Ireland’s national flag is a vertical tricolour of green, white and orange. The Irish government states that it is intended to symbolise inclusion and the aspiration for unity between people of different traditions on the island.
What does the Irish flag look like?
The flag has three equal vertical bands: green at the hoist, white in the centre and orange at the fly. The flag is twice as wide as it is high.
What do green, white and orange mean?
The symbolism is unusually well documented. Green became associated with Irish nationalism and the Catholic tradition, while orange is associated with the Protestant tradition and William of Orange. The white centre represents the hope for peace and lasting understanding between those traditions.
History of the Irish tricolour
Thomas Francis Meagher first publicly flew the tricolour from 33 The Mall in Waterford on March 7, 1848. It became increasingly associated with Irish nationalism and was flown over the General Post Office during the 1916 Easter Rising. It was adopted by the Irish Free State in 1922 and formally confirmed as the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.
Ireland flag facts
- Colors: green, white and orange
- First publicly flown: March 7, 1848
- Used during: Easter Rising of 1916
- Adopted by Irish Free State: 1922
- Confirmed by Constitution: 1937
Source
Primary reference: Department of the Taoiseach — The National Flag.
