Irish Flag
The flag of Ireland is more commonly known as the 'Tricolor' and it has three equal vertical bands of Green (hoist side), White and Orange. The Island of Ireland is actually made up of two separate countries each with their own government, currency and laws. The Republic of Ireland is a state which covers approximately five-sixths of the country and the remaining sixth of the island is known as Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The country's official constitutional name is Eire or, in the English language, Ireland. Irish Flag - History
The tricolor has been the national flag of the whole island of Ireland since 1916. In the constitution of Ireland in 1937, the Irish Tricolor was confirmed as the country's national flag. Some traditional Irish poems and songs refer to the flag as being "green, white and gold" not orange. It is believed that in the past some natives were unhappy with the orange color representing the orange order and preferred to call it the color gold but more often the words were changed for 'poetic licence' as gold rhymes much better than orange! the government of Ireland, the Taoiseach discourage use of the word Gold. Flag Irish Symbol - Meaning Green of the Irish Flag - represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic - the Nationalists / Republicans)
Orange of the Irish Flag - represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant - the Unionists / Loyalists)
White of the Irish Flag - peace and honesty between the people
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