Irish Coast Guard

Something I thought before due to recent events reminded of, is what a bad flag the Irish Coast Guard have. It is a white flag with the logo of a stylised harp and anchor in the centre.
This is highlighted on Facebook in the last 24 hours or so following the tragic loss of one of their search & rescue helicopters, with this sympathetic image of support:

It is the Coast Guard flag with the black stripe of mourning and the helicopter's call sign. This highlights what a bad flag it is, and feeling that brave men and women of the Irish Coast Guard deserve better, I have three proposals:
The first is an ensign, which follows the same lines as the Republic of Ireland's yacht ensigns. A blue field with a tricolour canton and the cap badge of the coast Guard in the fly:

The badge is similar to that of the cap badge Irish Naval Service but with Defence Forces (which itself appears to be based on a Royal Navy officer's cap badge) emblem replaced with a harp.
Second is a jack, I did initially thought of putting an anchor on the Republic of Ireland flag, but as their flag protocol forbids defacing the flag, I designed a different flag based on the tricolour.

It is inspired by the tricolour but also the style of the stripes on rescue helicopters. This way a tricolour and anchor can still be used but the at the same time the flag protocol of the Republic of Ireland is observed.
Last but not least is a ceremonial flag.
It features the blue harp on a blue field from the state coat of arms, within a rope circle flanked by anchors:

Like the cap badge worn by the Irish Coast Guard the ceremonial flag has influences from the colour of the Naval Service.
 any one of these flags with a black stripe would make a better emblem of support than the current flag.
Thoughts and prayers for the family of the pilot of the Rescue 116 and those of the still missing crew members.

Development & History of Irish Flags Pt16: Military flags of 20th & 21st Centuries Post2 RoI

Defence Forces colours on parade

Continuing on from Part 8, Part 13and Part 14 and post 1 we look at military flags of the modern era. post will focus on the development of the colours and flags of the Irish regiments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of the Irish Defence Forces of the Republic of Ireland. The 20th Century was one of the most important and bloody in Irish History, the effects and feelings still very much felt today. Post 2 will look at the flags used by the military of the Republic of Ireland known as the Defence Forces. 

Defence Forces of the Republic of Ireland

The Defence Forces Cap Badge

The cap badge of the Irish Defence Forces is worn by all branches and on all uniforms. It is the oldest symbol of the organisation. It was originally designed Professor Eoin MacNeil for the Irish Volunteer Force and adopted in 1914 by the IVF. 

It consists of the letters "FF" inside an ancient warriors belt surrounded by sunburst and placed on a star. The "FF" stands for Fianna Fáil which loosely translates to warriors of destiny. The word Fianna coming from the celtic warrior tribe of ancient Irish mythology. It predates the political party Fianna Fáil which was founded in 1926. The wording on the belt "Óglaigh na h-Éireann" means soldiers of Ireland. The sunburst being a symbol of the Victorian Fenians and adopted by the IVF as seen in Part 12. The star has no official symbolism and is merely decorative. Upon independence the Free State army many of whom had been in the IVF adopted this as their cap badge, and it has been used ever since. 

Early flags

Railway Protection, Repair & Maintenance Corps flag of 1923,
the first recorded flag of the Irish Defence Forces

Unlike the Irish Volunteer Force whom the Defence Forces claim they originate, the Irish army was slow at adopting military colours of any description, which is contrary to the IVF who were quick to establish a committee and lay down a standard design of unit colours, perhaps recognizing that symbolism for them was as important a weapon as a firearm. In fact only one unit appears to have adopted a flag during the Civil War (at which time the army was more than 50,000 strong) seems to have been the Railway Protection, Repair and Maintenance Corps. This was the first of a handful of flags, which lacking official colours and standard regulation in regard to them, army units adopted themselves and it tells. This flag was blue poplin with a gilt fringe and blank on one side. On the other a shamrock was in each corner, and a gold army badge with green lettering was in the centre, around which was the unit's name (in English) in couched metal thread. Although it could be argued that their were more pressing issues in the Civil War, these didn't exist in the peace between it and the Emergency that corresponded with second continental war in Europe in the 1940s. Infact a lot of attention was made on a couple of occasions to restyling the uniform, badges and insignias of the Permanent Defence Force as it was then called. But despite this very little attention was paid to flags or colours. 

The forgotten flags

In 1931 arrangements do appear to have been made to issue battalion colours, and at least three flags were made, however they were never issued to any battalion. 

The three flags in question were locked away in storage until they were rediscovered in 1954, and issued as the colours of the 1st, 2nd and 4th Brigades. These flags were of an extremely elaborate uniformed pattern. They were blue flags with gold fringe and rope. Across the of the field in green, gold and light blue was a Celtic decoration, This form of pattern being seen as something uniquely Irish in the 1930s, despite the fact that Ireland was not the only Celtic nation. In the same style of pattern a triangular pattern possibly representing a spear head was placed in the middle. The tip overlay the pattern at the top, and stretched towards the corners towards the bottom. Near the top of this "spear head" was the badge of the Defence Forces. Below the badge each flag had a different piece of embroidered artwork depict historic Irish battles, possibly alluding to the military establishment trying to link themselves to the warriors of the past despite having no real organisational linage to them, possibly to give the military more legitimacy or to inspire it's soldiers or both. 

Example of the rather over the top flags made in 1931,
but not issued until 1954!

The first flag depicted Hugh O'Neil Earl of Tyrone fighting Palesman Segrave at the battle of Clontibret 1595, complete with red hand. Above this was the Gaelic inscription "Lamh dearg abu" (Up the red hand). Below was the inscription "Cluain Tiobrad 1595" (Clontibret 1595) The second flag depicted an Irish warrior taking the raven flag of the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf in 1014, an event which may not have even happened. Above was the inscription "Badh sonairt ar n-airle" (let our will be firm) and below " Cluain Tarbh 1014" (Clontarf 1014). The final flag depicted an event from the 1691 siege of Athlone, In which a Jacobite soldier; Sgt Custume  led a small handful of men to defend the bridge into the city. Above is the inscription "Conoirg uathath fri sochaide" (the few prevailing over many) and below "Atha Luain" (Athlone). 
These flags are magnificent pieces of art in their own right, however they are not the stuff of military colours, and are more reminiscent of an indoor tapestry rather than an outdoor flag. Set aside the fact that they are hugely complicated they bear no identifying marks or insignia for the unit they belong to. 

Corps & Pennants

Corps flags

Since the end of the Civil War the Defence Forces have had a tradition of colour coding flashes and insignia from rank insignia to unit flashes. Many of the services had formalised service colours (colour here is literal and not referring to a flag) and badges that were worn on uniform collars. Many individual units used their own unofficial insignia. In 1942 the services were rebranded "corps" and in 1944 the Adjunct General confirmed all badges and insignia brought into use during and before the Emergency (WW2).  Each corps adopted its own unofficial non ceremonial flag, this consisted of the corps badge on the appropriate coloured field. The corps flags are as follows:

The Infantry Corps has a purple field with the corps insignia in the centre which consist of two crossed rifles below which is the word "infantry" in Gaelic:

The Ordnance Corps consists of a crimson flag, with a purple shield bearing the corps insignia which is an ancient shield, flanked by weapons such as spears, axes and cannons.

The Cavalry Corps flag is a black flag with gold border. In the centre is the corps badge, which is a rather badass looking breastplate on top of a crossed sword and rifle, behind which is what appears to be a round shield, flanked by a wreath, with the corps name in Gaelic.

The Engineers Corps flag is a  yellow flag with the corps badge in the centre, which is a crescent shape at the bottom with the corps name in Gaelic, Out of this a theodolite is protruding. 

The Communications and Information Services Corps (formally the Corps of Signals) use a blue flag with the corps insignia, which features an angel supporting a shield bearing an atom. 

The Artillery Corps flag is orange with a white boarder. The corps badge in the centre. The Corp badge which is clearly inspired by the Royal Artillery Badge of the British Army, features a cannon and gunnery equipment, upon which the personification of Erin is seated with her harp. Below is a scroll bearing the corps name in Gaelic. 

The Medical Corps flag is a teal coloured flag with a white boarder. In the centre is the corps badge is a crest of a yellow hand (similar to that on the Royal College of Surgeons coat of arms) flanked by two Rods of Ascleplus. Above which is the Army's title "Óglaigh na h-Éireann" and below the corps' name in Gaelic.

Company Pennants

Flag of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (disbanded)
2nd (Eastern) Brigade 

The Defence Forces never issued colours for battalion sized units but many unofficial unit colours were adopted and used, although recently the military command has clamped down on such flags. These unofficial flags came in all shapes and sizes, some had the unit shoulder patch in the centre, others had the corps insignia with the unit number above, some even displayed the brigade shield.

 Company sized units do carry pennants. These are official flags that must conform to a standard pattern that hasn't changed since the Emergency. These flags don't really have any ceremonial or symbolic significance, but they are consecrated. These flags are similar to the Company Colours already mentioned in post 1. They are also amongst other things carried by the right hand person in the front rank for forming up purposes. They are carried over the shoulder on a 1.98m half pike made of ash. The standard design is the almost the same as the corps flags mentioned above, in that the insignia and field colour are the same. However the battalion number is embroidered above and the company letter/number below the corps insignia. The shape of the pennant itself is also dependant on the corps. Infantry pennants are a triangle shape, Artillery are a bugree shape and cavalry use a swallow tailed pennant. 

Cavalry, infantry, artillery and engineers company pennants on parade in Cork on St Patrick's Day

Defence Forces Training Units

the colours of the training units for officers
& enlisted ranks 

In 1954 a colour probably for pass out parades was authorised for the Cadet School, responsibil for the training of officers. This was a blue flag bearing a golden sunburst and an officer's sword pointing upwards towards the motto "the road ahead of me" in Gaelic which is a quotation from the 1916 Easter rebel Patrick Pearse. 

This would eventually be followed by the Defence Forces Training Centre, who's rather plain flag is also blue, with the cap badge in the canton. In the centre is the centre's insignia of a red shield with a gold oak leaf, below which is the unit's name in Gaelic. 

Service & Brigade Colours

In 1964 a decision was eventually taken to establish a uniformed set of six colours, one for each of the brigades (the Defence Forces had six brigades compared to the current strength of two). The designs were drawn up and the first was ready by Easter 1966. These flags can be used both in a colour party with the national flag and independently.  Two Brigades each were assigned to the Southern, Eastern and Western Commands, and the flags featured the colours of the command on the field which was divided either vertically or per bend diagonally. The Southern Command (1st & 3rd Brigades) are coloured blue and yellow. The Eastern Command (2nd & 6th Brigades) are blue and green, and the Western command (4th & 5th Brigades) were blue and white. These were not coincidently the colours used on the provincial flags which each command mainly covered. The defence forces cap badge is in the canton and the brigade number is in the lower fly. A heraldic insignia unique to the brigade occupies the centre of the flag.  

Southern Command

Examples of Brigade colours
from each 1964 Command

• 1st Brigade - the field is divided per bend/diagonally, yellow above blue. The centrepiece is a stylised bow of a ship encircled by an antique crown the colour of which is counter changed with yellow and blue. This image is a combination of symbols from the arms of Munster and the city of Cork.
• 3rd Brigade - the field is divided the same way as the 1st Brigade but with blue above yellow. The central image is a white tower encircled by a crown with the colours counterchanged like the 1st Brigade flag. A green flag flies from the tower and a crossed rifle and spear overlie the rest of the device.

Eastern Command

• 2nd Brigade - the field is divided vertically in the centre between green and blue. The centerpiece depicts a rising sun with a flaming tower and Irish harp superimposed on it. The sun is the sunburst symbol of various earlier Republican groups including the Fenians and Irish Volunteer Force. Tower is from the arms of Dublin City and the harp no doubt represents Leinster. 
• 6th Brigade - The field same as above but with the blue and green the other way around. The centre device depicting a white cross in a red circle (the symbol of the Catholic Confederation of the 1640s) combined with the representation of a pike head. The intention to show military symbols of the Kilkenny - Wexford - Waterford area. 

Western Command

• 4th Brigade - the field divided vertically down the centre, blue and white. The centre piece shows a symbol of a black eagle, partly dimidated so that the left side depicts a hand holding a dagger. The eagle is holding a furze branch in it's talon. A representation of a broken bridge in red is on the eagle's breast. The eagle/dagger hand are the arms of the province of Connacht. The bridge is that from the Battle of Athlone in 1691 and the furze symbolising the Irish midlands. 
• 5th Brigade- The field divided as the 4th Brigade but with the colours reversed. The centre badge also depicts the Connacht eagle superimposed with a combination of white crosslets (from the arms of the O'Donnells) the Furze branch is omitted. 

Revisions in Defence strategy and the overall strength and structure of the Defence Forces have led to a reduction to three Brigades and then two (the Western command being disbanded in 2012 for finance reasons) meant that many of the colours have been laid up, however the 1st and 2nd Brigade colours are still in use by the army. 

Naval Service & Air Corps

Irish military and state vessels had flown the tricolour as their national ensign since the creation of the state. A small marine arm was successfully used in the civil war, although it was disbanded after (under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty the Royal Navy policed Irish waters and maintained a base at Cork until the new constitution of 1937, and in 1938 fisheries protection was carried out by vessels of the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries) although a "Marine Service" was established in WW2 which laid the foundations for a permanent Navy. The Naval Service succeed the Marine Service in 1946 immediately adopting the national flag as the naval ensign. It's ships are given the abbreviation 'LE' for Long Eireannach (Irish Vessel) before their names.  In 1947 the historic green harp flag was adopted as the Navy Jack. This is a secondary flag flown at the bow of a ship (the jackstaff) and used to represent the nation alongside the ensign. It is flown when the vessel is at anchor, moored, alongside or underway when "dressed." Why the green harp flag was adopted over others I am unsure, perhaps because it's arguably seen as Ireland's second national flag or perhaps it's history or both. A masthead pennant was also introduced. This is a long white flag with a blue field in the hoist bearing a harp. It is used whenever a vessel is in commission (most of its life with the Defence Forces) and may have also been used by the Marine Service in 1939. 

In 1996 the Naval Service was issued with a ceremonial colour for use by honor guards at commemorative and ceremonial events like state visits.  This is a double sided flag. The colour on both sides is navy blue with a gold border, the obverse bears the Defence Forces badge superimposed over two crossed anchors. The reverse features the state harp in a rope circle below which is the name Naval Service in Gaelic.

The Air Corps was also given a a ceremonial flag. This composed of red and yellow diagonal stripes with the emblem of the corps in the centre, In the canton is the Defence Forces badge in the lower fly is the aircraft roundel.

 

colours of the Naval Service and Air Corps

Strictly speaking aircraft roundels probably shouldn't appear in this series, but they are the flags of the air and I feel deserve a brief mention. The Irish Air Corps have used a variety of roundels and markings over the years to identify their aircraft. The earliest ex-RAF aeroplanes were simply painted with the new national tricolour flag. In 1923 a standard roundle of the national colours had been adopted. This consisted of an orange dot, sounded by white and green rings. 

 This roundle was short lived and had been replaced by 1923, possibly not surprisingly because of its similarity to the roundel used on British military aircraft. The new markings consisted of green, white and orange stripes across the wings and on the rudder. By the outbreak of war in 1939 though a rather Korean Karma looking "Celtic Boss" insignia of green and orange was placed on the aircraft fuselage and on the tops of the wings (the stripes continued to be used below the wings), often in the centre of a white square on camouflage painted aircraft (Ireland used some makes of aeroplane used by the RAF and clearly didn't want misidentification) It was also decided to adopt a modern fin flash rather than just painting the rudder (although this still happened on some aircraft) this was still stripes of the national colours. In 1954 white was added to the "Celtic boss" so that it included the national colours, and a celtic trillium or airplane propeller depending on your viewpoint. This was adopted on both sides on the wings and the fuselage. A modern fin flash was also adopted, this was still stripes of green, white and orange however the size was often smaller and the proportions adjusted to better reflect the national flag.

The 2nd Cavalry Squadron (The Blue Hussars)

The 2nd Cavalry Squadron forms the Irish Presidential escort, also known as the Escort of Honor. The tradition of the escort goes back to 1931 when horse mounted soldiers were organised into a special state escort for VIPs. They were known as the Blue Hussars due to the style and colour of their ceremonial uniforms. In 1949 Cavalry Corps motor cyclists replaced the colourful mounted soldiers however the nickname stuck and certain references to the original Blue Hussars are reflected in the uniform and in the colour of some of the motorbikes of the 2nd Cavalry Squadron. All the bikes in the escort fly a flag or pennant. The officer leading the escort flies either the Presidential standard of Ireland or the relative national flag of the VIP, dignitary or visiting head of state being escorted. The escort commander and commander of the rear troop of the escort fly a burgee shaped with with the unit insignia. The rest of the escort fly black, red and green (Cavalry Corps colours) pennants from their bikes. 

2nd Cavalry escort note the corps colours of the pennants and unit insignia on the flag of the lead bike

Overseas flags

The Defence Forces occasionally send personnel overseas as part of United Nations or European Union missions, the first UN mission being sending observers to Lebanon in 1958. Traditionally a special unit is formed for overseas service consisting of personnel from all over the Defence Forces, this unit is presented with a special flag before deployment which is then laid up in Arbour Hill Church, the Defence Forces national chaple when the unit returns home. Historically these were green flags, the first had the badge of the infantry corps in a purple circle in the centre, above this was the battalion/mission number and the words "Irish Battalion" in gaelic around the central badge.

flag of the 89th Irish Battalion sent overseas

flag of the 32nd Irish battalion sent overseas with the UN or EU

Only about five or six of these flags were made before the design was changed to better reflect the Defence Forces as a whole. The design was still a green flag, but with a shield in the centre, above which was the number and below which was the words "Irish Battalion" in Gaelic. The shield consisted of seven quarters each bearing a unit insignia which were: The 1st Brigade (Spear), 2nd Brigade (bow and arrow?), 3rd Brigade (arm & dagger), Training centre (oak leaf), Naval Service (anchor), the Air Corps (winged roundel) and the Defence Forces HQ (sword). Infantry groups had the same design except the text read "Infantry Group" in Gaelic. 
Military Police and Transport companies had smaller flags similar in size to company pennants that were also green. The Military Police had three red and blue stripes diagonally in the canton. The number above the letters "PA" in red in the centre below which was the text "MP COY" on a blue tab. 
Transport companies flags were also green with two red and gold stripes running diagonally. In the centre was a winged wheel. The canton had "IRELAND" in gold lettering and the number and "TRANSPORT COMPANY" in the lower fly. The company sent as part of the international Kosovo Force was slightly different. It had the mission abbreviation "KFOR" in the canton and the text " Irish Component 1 Transport Company" in the lower fly. 
More recent missions overseas have see a slight break from green flags to purple. The Irish contingent sent as part of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea had a purple flag with gold boarder. The Defence Forces cap badge was in the centre, and the Abbreviations "IRCON" in the canton and "UNMEE" in the lower fly. The Irish contingent of the United Nations Mission in East Timor had a purple flag with the infantry corps badge in the centre. In the canton was the abbreviation "IRCON" and "UNTAET" in the lower fly. 

For more in this series see the links below or click the label History of Irish flags:

Also in the Series

Pt 1 Early Flags

Pt 2 Dawn of Heraldry

Pt3 Origins of the Harp

Pt 4 St George in Ireland

Pt5 Rebels Invaders and Civil Wars

Pt6 Jacobites & Williamites
Pt7 St Patrick's Saltire
Pt 8 Military flags of the 18th & 19th Centuries

Pt 9 The Rising of 1798
Pt 10 Union Jacks & Green Harp Jacks
Pt 11 Fenian Brotherhood
Pt 12 the Home Rule Crisis
Pt 13 Foreign Military Service

Pt14 The Tricolour
Pt15 Flags at Sea
Pt16 Modern Military flags Pt1
Pt 16 Modern Military flags Pt2

Fresh Flags: Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Ireland

I was directed to this website via Facebook and thought I'd share it. Its principally concerned with a new Northern Ireland flag, but also has ideas for a new Republic of Ireland flag, and All Island flag for sporting events and cross border bodies.
The website FreshNI can be found here.
I would like to share the designs, which are interesting and generally rather good, and offer some comments.

Northern Ireland

First off is the Northern Ireland (or Ultonia from the latin for Ulster as the website thinks is a more distinct name, I will continue to use Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Ireland for the island so as not to overtly complicate things) flag proposal:

All these designs are attributed to Palomca, who is responsible for a number of NI flag designs, but
this is what he considers his best. It is rather good in that it is simple and not at all complicated, with minimal colours. The only suggestion I would make is to colour the central hexagon (a reference to both the six counties and the Giant's Causeway) possibly gold (red and gold are colours associated with the province of Ulster):

The change is minimal but it really emphasizes the central emblem better, but that is only my own personal tastes.
As well as a flag a coat of arms is also proposed:

As seen in the image its really a modified variant of the former Northern Ireland coat of arms but with the design changed on the shield, and a few other modifications. I particularly like the compartment with the arrangement of six shamrocks and six flax flowers. I like the Ulster-Scots reference in the flag staffs, something I have also alluded to in one of my NI coat of arms designs, although more directly with a St Andrew's Saltire:

too much! My design

The supporters in my design featured a lion representing the British identity bearing a St Andrew's Cross for the Ulster-Scots, and an Irish elk with the historic green harp flag representing the Irish identity, of course both supporters are working together to support the shield. However my arms are very complicated with too many different symbols. Where as the above mentioned proposal is rather simple which works. I am not quite sure with replacing the cross of de Burgh with the lion rampant (a royal banner) however the fact that it is not the complete banner but the lion only alleviates my concerns around using a royal flag. Originally my arms had a motto in both Irish and Ulster-Scots but it is probably better to leave such text out for political ease .
Overall I approve.

Republic of Ireland

It is suggested that the Republic of Ireland change its flag to a gold saltire on green field defaced with the harp from the state coat of arms:

The rational behind this is that the tricolour is not a distinctive design the same way the stars and stripes or Union Jack is. Where as this is, change the colours to black and white and this is still a recognisable flag.

At first I was sceptical about a gold saltire. I have seen various flag design including a saltire to mimick St Patrick's cross, including blue, white and green crosses. This is not really how heraldry works, and I was fearful that this flag might be another example of these poorly planned designs. St Patrick's Cross specifically a red saltire. 

However this design is a rather effect combination of symbols, including the harp, the tricolour and St Patrick's Cross. The gold colour of the saltire comes from mixing the orange of the tricolour with the red saltire to make gold, which fixes the problem of a meaningless saltire. 

Green and gold are also distinctive colours in Irish nationalism.
The only problem I have is that the coat of arms in the middle belong to Leinster. The Irish arms are a blue shield:

I would change the colour again which emphasises the central emblem and it keeps the colours to a minimal of three.

Ireland

There is no universally accepted formal flag flag for the island of Ireland. This has lead to sporting organisations and other all island and cross boarder bodies using a variety of flags often unique to their organisation.  

According to the website  Palomca's main influence in this design were souvenirs from the Catholic Eucharistic Congress of 1932, when they celebrated 1500 years since St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. Both feature St Patrick's Cross but on one the field is green, and he simply improved upon it by observing the rule of tincture:

What I really like about this design in conjunction with the other two, is that it looks like a combination of the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland flags. I don't know if that was intended but nonetheless its an effect I really like, and if these two flags were adopted would make this design a perfect all island flag.

  

Ulster-Scots

The design of a Ulster-Scots flag features a St Patrick's Cross combined with that of St Andrew, a theme that has appeared on other flags from Ulster. Being from that proud stock of people myself I am sympathetic for an ethnic flag. The design in question also features a red hand of Ulster and red lion of Scotland:

I think the positioning of the red hand and lion is a little odd, personally I would place them on the top and bottom quarters so that they have a more central position:

 I personally think this is a better variant of the design but I still think it looks odd. The combination of Scottish and Ulster symbols is not an easy one, and the flag would look quite distinctive without the hand and lion so I would suggest dropping them and sticking with the saltires. Or if you want to reinforce the Ulster symbolism just drop the lion. I think most Ulster-Scots my self included have a deep attachment to the red hand (which is odd if one considers its history) that we don't have to the same degree for the lion rampant.  

Well thats it, please feel free to comment and make sure you visit the website for yourself. Many thanks to Palomca for allowing me to post and share his material. 

Development & History of Irish Flags Pt15: Flags at Sea

Ireland is an island, and as such it has always had a close relationship with the sea. Coastal communities and fishing towns were once urban centres, shipbuilding was one of the main industries in the industrial north at one point boasting the biggest shipyard in the world. Even the RMS Titanic arguably the most famous ship in the world was built on the island. (and was it was Okay when it left us!) Many people over the years have left the island by sea, So the flags used at sea deserves a post to itself.

St George's Cross

The earliest known use of flags in Irish Waters is the cross of St George, patron saint of England. The use of flags at sea to distinguish a vessel's nationality roughly dates from the middle ages, a time when Ireland was a Lordship of England. You might remember the incident in 1537 from Part 4, when a Portuguese ship was captured by a local chieftain, and the government's response of attacking the village and castle, on which "St George's Standard" was put up. There can be little doubt what flag those government vessels flew. St George's Cross appeared on many other nautical flags, such as ensigns and jacks, including the former flag of the Commissioners of Irish Lights used until 1970 (right) and is still used on the House Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), who operate all over the British Isles.The House Flag flown from Lifeboat Stations in the Republic of Ireland. is the same as that in the UK. 

 St Patrick's Saltire

The first flag of Ireland, the saltire known as St Patrick's Cross. One of the earliest references to the flag is a picture of of flying from a ship.(Hibernia 1576, John Goghe). The flag also appears on many flag charts, most of them naval, which suggest that this flag must have been used by Irish ships. One such book is Neptune Francois published in Amsterdam as early as 1693. This depicts a saltire on a white field, which in some hand coloured copies is red. Above and below are the French and Dutch words for Irish: Ieres and Irlandois.

Irish ensign according to 1785 newspaper

Further evidence to this flag being used by the Irish at sea comes from a 1785 newspaper report from Waterford states about ships leaving for the colonies that:"Upwards of forty vessels are now in our harbour, victualling for Newfoundland, of which number thirteen are of our own nation, who wear the St Patrick's flag (the field of which is white, with a St Patrick's cross, and an harp in one quarter.)"
It was even adopted for the House Flag and jack of the Republic of Ireland's state shipping company, Irish Shipping until it was liquidated in 1984, it is still included in the house flag of the Commissioner of Irish Lights. For more on St Patrick's Saltire see Part 7.

Red Ensign

extract of Dutch painting depicting the
burning of the English Fleet

The British ensign system consisted of red, white and blue flags with the national flag in the canton (St George's/St Andrews Cross before 1707 and Union Flag post 1707). There is references to red and blue ensigns featuring harps being used by the various naval ships often with Irish connections. A Dutch Painting depicting the burning of the English fleet during their raid on the Medway in 1667, the worst defeat of the Royal Navy (something of which thankfully didn't happen often). In this painting the English ships are flying a red ensign depicting a harp. 

Irish Customs ensign 1768

With the establishment of modern customs, these vessels had to be distinguished from other ships. Ireland had its own Customs and as such Irish customs vessels fly a distinct ensign, which had a harp ensigned with a crown. There is evidence of this flag being used in 1768. 

When Ireland became integrated into the United Kingdom the red ensign without any insignia became the normal national flag at sea. This became official in the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, which stated the red ensign should be the national colours of all British Civil ships. 

Irish Merchant ensign 1841-1939, Still used by NI and other
British registered vessels

Coincidentally after the Irish Free State was formed the red ensign remained the official civil ensign of the new state, as the Tricolour was reserved for naval and other state vessels. There are stories of dissatisfied skippers hauling down the red duster (which is what it is commonly called) as soon as they entered international waters, and flying the tricolour unofficially. It was not until the outbreak of World War two, during which the Irish Republic was neutral, that the tricolour was extended to all ships, to avoid them being mistakenly attacked by Axis navies. The red ensign is still used by vessels registered in Northern Ireland as its the UK's civil ensign.

Green Ensign 

The Green Ensign is an interesting flag surrounded by myth and debate. Some speculate it might have had official status at some point, but others go as far to say it never existed at all despite it appearing in several historical references. It certainly had no official status after the Irish Act of Union, however there is evidence that it was still used regardless. One theory is that at some point naval ensigns like the ones mentioned above were adopted by civil ships who changed the colour to green. 

extract of Boal's Universal Display of the
 Naval flags of all the Nations in the World (1783)

There are various reports of "green ensigns" being used as the national colours of Irish vessels. The Royal United Service Institute produced a pamphlet on flags in 1895, written by a Rear Admiral Bloomfield. It depicts a green flag bearing a harp, with a St Patrick's Cross in the canton and states it was used in Irish waters between 1688 and 1694. However no source is given with it, so where the Admiral got his information from might be suspect. A better source depicting a green ensign from about the same time is the National Geographic Flag Book (1917), which depicts a green ensign with a harp, and St George's Cross in the canton. It states that this flag was the Irish ensign used at the beginning of the 18th Century. It also states that the author got their information from a book by John Beaumont published in 1701. 

Ship flying the UK red ensign and what appears to be an
 Irish green ensign from her mainmast

The fact that the book states it was used at the beginning of the 18th Century suggests it might have been used in the late 17th Century and it is possibly this flag with the St George Cross that Admiral Brook intended rather than St Patrick's Cross. Also the fact that its mentioned at the beginning of the century suggests that the St George Cross was replaced with the Union Jack (1606) in following the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707. Despite the Act of Union (1707) St Georges Cross variant of the flag continues to appear in many flag charts, although some were quoting historical examples or using out of date sources. Of course another explanation could be that there was no official national merchant ensign (the first Merchant Shipping Act was not until 1786) so it could be possible that the St George's variant could have stayed in use. It could also be the case that it was used in conjunction with the British red ensign.

extract of National & Commercial Flags of All Nations
Published  G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. in 1874

The St George Cross was all but phased out by 1800, being replaced by a Union Flag. There are records of ships flying variants of this flag throughout the 19th Century, One such example happened in Spain. in 1846 the Governor of Gibraltar forwarded a report from the Admiralty Agent of the British Steam Packet 'Royal Tar' to William Gladstone, Colonial Secretary. The Agent had reported that while at anchor at Cadiz, a small trading brig belonging to Harding & Co. of Dublin had hoisted a green Ensign with a Harp and Crown in the fly and a Union Jack in the corner of it. He added that as there was no recognised flag of that colour and pattern belonging to the United Kingdom, he had expressed his intention of hauling it down as had been done on two other occasions in Ireland on board of the same vessel. The captain of the brig was reported to have said that he hoisted the flag in compliment to H.M. Pendant.
In the covering letter the Governor wrote that in his opinion such a Flag ought not to be allowed to fly in any port where there was a British Consul and that if met with on the High Seas might be dealt with as the emblems of a piratical vessel. The British Consul at Cadiz certainly would be authorised to hold from it, all Consular aid and make a protest to the Spanish Authorities in the name of the Queen's Government against its display.
The report was passed on to the Admiralty via the Home Office. The Admiralty Secretary replied that, "My Lords have no observation to make on the subject."

The suggestion of withholding consular assistance is most interesting as one of the possible reasons why the green ensign was used instead of a red ensign or indeed a nationalist flag, was to express an Irish identity, but keep the protection and influence of Britain, who had the biggest navy in the world. It continues to appear in flag charts throughout the Victorian period, it also appears in encyclopedias and atlases, possibly to fulfill the vexillologists need for a flag, and the green ensign being similar to other British colonial flags, (although Ireland was strictly speaking an integral part of the United Kingdom rather than a colony or dominion). 

It may have continued to be used as an alternative to the red ensign right up until 1939.

The White Ensign

The White ensign is used by UK warships, however it is also flown by the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Irish version, the Royal Irish Yacht Club also flew a white ensign, however the third quarter of the flag depicted a harp on blue field:

Historical RIYC ensign

The white ensign is still traditionally used by the RIYC, however it is not defaced with a red cross, displays a crowned harp in the fly and has an Irish tricolour in the canton. Interestingly the crown is the Tudor crown which is not currently used in Commonwealth heraldry, suggesting a historical use of the title "royal" rather than a connection to the UK or Royal Family.

Current RIYC ensign 

Blue Ensign

There are very few references to Irish blue ensigns, those were ensigns used by the government but there are some notable examples, such as the Congested Districts Board ensign, which featured a crowned harp and the letters "CDB"

The ensign of the Department of Agriculture, Dublin also flew a blue ensign, this had a white disk with a wreath of shamrock, inside was a blue disk with a gold Irish harp. Vessels of the Northern Ireland Government flew a blue ensign, with a white disk featuring the letters "GNI" between 1929 and 73. 

 The Commissioners of Irish Lights flew a blue ensign defaced with its badge featuring a light house, this is still used by CIL vessels registered in the United Kingdom, although the modern use of helicopters has seen the use and number of CIL vessels and ensigns as a result decrease. 

In the waters around modern Ireland however blue ensigns are mostly associated with yacht clubs. In Northern Ireland both the Royal Ulster Yacht Club and Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club fly UK blue ensigns featuring their club badge:

Yacht Clubs in the Republic of Ireland also use Blue ensigns with a club badge in the fly, but tricolour in the hoist, like the national yacht club ensign:

The Green Flag

Never used officially but there are various examples of green harp flags being flown by vessels often in protest, often a warship was despatched to request the vessel to fly the correct colours. The most notable example of a green harp flag being flown at sea, is the first recorded use of the flag. From the mast of the Frigate St Francis which was a ship of the Confederation of Kilkenny in 1642 mentioned in part 10.  To this flag is appropriately the Irish Naval Jack.

Irish Defence Forces, Naval Jack

The Tricolour

The Irish tricolour was the state ensign from the country's inception, it was not officially used by merchant and civil shipping to begin with though, as already stated the British red ensign was used. The only reason it was extended to all ships registered in the Republic of Ireland was when war broke out in Europe in 1939. Eire was officially neutral throughout the entire conflict (although many Irishmen left to serve in the Allied forces) where as the United Kingdom was not. Therefore Irish ships needed to distinguish themselves as neutral, therefore the use of tricolour was extended to all ships, and remains the case today (with the exception of certain yacht clubs who use their own special ensigns, with a tricolour in the canton). In fact many ships painted large tricolours to their hulls with the word "Eire" (Ireland) in large white colours, so as not to be mistaken. This did not however help the SS Irish Oak when she was torpedoed and sank by German submarine U-607 in 1943.

SS Irish Oak listing to port after being torpedoed by a German Submarine in 1943

RMS Titanic 

I suppose this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning the flags flown from the most famous vessel in the world (even if it is famous for all the wrong reasons), built in Belfast. This is based on photographs I have seen. Here are the flags from bow to stern:

Jack Staff - British Civil Jack

The use of the Union Jack at sea has been restricted to warships since the 1600s, therefore civilian vessels used a version with a white boarder to distinguish it from the Naval Jack.This flag probably wouldn't have been used at sea. 

Foremast - USA flag

Although built and registered in the United Kingdom, the company that owned Titanic, the White Star Line was American. It therefore flew the flag of the United States from the foremast as this was the nationality of the company if not the ship, this was a common practice of the time. The flag Titanic flew had 46 stars, and was only used for four years before two other stars were added in July 1912. 

Aftmast- House flag

House flags were and are common with most ship companies, and come in all shapes and sizes. The flag of the White star line was a red swallow tailed flag bearing a white five pointed star.

Ensign- British Blue Ensign

This flag flown from the stern represented the ship's nationality. The red ensign is used by civil ships and the blue by government vessels. As Titanic was registered as a "Royal Mail Steamer (RMS)" and carried "His Majesty's Mail" she had a warrant to use the blue ensign. 

Mail Pennants

I havn't seen this flag in any photographs but as Titanic was an RMS it is likely that she flew the Royal Mail pennant.
Here is a great wee guide to flags used by White Star Line.

For more in this series see the links below or click the label History of Irish flags:

Also in the Series

Pt 1 Early Flags

Pt 2 Dawn of Heraldry

Pt3 Origins of the Harp

Pt 4 St George in Ireland

Pt5 Rebels Invaders and Civil Wars

Pt6 Jacobites & Williamites
Pt7 St Patrick's Saltire
Pt 8 Military flags of the 18th & 19th Centuries

Pt 9 The Rising of 1798
Pt 10 Union Jacks & Green Harp Jacks
Pt 11 Fenian Brotherhood
Pt 12 the Home Rule Crisis
Pt 13 Foreign Military Service

Pt14 The Tricolour
Pt15 Flags at Sea
Pt16 Modern Military flags Pt1
Pt 16 Modern Military flags Pt2