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St. Patrick's Cross Flag (Ireland)
SKU: SPC35P
After nearly 200 years of rule from London, the Irish parliament secured legislative independence in 1782. To recognize this new constitutional status, the Dublin legislature was quick to establish a system of Irish Chivalry known as the Order of St Patrick. This new Order was granted an insignia consisting of a red saltire against a white background which would later be known as the 'Cross of St Patrick'. The red saltire is believed to be derived from the arms of the Fitzgerald clan. A prominent member of the Clan, the Duke of Leinster was appointed to the highest ranking post within the Order. It is believed that during this period the symbol was adopted by the Order..It became more universal in the 18th Century when Irish men and women began wearing the crosses to commemorate St. Patrick's Day. The Dublin Mercury newspaper on 19 March 1766 noted "London 18th: Yesterday being St. Patrick's day, the Titular Saint of Ireland, the same was observed at court, when the nobility appeared in their collars, & ... and his Majesty and the Royal Family wore crosses in honour of the day. Following the Act of Union in 1801, the St Patrick's Cross was combined with the flag of the Kingdom of Britain to form the Union Jack. This combined the former St. Patrick's Cross from Ireland with the already merged St. George's Cross from England and St. Andrew's Cross from Scotland. Although St. Patrick's Cross had no official Irish National status, it gained official status within the Union flag as representing the former Kingdom of Ireland. The flag has never won the hearts of the Irish people as a symbol of Irish heritage. Both the republican state of Eire and loyalist Ulster have chosen symbols distinct from St. Paddy's Cross. The flag does fly in parts of Northern Ireland on St. Patrick's day, and has been adopted by the Church of Ireland (Anglican Communion) and other sport and culture groups either as the organization's symbol or as a component of a larger coat of arms or standard. Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.
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