Last modified: 2011-06-11 by rob raeside
Keywords: ireland | green flag | harp |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
See also:
The Society of United Irishmen, a republican movement which
emerged in the 1790s, used a gold harp on a green field (the 'Green
Flag'). This flag was carried in the rebellions of 1798 and 1803 and
it quickly achieved popular acceptance as the national flag. The flag
was used during the widespread peaceful agitations for 'Repeal' of the
act of union in the 1830s and 1840s but was viewed as a seditious
emblem by the British authorities. In 1848 the Repeal movement split
and the radical wing (known as 'Young Ireland') adopted both republican
ideas and a tricolour inspired by that of the second French republic.
The Young Ireland rebellion of 1848 was quite a small affair and the
tricolour flag was largely forgotten until the twentieth century. The
next revolutionary movement, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (or
'Fenians') of the 1860s, was much more formidable and it reverted to
using the Green Flag. That flag was also used by all the nationalist
politicians who campaigned for 'Home Rule' (devolved government within
the United Kingdom). By about 1880 or so the Green Flag had become
officially tolerated to the extent that one was no longer likely to be
arrested for displaying it, but it never had any official status and was
always seen as a nationalist emblem.
Vincent Morley, 19 December 1996
The Green Flag was extensively used during the campaign for repeal of
the Act of Union which Daniel O'Connell led during the 1830s and 1840s -
the flag is invariably shown in illustrations of the mass meetings
convened by O'Connell during that period and it is probable that it was
in continuous use from 1798 onwards. Both the Green Flag and the tricolour
were used by the insurgents in 1916, but in the period after the rebellion
the republican separatists in Sinn Féin tended to use the tricolour
while their rivals in the Irish Parliamentary Party (which advocated 'Home
Rule' for Ireland within the United Kingdom) used the Green Flag
exclusively. The alternative national flags thus became the flags of
competing political parties until the general election of December 1918
when Sinn Féin's landslide victory finally relegated the Green Flag
to a secondary role.
Vincent Morley, 8 January 1997
Before independence Irish athletes had to compete as part of the British team, but an episode which occurred in 1906 may be of
interest. I quote from G.A. Hayes McCoy (1979), 'A History of Irish Flags
from Earliest Times', p. 182:
"In 1906 when Peter O'Connor won the long jump championship at the Olympic Games in Athens, he successfully objected to the raising of the union flag ... in honour of his victory and succeeded in having a green poplin harp flag, which had been provided by his thoughtful supporters, hoisted instead."This refers to the national flag in popular use at the time, the well-known Green Flag.
image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 21 May 2006
Why and who the woman is on the harp?
G.A Hayes-McCoy in his book 'A History of Irish Flags from earliest times' states as follows (much condensed):
I just finished reading "The Green Flag: A History of Irish Nationalism" by Robert Kee--a very good book which, you will not be
surprised to learn, contains numerous flag references.
One such reference is to the flag carried by MacBride's Irish Brigade during the Boer War. John MacBride, a friend of Arthur
Griffith's, organized this unit with Irishmen (most of American origin) living in
the Transvaal who were willing to fight with the Boers. The commander was a Colonel Blake, a former US Army officer. When Blake was wounded
in action, MacBride took command himself.
Opinion in Ireland (and among liberals in Britain) was strongly pro-Boer, and a Transvaal Committee, co-chaired by Griffith, was formed
in Dublin to support MacBride's efforts. One of its first acts was to purchase and send out a flag for the Irish Brigade. It was green with
gold fringe and bore a gold harp in the center, plus the inscriptions "Our Land -- Our People -- Our Language."
MacBride's Irish Brigade probably numbered no more than 500 effectives at any given time; it fought in about 20 engagements, with
18 men killed and about 70 wounded. The Brigade was operational from September 1899 to September 1900, at which time it was disbanded and
most of the men crossed into Portuguese Mozambique.
Tom Gregg, 25 April 2002
Were the inscriptions in English or Gaelic? The last part of the slogan would seem rather ironic if it was in English.
Ned Smith, 27 April 2002
The description I have from "The Green Flag" doesn't say, but I agree it would be odd if the inscriptions were in English.
Tom Gregg, 27 April 2002
I think it may a different flag, but there is a similar flag, without the fringe or motto, in the Border Regiment Museum in Carlisle Castle.
It was captured by men of the regiment from some Irish volunteers. From memory, it is only a small flag, perhaps three feet long by two
feet wide.
Ian Sumner, 27 April 2002
According to Hayes-McCoy the flag was of green poplin bordered with gilt braid
and fringe. Irish Transvaal Brigade in gilt letters across the top, Ar dTir Ar, Ar Muintear, Ar dTeanga in gilt letters across the bottom, and a
gilt harp in the centre of the flag. The green cloth within the outline of the harp was
cut away and the triangular hole bridged by six double threads fastened at each end to represent the strings.
David Prothero, 27 April 2002
This is a complicated subject. There were in fact two Irish units ('commandos') which fought for the South African Republic - the
second being, in part, formed as a result of differences that arose among the members of the first. A number of different flags were used
at various times.
The best source of information on the subject is Donal P. McCracken, 'MacBride's Brigade: Irish Commandos in the Anglo-Boer
War' (Dublin, 1999). The author is professor of history at the University of Durban and the book is mainly a military history but it
contains several passing references to flags - as well as one photograph which shows members of the first Irish commando with an
uninscribed Green Flag. I will send a scan of this photograph when time permits.
McCracken quotes (p. 26) from a recruiting notice addressed to Irish (and Irish-American) miners on the Rand - a group who were
particularly useful as demolitions experts because of their experience with explosives - and this notice shows the importance
that was attached to use of the national flag from the beginning of the war:
"Every Irishman worthy of the name and every Irish-American in South Africa will be found in the ranks of the Irish Brigade of the S.A.R., under the sacred Green Flag, fighting against the brutal English Tyrant. 'God save Ireland'."McCracken also quotes (p. 32) from a song that became popular in Ireland when news arrived of the Irish commando's participation in the Boer advance into Natal at the start of the war:
"From land to land throughout the world the news is going round, That Ireland's flag triumphant flies on high o'er English ground. In far-off Africa today the English fly dismayed Before the flag of green and gold borne by McBride's brigade."
On p. 59, McCracken describes the presentation to the first Irish commando of the flag shown in
G.A. Hayes-McCoy, 'A History of Irish Flags from Earliest Times', plate iv. The flag was presented on 23 December 1899, having been sent out from Ireland. It is a Green Flag with the centre of the harp cut away. An inscription over the harp reads 'IRISH TRANSVAAL BRIGADE' and one below the harp reads 'AR dTIR AR MUINTEAR AR dTEANGA' - 'our country, our people, our language' in Irish.
On p. 166, McCracken describes another flag that is also shown in G.A. Hayes-McCoy, plate iv, and which was carried by an Irish commando - it is unclear whether it was the first or second. This is an uninscribed Green Flag with a harp of the 'winged-maiden' type above a wreath of shamrock in gold. An unusual feature is that the harp is displaced towards the fly. This flag remained in South Africa for some time and was displayed at a public meeting in Pretoria held to support Irish independence in May 1921. McCracken (p. 166) quotes from a contemporary report as follows:
"The bullet-pierced flag of the Irish Brigade was hung on the platform, and among those on the platform were men such as Mr Gillingham, who had fought under that flag."
It was presented to the Irish state in 1952 and is now in the National Museum of Ireland.
Vincent Morley, 30 April 2002
Some 1798 insurgent's Green Flags here:
http://www.iol.ie/~98com/flags.htm
and information on their use and the often hasty manner in which they were
produced (the women, we hear, did not limit themselves to flag-making). The
ballad "At Boolavogue" mentions the Green Flag.
Jan Mertens, 16 February 2004
The flag above is held in the
Museum of the Border Regiment in Carlisle Castle UK. According to their records
(very sketchy unfortunately) it is a regimental trophy that was captured in the
South Eastern Free State in April 1900 near the town of Wepener. And that is all
they know about it. Inquiries at the National Museum of Ireland also drew a
blank. The two Irish Volunteer Brigades with the Boer forces had several green
flags with golden harps among them but neither ever served in that part of the
country. This is also an unusual design with the crown over the harp -
especially as these volunteers were all fierce republicans. The crown itself is
also unusual. The only other place I have seen that design of crown before is on
the coat of arms of the province of Munster in Ireland, that is, until I saw the flag of
British Columbia which has more or less the same design of crown in the middle
of the Union Jack. Can anyone who might have seen this design of Irish flag before
and can give me a lead as to whom it may have belonged to or where it might have
originated? What about the crown? What is the history of this particular design
of crown?
Andre Burgers, 21 October 2004
This is a 'standard' heraldic crown known variously as 'antique', 'eastern'
or 'radiated'. It was used on some Irish flags by those in favour of an Irish
kingdom that was separate from the British kingdom. Since there was no
recognized Irish crown the antique crown made a suitable substitute. It appeared
on some flags of Irish Volunteer units formed for the defence of Ireland during
the American War of Independence, and in the 1840s on flags of the movement for
the Repeal of the Union with Britain. It does seem strange on a Boer War Irish
brigade flag.
The antique crown on the arms of British
Columbia was added by the College of Arms. The original arms, designed by
Cannon Arthur Beanlands, contained features that were heraldically unacceptable.
The antique crown appears to have been an alternative to the royal crest which
was above the shield in Beanlands' design.
David Prothero, 23 October 2004
An antique crown seems to have been adopted as a traditional Irish symbol,
because of its use in the arms of Munster. The two Southern Command Brigades of
the six Irish Army Brigades, have an antique crown on their Colours, introduced
in 1964. Photographs of them are in Irish Flags by G.A.Hayes-McCoy.
David Prothero, 14 November 2004
After many months of research I have established a reasonably clear picture
of the provenance of a green flag inherited by members of my family. Above are
two pictures. One is a photograph is of a green harp and crown flag, used by
Captain Franklin aboard his ship, prior to his death in 1816. The other is of a
ship (not his) from the same period flying a similar flag from its main mast.
Franklin Tennent was the illegitimate son of a wealthy Belfast ship owner and
banker, William Tennent. William Tennent was a founding member of the United
Irishmen, along with Drennan and Tone, and was jailed in Fort George, Scotland
for his part in organizing the failed rebellion of 1798. Another of William's
brothers, also prominent in the United Irishmen, became a battalion commander in
Napoleon's army and was killed in action in 1813. The provenance of the flag can
be verified by an inscription on the hem of the flag, stating "Flag of my
brother Franklin's boat", written by my great great grandmother, Octavia Dawson
(nee Tennent). In a recent visit to the Public Records Office of Northern
Ireland I discovered letters from Franklin, Octavia and their father relating to
Franklin's service in his father's business, and to the dispersal of his effects
after his death (he died at the age of 24, unmarried). His identity and activity
in the service of his Father's merchant vessels is further confirmed in regular
shipping advertisments placed in the main newspaper of the day, The Belfast
Newsletter. This paper also contained notice of the death of "Captain Franklin
Tennent".
According to family anecdote, the flag was made for Franklin by his sisters,
when he was asked to act as Commodore of a convoy (presumably during the
British-American war of 1812). I have located notices of Tennent & Co's ships
sailing in convoy, but not the notice relating to this specific occasion. I have
discussed the flag with David Prothero and Vincent Morley, both of whom have
made significant contributions regarding the use of similar flags on your
webpages. Vincent Morley initially suspected that the flag dated from the mid
nineteenth century (this was prior to my verification of the identity and
occupation of Franklin). David has questioned whether the Union Jack may have
been a later addition to the flag, which is a possibility. I have also drawn
David's attention to an 1814 portrait of the ship Hibernia (whose master, John
Lennon, was also an Ulsterman), flying a green flag from its main mast. Copies
of Franklin's flag and the portrait of the Hibernia are shown above.
Would anyone have any suggestions concerning the significance of the "U"
shaped symbol under the crown (e.g., Ulster; United Irishmen)?
Andrew Dawson, 19 June 2007
Znamierowski (2000) shows Irish flags on
pages 20 & 19 in two previously published charts. The one depicted on page 20 is
green enough but the one one page 19 is surely blue despite being described as a
"Groene Ierse Vlag".
David B Lawrence, 30 June 2007
Reading : Page 218 - Napoleon's Regiments - Digby Smith - Greenhill Books -
ISBN 1853674133
In discussing foreign infantry regiments in the army of the French Republic,
Digby Smith records the presentation, at its creation on 13th August 1803, to
the ' Legion Irlandais ' of military colours of green flag bearing a golden
harp, to which standard was added an eagle in 1804 ( of the style referred to by
him as ' M 1804 ' ). Originally one battalion only, the Legion Irlandais was
increased to three in 1809 and the other battalions also received special
colours. On the 3rd August 1811 the name was changed to the 3e Regiment Etranger
( a forerunner of the present foreign legion ? ) and after various actions it
was disbanded on the 12th May 1814.
And now I find that this is contradicted by an article (
http://www.magweb.com/sample/seel/s11ir.htm ) by Jean Lochet on ' The Irish
Legion ' ( presented online as a sample from his ' Empires, Eagles and Lions '
magazine ) he says that there were five battalions, gives other dates and
doesn't describe any flags although the article has a picture of an antique harp
with the words ' L'INDEPENDANCE D'IRLANDE ' below it.
David B. Lawrence, 18 June 2007
Lochet is correct, Smith has it wrong. On 5th June 1804, the Legion
Irlandaise were presented with a colour, which was green with, on the obverse, a
tricoloured oval in the centre surrounded by an oak wreath; across the oval was
the motto LE PREMIER / CONSUL / AUX IRLANDOIS / UNIS (NB the spelling of 'Irlandois'
isn't a mistake, merely an archaic spelling). In each angle was a gold harp with
silver strings. On the reverse was a red oval bearing the motto LIBERTE / DES /
CONSCIENCES / INDEPENDANCE / DE L'IRLANDE in gold. Surrounding the oval was a
wreath of oak and laurel, and there was a harp in each corner as on the obverse.
The finial was a plain spearhead.
This was replaced on 5th December 1804 with a green flag with the motto
L'EMPEREUR / DES FRANCAIS / A LA LEGION / IRLANDAISE in gold on the obverse and,
on the reverse, the harp and motto device that Lochet uses. The finial was the
eagle.
The Legion was renamed Regiment Irlandais, of two battalions, in 1805, and
increased to five battalions in 1809. In 1813, it was renamed 3e Regiment
Etranger. In 1810, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were presented with their colours
- similar to the December 1804 design, but the staff had a plain spearhead
finial. The 4th and 5th were also presented with colours; the date when this
happened is unknown, but must have occurred before 22nd July 1812, because the
5th lost their colour at the battle of Salamanca (I wonder what happened to
it??).
By 1812, the original flag was too tatty to be carried and was replaced by an
1812 pattern colour without any added inscriptions. The eagle was deposited in
the depot at Bois-le-Duc in September 1813 (and has since disappeared).
Source: Pierre Charrie (1982), 'Drapeaux et
etendards de la Revolution et de l'Empire' (Paris, Copernic, 1982)
The tradition of foreigners serving in the French army is a long one, and well
predates the Irish Legion. Despite their use of green on flags and uniforms, the
modern-day Foreign Legion trace their unit only as far back as 1831.
Ian Sumner, 22 June 2007
A variation on the usual theme; known flag of uncertain appearance.
"Greenish flag with harp and small cross on it." Probably same flag described as
"white cross and harp". Also, "Similar flag .... with the crown over the harp."
The description does not seem to match any flag on the FOTW website nor any
flag in Hayes-McCoy's 'Irish Flags'.
Letter of complaint from Mr.Kelly.
"Sunday 20 May 1883. Had 27 flags flying. Union Jack at fore topmast stay, No 6
of Marryat's Code under it, very old greenish flag with harp and small cross on
it on top at main, the ensign being the worse of the wear and a little torn, it
was not hoisted. At 4 pm a Spanish man of war boat came with British consul and
ordered all flags hauled down including Union Jack. The old flag mentioned has
been flying in different ports in England, Ireland and Scotland and over three
parts of the globe it is similar to many I'm sure yourself has seen on Sundays
or feast days. Steam yacht 'Gitana', H.Jameson Esq. of Dublin came into this
port the following day with a similar flag at her main with the exception she
wears the crown over the harp as her club flag."
"24 July 1883. Consul at
Corunna reported that a Fennian flag (white cross and harp) had been hoisted by
Mr.Kelly, Master and owner of Brig 'Trio' registered in Dublin. Green flag was
not under Union Jack, which itself was below a line of bunting. Fenian flag most
conspicous at main mast. No flag at peak. Steam yacht 'Gitana' owned by
H.Jameson Esq. of Dublin did not have similar flag at main, but Royal Irish Club
flag. Spanish fly matriculation flag of vessel at mainmast to show what port she
belongs to. Fenian flag considered to be a national flag."
[National Archives
MT/922 file 1883]
David Prothero, 28 October 2010
"24 July 1883. Consul at Corunna reported that a Fennian flag (white
cross and harp) had been hoisted by Mr.Kelly, Master and owner of Brig 'Trio'
registered in Dublin. Green flag was not under Union Jack ..." - Would that mean
that it had been OK if it had had been flown below the UJ?
Peter Hans van
den Muijzenberg, 30 October 2010
The offence was to hoist the Union Jack on a merchant ship. The Board of
Trade took a relaxed view of the matter. In a minute it was pointed out that
fancy flags, or even rebel flags, were not prohibited if they did not resemble
colours of Her Majesty's ships or national colours, and that since the flag had
not been flown at the peak, it had not been worn to show nationality. It was
recommended that instructions to consuls on the matter, which referred to
'improper colours' should be altered to 'illegal colours'.
David Prothero,
31 October 2010
image located by Ron Lahav, based on image by Vincent Morley
The flag of the 16th (Irish) Division is depicted above. The accompanying
account at
http://freespace.virgin.net/sh.k/disflag.html is one of the saddest stories
of the War of 1914-18, summarized "The tragic story of the 16th Irish Division, which ended with its expungment from Irish history, could not have had a worst start when the British military establishment refused to recognise, in even the smallest detail, Irish willingness to provide an autonomous formation as the reborn nation's contribution to the 'Great Fight for Civilisation'. Lloyd-George, who was the British Prime Minister for the latter part of the war, included the
... damning indictment of Kitchener in his War memoirs".
Ron Lahav, 17 November 2008