List of flags of Ireland facts for kids

Three flags flying in Ardmore, County Waterford: the colours of County Waterford, the Irish tricolour, and the Flag of Munster.

This article is about the many flags that have been, or are still, used in Ireland. Flags are special symbols that tell a story about a country, a group, or an idea. They often show important history and beliefs.

Flags of the Whole Island of Ireland

These flags have been used to represent the entire island of Ireland, either officially or unofficially.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1386–1542	This was the flag of the Lordship of Ireland, which was how Ireland was ruled by England a long time ago. It was based on their coat of arms. This flag was even seen in a king's funeral parade in 1413!	It has three golden crowns stacked on top of each other on a blue background, with a white border.
	1542–1801	This was the flag for the Kingdom of Ireland. After 1801, it became part of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom.	It shows a gold harp with silver strings on a blue background.
	1821–1922	This flag was for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was like the King's representative in Ireland. It stopped being used when that job ended in 1922.	It was the flag of the United Kingdom with the coat of arms of Ireland added to it.
	1783–present	This is the St. Patrick's Saltire, also called the Cross of St Patrick. It's named after Saint Patrick, Ireland's main patron saint. It became a symbol in 1783. Some people in Ireland don't agree with this flag being used to represent Ireland.	It has a red 'X' shape (called a saltire) on a white background.
	1642–present	This green harp flag was used by the Confederacy of Ireland in the 1600s. It was also an unofficial flag for Ireland in the 1700s and 1800s. It was even used by the Irish team at the 1930 British Empire Games.	It shows a gold harp with silver strings on a green background.
	Used for a long time–present	This is the Four Provinces Flag of Ireland. It's used by many all-Ireland sports teams and cultural groups.	It shows the special symbols (arms) of the four provinces of Ireland in four squares. The order of these symbols can sometimes change.

Flags of Northern Ireland

These flags have been used in Northern Ireland.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1922–1973	This was the personal flag for the governor of Northern Ireland.	It was the Union Jack (UK flag) with the coat of arms of Northern Ireland added to it.
	1924–1972	The Ulster Banner was the official flag of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1924 to 1972. It's still used today for sports teams like the Northern Ireland national football team and at the Commonwealth Games.	It has a red cross on a white background. In the middle, there's a white six-pointed star with a red hand and a crown on top. The star represents the six counties of Northern Ireland.

Flags of the Republic of Ireland

These flags are used in the Republic of Ireland.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1922–present	This is the official Flag of Ireland. It's flown everywhere in Ireland.	It has three equal vertical stripes: green, white, and orange. The green stands for Catholics, the orange for Protestants, and the white in the middle means peace between them.
	1945–present	This is the special flag for the President of Ireland. It flies over the President's home and on their car.	It has a gold harp with 14 strings on a blue background.

Flags of the Defence Forces

The Irish Defence Forces have their own flags for different branches.

Naval Service Flags

These flags are used by the Irish Navy.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1947–present	This is the Irish Naval Jack. It's flown at the front of Irish Navy ships when they are stopped or anchored.	It has a gold harp with 14 strings on a green background.
	1996–present	This is a special ceremonial flag for the Naval Service.	It's a square navy blue flag with the Defence Forces badge and two crossed silver anchors in the middle. It has a gold fringe.
	1996–present	Another ceremonial flag for the Naval Service.	It's a square navy blue flag with the state harp in the middle, surrounded by a naval rope design.

Air Corps Flags

This flag is for the Irish Air Force.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
		This is the flag of the Irish Air Corps.	It has red and yellow diagonal stripes on a blue background. It features the Air Corps emblem in the center, the Defence Forces emblem in the top left, and the Air Corps roundel in the bottom right.

Army Flags

These flags are used by different parts of the Irish Army.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1966–present	This is a military flag for the 1st Brigade of the Irish Defence Forces.	It's divided diagonally with yellow on top and blue on the bottom. It has a ship with a red hull and white sails, surrounded by a yellow and blue crown. It also says 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' (Irish Defence Forces) and 'An Cead Briogaid' (1st Brigade) in Irish.
	1966–present	This is a military flag for the 2nd Brigade of the Irish Defence Forces.	It's divided vertically with blue on one side and green on the other. It shows a yellow rising sun with a flaming tower and a yellow harp. It also says 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' and 'An Dara Briogaid' (2nd Brigade) in Irish.
		Flag for the Air Defence Regiment.	An orange flag with a purple emblem of the Air Defence Regiment in the middle.
		Flag for the Infantry Corps.	A purple flag with two crossed rifles in the middle and the word "coiste" (Infantry) underneath.
		Flag for the Ordnance Corps.	A dark red flag with the symbol of the Ordnance Corps in the middle.
		Flag for the Cavalry Corps.	A black flag with the symbol of the Cavalry Corps in the middle.
		Flag for the Engineer Corps.	A yellow flag with the symbol of the Engineer Corps in the middle.
		Flag for the CIS Corps.	A blue flag with the symbol of the CIS Corps in the middle.
		Flag for the Artillery Corps.	An orange flag with a white border and the symbol of the Artillery Corps in the middle.
		Flag for the Medical Corps.	A teal-coloured flag with a white border and the symbol of the Medical Corps in the middle.

Defence Force Training Centre Flag

This flag represents the main training center for the Defence Forces.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
		This flag represents the Defence Forces Training Centre.	It's a navy blue flag with the shield of the Training Centre in the middle. The shield shows an oak leaf and two acorns, because the center is in County Kildare, which means "church of the oak."

Coast Guard Flag

This flag is for the Irish Coast Guard.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
		This is the flag of the Irish Coast Guard.	A white flag with the emblem of the Coast Guard in the center.

Traditional Province Flags

Ireland is divided into four main provinces, and each has its own traditional flag.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
		This is the Flag of Ulster.	It combines symbols from two important families in Ulster's history: a red cross and a red hand on a gold shield.
		This is the Flag of Munster.	It has three golden crowns on a blue shield. These crowns are very old symbols for Munster.
		This is the Flag of Connacht.	It shows half an eagle and a hand holding a sword. This design might come from an old Irish monastery in Germany.
		This is the Flag of Leinster.	It has a gold harp with silver strings on a green background. This is a very old and famous Irish symbol.
	No history of flag use	This symbol represents the ancient Kingdom of Meath (Mide). It was never used as a flag, but as an emblem.	It has a light blue background with a king sitting on a throne. The king holds a sceptre and has an outstretched hand, showing power and fairness.

City and Town Flags

Many cities and towns in Ireland have their own flags.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1885–present	This is the flag of Dublin City. It's flown over important buildings like Dublin City Hall.	It has a green background with a gold harp. In the top left corner, there's a navy blue square with three white castles that look like they are burning.
	1890–present	This is the flag of Belfast. It's based on the city's coat of arms.	It's divided horizontally into white and light blue. It has a silver bell in a red square, a pattern of blue and white shapes, and a ship on waves.
	2012–present	This is the flag of Drogheda town.	It has three vertical stripes: red, black, and red. In the middle, it features the coat of arms of Drogheda, which includes a castle, a ship, a star, a crescent moon, and three lions.
	2013–present	This is the unofficial flag of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. It flies at the County Hall.	It has a yellow background with a green shamrock. Inside the shamrock are two curved lines, one green for mountains and one blue for the sea, showing the county's landscape.
		These are flags of Derry City.	The top flag shows the city's coat of arms: a skeleton sitting on a stone, a castle, a red cross with a harp, and a red sword. The bottom flag is a plain crimson (deep red) flag, used by a group called the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

Sporting Flags

Many Irish sports teams use flags that represent the whole island.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1925–present	This is the flag of the Irish Rugby Football Union.	It's a green flag with the symbols of the four provinces of Ireland and a shamrock shield in the center.
	2000–present	This is the flag of the Irish Hockey Association.	It's a green flag with a shield divided into four parts, showing the symbols of the four provinces of Ireland.
		This is the flag of the Ireland cricket team.	It has three shamrocks on a blue background.
	1911–present	This is the flag of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.	It's a white flag with the shield of the four provinces of Ireland in the center.

Historical Military Flags

These flags were used by different military groups in Ireland's past.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1684–1922	Flag of the Royal Irish Regiment (1684–1922) of the British Army.
	1688–1791	Flag carried by the Irish Brigade in the French Army.	A red and green cross with the Latin motto "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (In this sign you will conquer).
	1710–1815	Flag of the Regiment of Hibernia in the Spanish Army.
	1770s–1780s	The flag of the Dublin Volunteers, a local militia group.	A red background featuring the St Patrick's Cross.
	1770s–1780s	The flag of the Ormond Union Cavalry, another militia group.	It features the Latin motto "Pro aris et focis" (For God and country).
	1770s–1780s	The flag of the Parsonstown Volunteers, another militia group.	It features the Latin motto "Vis unita fortior" (United Strength is Stronger).
	1798	Flag carried by the United Irishmen at the Battle of Arklow.	A green background with a white Christian cross and the slogan "Liberty or Death".
	1803	Flag raised by Robert Emmet during the Irish rebellion of 1803.	A green flag with a gold pike (a type of spear) topped with a red cap, a gold harp, and the slogan "Erin Go Brah" (Ireland Forever) in black.
	1846–1848	The green silk flag of the Saint Patrick's Battalion in the Mexican Army.	A green background with an Irish Harp, shamrocks, and the motto Erin Go Bragh in gold.
	1861–1864	Flag of the 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment of the Irish Brigade (US) in the American Civil War.	A green background with an Irish Harp and the motto Faugh a Ballagh (Clear the Way!).

University Flags

Universities in Ireland also have their own flags.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
		This is the flag of Trinity College Dublin.	It's a banner showing the college's coat of arms.
	1910–present	This is the flag of Queen's University Belfast.	It's a St Patrick's Saltire (red 'X' on white) with a book, a seahorse, the Red Hand of Ulster, a harp, and a British crown. Each symbol represents something about the university or Ireland.
		This is the flag of the University of Dublin.	It's a blue flag with the university's coat of arms.
		This is the flag of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.	It's a banner showing the college's coat of arms.

Political Flags

These flags have been used by different political groups in Ireland.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1800s	An earlier version of the Sunburst flag, used by a group called the Fenians.	A golden rising sun on a green background.
	1893–present	The Sunburst flag, based on ancient Irish warriors called the Fianna.	A blue background with a golden sunburst appearing from the bottom left corner. Used by groups who want an independent Ireland.
	1914–present	The Starry Plough Banner was first seen in 1914. It flew over a building in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising.	It has a green background with a gold plough and seven silver stars that form the constellation Ursa Major (also known as 'the Plough').
	1934–present	A simpler version of the Starry Plough flag.	It has a light blue background with seven white stars that form the constellation Ursa Major ('the Plough').
	1916	This flag was raised over the General Post Office in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising, declaring an Irish Republic.	It has a green background with the words "Irish Republic" written in white and yellow Gaelic letters.
	1858	Flags used by the Fenian Brotherhood, a group that wanted Irish independence.	The first flag is like the American flag, with four bars for the provinces and 32 stars for the counties. The second is a green flag with 32 gold stars.
	1932–1933	A historical flag of a political group called the Blueshirts.	A red 'X' shape (saltire) on a dark blue background.
		Flag of the Orange Order, a Protestant group mainly in Northern Ireland.	An orange background with a purple five-pointed star in the bottom right and a St George's Cross (red cross on white) in the top left.
		The Purple Standard, used by some Orange Order groups.	A purple background with an orange five-pointed star in the bottom right and a St George's Cross in the top left. It's like the Orange Order flag but with purple and orange swapped.
		Flag of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, a Protestant group in Derry City.	A plain crimson (deep red) flag.

Religious Flags

This flag was used for a special religious event in Ireland.

Flag	When Used	What it was used for	What it looks like
	1932	A flag designed for a big religious event called the 1932 Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.	A gold symbol of the Eucharistic Congress on a light blue background.

Former National Flag Ideas

Over the years, people have suggested different designs for Ireland's national flag.

Flag	When Proposed	What it was used for	What it looks like
	Proposed on 2 June 1928	A flag suggested for a united Ireland.	A gold harp with a crown above it, surrounded by the symbols of the four provinces, all on a dark blue background.
	Proposed on 6 June 1937	A flag suggested to add a red cross to the Irish tricolour, to show Ireland's Christian faith.	The Irish tricolour (green, white, orange) with a red cross dividing the white stripe.
	Proposed in 1939, and again in 1945	Another flag suggested by an unknown person.	A gold harp surrounded by twelve green shamrocks in a circle, all on a dark blue background.
	Proposed in 1951	This idea involved adding a blue Celtic Cross to the Irish tricolour to symbolize Christianity.	The Irish tricolour with a blue Celtic Cross in the center.
	Proposed on 10 June 1957	A flag suggested to replace the tricolour with a cross.	A white cross with an orange background. It has a green shamrock in the top left corner, and green in the other three sections.

Other Former Flag Ideas

Here's another idea for a flag that was proposed.

Flag	When Proposed	What it was used for	What it looks like
	Proposed in 1944	A suggested design for the President of Ireland's flag.	Four white swans (two on top, two on bottom) facing left on a dark blue background. The swans represent the Children of Lir, a famous Irish legend.

See also

• Cross-border flag for Ireland
• GAA county colours
• List of flags used in Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland flags issue