1 The Tricolour and Northern Ireland

Ironically, the main symbolism of the flag (unity and respect between nationalists and unionists) has not become a universal reality. In the Government of Ireland Act 1920An Act to Provide for the Better Government of Ireland more usually the Government of Ireland Act, 1920 (its official short title) was the second act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to provide for Irish home rule. The bills of 1886, 1893 we, Ireland was partitioned, with the unionist-dominated north east becoming Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland through a mechanism provided in Sections 11 to 15 of the Anglo-Irish Treaty opted not to join the Irish Free State but instead to remain part of the United Kingdom. The Northern Ireland state used the British Union Flag and its own derivation of the ' Red Hand of Ulster' flag (with a crown on top of a six pointed star) to symbolise the state.

Its symbolism has allegedly been undermined by its use by some extremist Irish republicans, who used it to honour dead Provisional IRA members who had killed members of the unionist community, it being placed over the IRA member's coffin. Visitors to Northern Ireland are often struck by the symbols used by both sides provocatively to 'mark their territory' and challenge their opponents. Kerb-stones in unionist and loyalist areas are painted red, white and blue, the colours of the Union Flag, while in nationalist and republican areas kerb-stones are painted green, white and orange (but is usually referred to as "green, white and gold" -- to circumvent using the word "orange", which refers to the unionists). Elements of both communities fly their flag from chimneys and tall buildings.

Nationalists from the Republic of Ireland have often complained at such usage of the National Flag. In particular, its usage by Sinn Féin, a republican party, at election counts in the 2002 Irish general election to triumphantly celebrate its electoral victories caused considerable comment and criticism in the Irish print and broadcast media, the party and its members being accused of showing 'gross disrespect' to the National Flag.

Under the Belfast Agreement, provision has been made for 'parity of esteem' in how symbols are used in Northern Ireland. The British flag is no longer flown over Parliament Buildings and state offices except on a limited number of 'named days' (honouring, for example Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday), and the Lord Mayor of Belfast displays both flags in his own offices. In time, it is expected that both communities will grow more tolerant of each other's symbols and flags, allowing the tricolour to be flown more freely in Northern Ireland than at present.

2 Saint Patrick's flag

From 1783 to 1922, the usual flag used to symbolise Ireland was known as Saint Patrick's cross, being a red saltire on a white field. It was the symbol of the Order of St Patrick, and was incorporated into the Union Jack following the 1801 union of Great Britain and Ireland.

The pattern clearly resembles Saint Andrew's cross in the flag of Scotland. It may have been adopted from the arms of Earls of Kildare (the Fitzgerald family). An Irish coin from the 1480s has two saltires on it; a map of the 1601 battle of Kinsale shows a combined Irish/Spanish force under a red saltire; the seal of Trinity College, Dublin, from the same period, shows the saltire under a harp, opposite Saint George's cross under a lion; two Dutch 17th century guides also described it as the Irish flag.

Its use is not now common, but it is the basis of the neutral police badge adopted by for the new Police Service of Northern Ireland. It is also used by the Reform Movement in the Republic of Ireland.

National flags

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