some homes fly the Irish national flag, the tricolour, or the Union Flag, the symbol of British identity, while even the kerbstones in less affluent areas get painted green-white-orange or red-white-blue, depending on whether a local community expresses nationalist/republican or unionist/loyalist sympathies.

Related Topics:
Irish national flag - Union Flag - Identity

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As a constituent part of the United Kingdom, the only "official" Flag of Northern Ireland is the Union Flag. The 'Ulster Banner' (or 'Red Hand Flag') is no longer official due to the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972. Unionists tend to use the Union flag, the 'Ulster Banner' or paramilitary flags, while nationalists typically use the Irish tricolour. Some unionists also occasionally use the flags of secular and religious organizations they belong to. The 'Ulster Banner' is based on the flag of Ulster. Some groups, including the Irish Rugby Football Union have used the Flag of St. Patrick as a symbol of Ireland which lacks the same nationalist or unionist connotations, but even this is felt by some to be a loyalist flag, as it was designed by the British and is used by some British army regiments. No universally acceptable symbol has yet been found.

Related Topics:
Flag of Northern Ireland - Union Flag - Ulster Banner - Parliament of Northern Ireland - 1972 - Union flag - Irish tricolour - Flag of Ulster - Irish Rugby Football Union - Flag of St. Patrick - British army

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Similarly, there is no longer an official national anthem. At most events requiring a Northern Irish national anthem, God Save The Queen is played. At the Commonwealth Games the old anthem of Northern Ireland is played, along side the Ulster Banner (above), A Londonderry Air, perhaps better known outside Northern Ireland as the tune of Danny Boy, is used.

Related Topics:
National anthem - God Save The Queen - Commonwealth Games - Ulster Banner - A Londonderry Air - Danny Boy

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