The Flag and the Anthem

The Irish Flag

More information on Flags at the end of this page. Click here for more information on 1916 Commemorations.

The National Flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange. Green is the emblem of the older elements of Ireland, orange is the emblem of the newer elements, while the white is a token of brotherhood and union between the two.

The Irish Tricolour was first recorded as early as 1830. It was the flag of the Young Ireland Movement. After 1916 the Irish Tricolour was acclaimed throughout the country as the National Flag. The Irish Constitution 1937 confirmed the Tricolour to be the National Flag of Ireland.

In order to show respect to the Flag, we should note:

  1. No other flag should be flown above our flag.
  2. The flag should be carried at the head of a parade.
  3. When flown with other flags, it should be on the extreme right.
  4. Our flag should be flown between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
  5. The flag should always be clean and presentable when flown.

Citizens may salute the flag be removing head-dress and placing the right hand over the heart. When the National Anthem – the Soldier’s Song – is played in the presence of the flag all should face the flag and stand to attention.

© Fallons (1971)

Click here for more information on 1916 Commemorations.

The young citizen and his environment 2 by J. Waldron.

The National Anthem

The Text of The Soldier’s Song (Amhrán na bhFiann), consisting of three stanzas and a chorus, was written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney, who together with Patrick Heeney also composed the music. It was first published in the newspaper, Irish Freedom, in 1912. The chorus, of which the words are given below, was formally adopted as the National Anthem in 1926, displacing the earlier Fenian anthem, God Save Ireland. A section of the National Anthem (consisting of the first four bars followed by the last five) is also the Presidential Salute.

Please click here for a PDF of Notes for the key of D.

 

Sinne Fianna Fáil,

Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,

Buíon dár slua,

Thar toinn do ráinig chughainn.

Faoi mhóid bheith soar,

Seantír ár sinsear feasta,

Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.

Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,

Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil,

Le gunna scréach, faoi lámhach na bpiléar,

Seo libh canaíg amhrán na bhFiann.

 

© Unknown source

  • The Flag is a cloth symbol attached to a Flagpole.
  • The Field is the background colour of a flag.
  • The Canton is the upper corner of the flag nearest the flagpole.
  • The Flagpole is the pole that holds the flag.
  • The Halyard is the rope that raises and lowers the flag on the flagpole.
  • The Fly end is the edge of the flag farthest from the flagpole.
  • The Truck is the ornament at the top of the flagpole.
  • The Hoist is the edge of the flag nearest the flagpole.

Click here for more information on 1916 Commemorations.

Please click here for a PDF of Notes for the key of D.