The National Flag
The national flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange. The flag was first introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher, the leader of the Young Ireland Movement in 1848 who based it on the French tricolour.
The Irish Tricolour is intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union of the people of different traditions on this island, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or political conviction. The green represents the older Gaelic tradition, while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white, in the centre, signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'.
The Irish Tricolour flag was flown over the General Post Office on Easter Monday, 1916, along with a large green flag inscribed with the words “Irish Republic”. Associated with separatism in the past, flown during the Rising of 1916 and capturing the national imagination as the banner of the new revolutionary Ireland, the tricolour came to be accepted as the National Flag.
But what is a Flag? Pieces of material sewn together. Are they worth putting your life on the line for, or dying for, as did the leaders of the Easter Rising?Is it worth dying for a piece of material?
When we consider the symbolism that lies behind the flag. It is then that we can decide whether it is worth such a sacrifice. The concept of “a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'”, is an expression of the concept of a people at peace with one another. It is a concept that the people who live on the island of Ireland strive to create a society, built on foundations of tolerance, and the acceptance of difference.
The Green and the Orange were chosen, as these colours were representative of the great challenge of building a nation from among its divided children in 1848. But that was 168 years ago. Of what relevance is the division between the green and the orange, catholic and protestant, to the people of the Republic of Ireland today?
The relevance if the Tricolour today is in its symbolism. Its aspiration of Ireland as a society of tolerance and acceptance of difference, found relevance and expression in a referendum last May, when the people of Ireland voted overwhelming to accept all of Ireland’s children as equals, regardless of their differences. Many times in the years to come, we will be challenged to consider our allegiance to the ideals of this tricolour, as we respond to the challenges of effects of war and global warming, and attempt to integrate newcomer populations into our society. Indeed, in an increasingly pluralistic Ireland, we can look to the Tricolour for our inspiration and the way forward.
These are the ideals that the rebels of 1916 stood for. This is what many died for. I find that, through the Irish Tricolour, the ideals of tolerance and the acceptance of difference are as relevant to us today, as they were for the Thomas Meagher and the Young Irelanders, 168 years ago.
The Irish Tricolour is intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union of the people of different traditions on this island, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or political conviction. The green represents the older Gaelic tradition, while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white, in the centre, signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'.
The Irish Tricolour flag was flown over the General Post Office on Easter Monday, 1916, along with a large green flag inscribed with the words “Irish Republic”. Associated with separatism in the past, flown during the Rising of 1916 and capturing the national imagination as the banner of the new revolutionary Ireland, the tricolour came to be accepted as the National Flag.
But what is a Flag? Pieces of material sewn together. Are they worth putting your life on the line for, or dying for, as did the leaders of the Easter Rising?Is it worth dying for a piece of material?
When we consider the symbolism that lies behind the flag. It is then that we can decide whether it is worth such a sacrifice. The concept of “a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'”, is an expression of the concept of a people at peace with one another. It is a concept that the people who live on the island of Ireland strive to create a society, built on foundations of tolerance, and the acceptance of difference.
The Green and the Orange were chosen, as these colours were representative of the great challenge of building a nation from among its divided children in 1848. But that was 168 years ago. Of what relevance is the division between the green and the orange, catholic and protestant, to the people of the Republic of Ireland today?
The relevance if the Tricolour today is in its symbolism. Its aspiration of Ireland as a society of tolerance and acceptance of difference, found relevance and expression in a referendum last May, when the people of Ireland voted overwhelming to accept all of Ireland’s children as equals, regardless of their differences. Many times in the years to come, we will be challenged to consider our allegiance to the ideals of this tricolour, as we respond to the challenges of effects of war and global warming, and attempt to integrate newcomer populations into our society. Indeed, in an increasingly pluralistic Ireland, we can look to the Tricolour for our inspiration and the way forward.
These are the ideals that the rebels of 1916 stood for. This is what many died for. I find that, through the Irish Tricolour, the ideals of tolerance and the acceptance of difference are as relevant to us today, as they were for the Thomas Meagher and the Young Irelanders, 168 years ago.
Flag raising ceremony in St Colmcille's |
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