Ireland Flag Facts: Interesting Trivia About The Irish Tricolor Symbol

The flag of Ireland, when looked quite closely, has a similar resemblance to the Indian flag.

But the fact is, just like India, Ireland has gone through an indistinguishable independence struggle too. The flag of the Irish republic, which is patriotically referred to as ‘the tricolor’ in Ireland, possesses a history and utmost national significance.

The Irish flag has become inherent in Irish culture and patriotism. The flag was officially adopted as Ireland’s national symbol in 1916. The Irish national flag is flown by numerous nationalists belonging to the Northern Ireland and Gaelic Athletic association. 

The tricolor is the national flag and ensign banner of the Republic of Ireland, which united Irishmen under it. Unlike the Indian flag, the Irish flag has vertical stripes in green, white, and orange colors. But the flag, just like any other country’s flag, is flown horizontally. Each color presented in the flag has its constitutional status, and it is the national symbol of pride.

The green color represents Irish Catholics. White signifies peace, and orange represents Irish Protestants. The country of Ireland regards its flag as an emblem of Irish pride. For an Irish person, the flag and the Irish constitution are a matter of great pride and honor. There are many other flags with three colors stripes where white stripe or green stripe is typical.

Here, you will get to know more about the facts, information, pieces of useful trivia, and bits about the flag of Ireland, its history, the symbolism, and its chronicle representation.

After reading all about the Irish tricolor flag and its different colors, also check Ireland healthcare facts and Ireland government facts.

Fun Facts About The Irish Flag

On March 7, 1848, the Irish tricolor flag (orange, green, and white) was first flown by in public by the Irish American patriot named Thomas Francis Meagher in the city of Waterford (which also happens to be his native city) at the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club. Although over time, the tricolor was recognized as the national flag of Ireland in the year 1937.

But the flag had not seen the light of the day until 1916, during the Easter rising, when it was raised above the general post office (GPO) in Dublin.

It is also one of the most heart-touching movements in the Irish national freedom struggle in which the flag itself was given as a form of gift in 1848 from a group of women in France who were one of the staunch supporters of Ireland's fight for freedom.

According to the archives of the Irish government: 'the national flag of Ireland possesses the sense of inclusion and aspiration for unity between people of different traditions.'

Did you know? Ireland’s national flag inspired the Indian flag. That is why both of the flags have such an uncanny resemblance!

Did you know? Until 2016 it was regarded as bad luck in Ireland for the Irish national flag to be flown after dark!

All the different colors in the Irish flag have a particular significance related to the heritage of the country. The orange color represents the Protestant religion, the green color represents the Irish Catholics, and the white color represents the hope for peace and union between the Protestants and Catholics.

There are strict protocols that the Irish flags must never be vandalized with words, slogans, drawings, or chants of any form!

Did you know? The national flag before 1916 was a green flag with an Irish harp in it! Some historical sources suggest that the flag dates back to as early as 1642!

Historical Facts About Ireland’s Flag

The flag of the Irish Republic is also one of the most widely recognized flags by Americans. The Republic of Ireland officially adopted it during the war with England, a war of independence. Before 1919, Ireland was controlled by Great Britain.

So when Ireland did become accessible in the year 1921, the tricolor flag was the union flag of the country, which stood as the mark of the end of British rule and served as the symbol of the Irish cause.

The green color is the Irish tricolor flag represents Irish Republicanism or the nationalist Catholics. There are also particular contemplations about the Irish flag slightly resembling France's national flag Remember a group of women who supported the Irish during their freedom struggle? The Irish flag was a gift from them, however, it is not known if they made the flag. The age of the Irish flag can be calculated from the day it was first flow, in 1848, but the actual age is not specifically known.

In 1848, the Irish national flag designed by a bunch of French women was presented to the Irish patriot and leader of the Irish national movement Thomas Francis Meagher!

However, it was not until 1848, Meagher publicly unveiled the national flag from the tower of the upstairs window of Wolfe Club. It was hoisted in 1916 by Eamon Bulfin and hoisted over on the top of Dublin’s General Post Office! This particular moment is considered a watershed moment in the entire Irish history!

Did you know? After a failed rebellion in 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher was convicted by the British!

Facts About Ireland's Independence Struggle

Ireland ceased to be a British dominion on April 18, 1949, when the act was implemented. The Irish war of independence is called the Anglo-Irish war, which was fought between the Irish Republican Army and various British forces from 1919-1921. After independence, Northern Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom.

The first rebellion against British rule started Easter rising in 1916. The Easter rising was a war fought between the Irish republican brotherhood (IRB) against British soldiers. The IRB wanted Ireland to be free from the clutches of the British and wanted its army to move out of Ireland.

Eventually, after a tiring and disastrous guerilla war, in April 1949, Ireland pulled itself out from the British Commonwealth and became a wholly independent and free state, having culturally rich Irish nationalists. Modern historical reports estimate that approximately 2,500 people lost their lives during the Irish and British wars.

The Irish war of independence lasted approximately two years, from January 21, 1919, to July 11, 1921.

From 1922-1937, Ireland's legal name was ‘the Irish free state’!

Ireland is 97 years old (when the Republic of Ireland was established in 1922!

Facts About Thomas Meagher

Thomas Francis Meagher was an Irish American patriot and the leader of the Irish national movement. Born on August 3, 1823, his contribution to the independence of Ireland has proved to be instrumental.

Thomas Francis Meagher was also the leader of a rebellion group called Young Irelanders in 1848. Born and raised in the city of Waterford, he was elected twice as the mayor of the town. His valuable contribution to Irish nationalism hailed particularly from his efficient oratory skills.

Various statues and memorials stretched all over Ireland, honoring his numerous contributions. One of the famous statues is located in the Montana state capitol in Helena.

After encountering a fall from a steamboat, Meagher was drowned in the Missouri River, America.

Meagher is also one of the prominent and notable individuals for recurring and directing the Irish Brigade!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Ireland flag facts: interesting trivia about the Irish Tricolor symbol then why not take a look at Ireland education facts or Ireland potato famine facts.