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Ireland Flag, Republic of (EIRE)
SKU: IRL35P
The official flag of the Irish Republic (EIRE) is known as the tricolour. The green represents the older Gaelic (Celtic) tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce or separation between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'. Green is associated with Catholics in Ireland and their struggle for independence. Around the time of the American Revolution, the ruling classes of Europe began to fear that the concepts of liberty could soon spread to Europe and spark similar revolt. In Ireland, where resentment to British rule was very strong, green had always been associated with Ireland as a nation, and with the sympathy for independence and a unified Irish Free State. Orange was the colour of the Loyal Order of the Orange an ardent Protestant sect fiercely loyal to the British Crown and its institutions. William of Orange had conquered the Celtic Island on behalf of the British people. The Tricolour dates back to September 1830 when it was worn by Irish Nationalists to celebrate the French revolution - a revolution which restored the use of the French tricolour and set the mood for things to come in Ireland. A historian named Dermot Power has established that the Irish tricolour was publicly unveiled by Thomas Francis Meagher, a leader of the Young Ireland movement, at a meeting in Waterford on March 7th 1848. With Irish Independence in 1921, the Irish tricolour was seen as a symbol of Sein Fein and confined to the Irish Free State. It was used unofficially by the Irish Government but not as the official flag of Eire. As its unofficial use increased, it was "taken over" to avoid it being used by the republican element and with the intent of adopting a more suitable symbol at a later date. It was officially adopted by the Oireachtas (Parliament) in 1937. Flags Measures 36 in x 60 in and are 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.
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