I help out with a website that sells (among other things) flags of Ireland. We include a description of the flag on the website, along with some history.
In the past year or so we have received 7-8 queries about the colours on the Irish flag. Generally we are told that "I have heard" or "I have been told" that the colours of the flag should be Green, White and Gold (instead of Orange).
Because of these inquiries I have done some research into this and I have found *nothing* to substantiate the flag colours including gold instead of orange.
Has anyone ever heard this? Does anyone have any information about this? Does anyone know where this story started? Or why it started?
I haven't heard that story, but I can maybe guess at it. Well a lot of people think that Ireland is a Catholic country. I like to think so, being Catholic myself. Well the orange part of the flag is to stand for William of Orange (I think that's his name, anyway it stand for one of the Protestant rulers). So in the national flag you got a color that doesn't stand for traditional catholic ireland. So I am guessing that there are some people who don't want that color in the flag and that is why they want the gold. I don't mean to offend anyone, this is my pure opinion not meaning to condmen anyone's beliefs. I don't think the color needs to be changed, although I am curious as to why it is in the flag.
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There's a dear little plant that grows in our Isle Twas St . Patrick himself, sure, that set it; And the sun of his labour with pleasure did smile, And with dew from his eye often wet it. It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the Mireland, and they call it the dear little shamrock of Ireland.
I heard that the green represents the Gaelics, the orange represents the Ulsters, and the white represents peace, so the flag would mean peace between the Gaelics & the Ulsters.
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Mike F.
May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
Ceciliastar, Based on what I have heard from various people, while researching this topic, I believe that your guess is closer to the truth than you may think!
What website do you help out in? I was looking for some different flags and have been checking different prices. I would love to check this one out. Thanks!
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Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson If you judge people you have no time to love them. ~Mother Teresa
The Republic of Ireland's flag is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green (this type of flag is called a tricolor). The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). The white in the center of the flag represents peace between these two groups of people.
The Republic of Ireland's flag is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green (this type of flag is called a tricolor). The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848.
The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). The white in the center of the flag represents peace between these two groups of people.
Interesting side note regarding the tri-color. The actual concept of the Irish Flag was based on the French tri-color.
Not only were Ireland and France known to aid each other (French housing Irish expatriots during the Flight of the Wild Geese, and Irish involvement in the Napoleonic wars, etc.) throughout history....but the Irish were particularly taken with the French revolution. The Irish saw the French overthrow of the bourgious very akin to their own struggle and borrowed many French ideas and symbols (ie...a tri color) for their own fight.
Cheers
(PS...they also gave the Irish set dancing!)
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It's amazing what you can do with a little motivation and a lot of whiskey. -Name that Musician
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