As with many nations, there are a number of flags that represent Ireland at home and abroad. The flags represented here are those of the nation of Ireland (often referred to as the Republic of Ireland).
The national flag of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach Náisiúnta), also known as the tricolour, is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. The flag proportion is 1:2 (length twice width). The green is representative of the older Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the two cultures.
The tricolour is regarded by many nationalists as the national flag of the whole of island of Ireland. Thus it is flown (often controversially) by many nationalists in Northern Ireland as well as by the Gaelic Athletic Association. In international politics, the Tricolour is the official flag of the Republic of Ireland – Northern Ireland has no official flag of its own.
Historically, the island has been represented by a number of other flags, including the Saint Patrick’s cross, and the Flag of the Four Provinces of Ireland. The President’s Flag includes the historic symbol of Ireland, the harp, to create a distinguished symbol to represent the position.
The Flag of the Four Provinces includes the flags representing the ancient provincial areas of (clockwise from top right) Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht. The provincial structure of Rugby, Gaelic Games and, increasingly, soccer in Ireland is based upon a provincial structure.
