National symbols of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland facts for kids
Symbols of Ireland are marks, images, or objects that represent Ireland. Because Ireland was not partitioned until 1922, many of the symbols of Ireland predate the division into Southern Ireland (later Irish Free State and then Ireland) and Northern Ireland.
Unlike other countries (such as the United States, with the state symbols), Irish and Northern Irish state symbols are rarely defined by official Acts; they are defined by common usage or by various interest groups.
These symbols are seen in official capacities, such as flags, coats of arms, postage stamps, and currency, and in URLs.
They appear less formally as recurring themes in literature, art and folk art, heraldry, monuments, clothing, personal decoration, and as the names of parks, bridges and streets.
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Insignia
Coats of arms
The arms of Ireland are a gold, silver-stringed Celtic harp (cláirseach) on an azure field.
As a region, Northern Ireland has not been granted a coat of arms, but the Government of Northern Ireland was granted arms in 1924, which have not been in use since the suspension of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972, which was abolished the following year. Its notable features included the Irish elk and the banner of the House of de Burgh.
Flags
The flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange, first flown in 1848. The colours stand for Irish Catholicism, Irish Protestantism, and peace between the two.
Although it was originally intended as a symbol of peace and ecumenism, the tricolour is today seen by some Irish unionists as a symbol of Irish republicanism and the Irish Republican Army. Many other flags are suggested as the cross-border flag for Ireland.
The flag of Northern Ireland (Ulster Banner) was used officially between 1953 and 1973. The Union Jack is also used prominently in Northern Ireland and has been the flag of the United Kingdom since 1801. It is derived by combining Saint George's Cross (for England), St Andrew's Saltire (for Scotland) and Saint Patrick's Saltire.
St Patrick's saltire has rarely been used as a symbol of Ireland since Ireland's independence from the United Kingdom. In present day, it is used mostly by institutions in Ireland which were established before independence and which retain historic links to the United Kingdom, for example Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. It has been suggested that the Saltire should be used as Northern Ireland's official flag.
Motto
The Republic of Ireland has no national motto, but Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever) is a popular unofficial motto. Northern Ireland has used the motto Quis separabit?, Latin from Romans 8:35: Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi..., "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
The motto Hiberni Unanimes pro Deo Rege et Patria ("The Irish United for God, King, and Country") was used by Confederate Ireland.
The Society of United Irishmen (1780s–1798) used Equality: it is new strung and shall be heard as a motto.
Flora and fauna
Bird
The northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) was declared the Republic of Ireland's national bird by a committee of the Irish Wildlife Conservancy in 1990.
Northern Ireland does not have an official national bird, but the Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) was unofficially selected in 1961.
The Irish Examiner has put the rook (Corvus frugilegus) forward as a possible national bird, due to their "wild hardiness, spirit, and resilience, in the face of all difficulties, and their ability to cope with style and a bit of craic, with anything that the world throws at them."
In 2016 Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland listed ten possible national birds: European robin, peregrine falcon, common house martin, Eurasian curlew, roseate tern, barn owl, common swift, Bohemian waxwing, Eurasian blackcap, northern pintail.
In 2019, the European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) and roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) appeared on a series of "National Bird" stamps issued by An Post.
Bull
Cattle have been important in Irish mythology and folklore for centuries, due to their economic importance as sources of milk, cheese, leather, and beef, strong>as well as a source of social status. The bull has long been associated with high status in Ireland, appearing as an important animal in Irish several myths, such as the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), Táin Bó Flidhais, and the tale of Glas Gaibhnenn. The prominence of the bull in Irish mythology reflects a prehistory of cattle raising and cattle raiding in which the bull was seen as an important symbol of power among kings.
St Luke's winged bull is illustrated in Celtic style in the Book of Kells, as well as on various Irish stamps.
Dog breed
The Irish wolfhound is generally considered Ireland's national breed, although some, including Michael Collins, have put forward the Kerry Blue Terrier as an alternative.
Fish
The northern pike (Esox lucius) is Northern Ireland's national fish.
"Coarse fish" have been described as the Republic of Ireland's national fish; this category includes the likes of bream, perch and carp.
Sheep
Sheep: Sheep-raising and wool products are historically important in Ireland, and sheep feature commonly in souvenirs sold to tourists,
Wild mammal
The national land mammal is unclear. The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus) has been described as a national animal, as has the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Although extinct, the Irish Elk is also associated with Ireland.
Plant
The national plant is the shamrock (Trifolium dubium or Trifolium repens).
Fuchsia magellanica 'Riccartonii' (hummingbird fuchsia, hardy fuchsia; in Irish deora Dé, "tears of God") has sometimes been described as the national flower, despite not being a native plant.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is widely used as a symbol of Northern Ireland. It is the emblem of the Northern Ireland Assembly, referencing Ulster's linen industry.
Tree
The national tree of the Republic is the sessile oak (Quercus petraea), declared as such in 1990 by Taoiseach Charlie Haughey.
Other accounts give the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) as the national tree.
Culture
Dance
Irish dance is Ireland's national dance.
Instrument
The Celtic harp (cláirseach), great Irish warpipes (píob mhór), uilleann pipes and the bodhrán have all been described as national musical instruments. A gold Celtic harp on a green field has historically been used in heraldry to represent Ireland.
The Lambeg drum which often used in parades of the Orange Order and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, is referral as the unofficial national instrument of Northern Ireland. Also, the flute which is often linked to the parades, is an associated national instrument.
National anthem
"Amhrán na bhFiann" ("The Soldiers' Song") is the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland. Written in English by Peadar Kearney and set to music by Patrick Heeney in 1907, it was translated to Irish by Liam Ó Rinn in 1923; the Irish-language version is considered the official anthem. "God Save Ireland" was used from the 1870s until independence.
"Ireland's Call" has been used by the Ireland national rugby union team and others since 1995.
"God Save the Queen" (alternatively "God Save the King", depending on the gender of the reigning monarch) is used by Northern Ireland as it is a part of the UK. Although its use is controversial amongst Irish nationalists. The Irish folk song "Londonderry Air", sometimes with the lyrics of "Danny Boy" is often used a substitute national anthem for Northern Ireland.
Personifications
There are several national personifications, all female:
- Hibernia, an attractive, vulnerable girl
- Kathleen Ní Houlihan
- The Sean-Bhean bhocht: a poor old woman who needs the help of young Irish men willing to fight and die to free Ireland
- Banba, Fódla and Ériu, three goddesses
- Róisín Dubh (Dark Little Rose)
Poet
Thomas Moore (1779–1852) and W. B. Yeats (1865–1939) are both considered the national poet.
Other
Drink
Irish breakfast tea is described as the national (non-alcoholic) drink.
Among alcoholic drinks, Irish whiskey is the national spirit, with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Tullamore Dew and Bushmills being the main whiskey brands.
Poitín, made from potatoes and with an alcohol content of up to 90% ABV, is the traditional Irish moonshine, brewed illegally since 1661, when a duty was placed on whiskey and other spirits were made illegal. During this time, the name poitín was applied to inferior products. According to one guidebook, "If you see a product labelled "poteen" in an airport or a bar, it's simply a white duty-paid Irish schnapps. By definition, poteen is illegal and can't be sold." The first legally produced poitín was produced in 1987, under the condition that it was not sold in Ireland; poitín was fully legalised in 1997. It now holds GI status in the European Union.
Stout, a dark beer made using roasted oats or barley, is the national beer, with Guinness heavily promoted as a symbol of Ireland. Stout was largely unknown in Ireland when Arthur Guinness opened his brewery in 1759; the traditional beer was Irish red ale.
Irish coffee, made with coffee, whiskey, sugar and cream and invented in Foynes in 1943, has been described as the national cocktail.
Food
The national DISH of Ireland is the Irish stew; other national dishes include the full Irish breakfast/Ulster fry and bacon and cabbage.
Gemstone
The national gemstone is Connemara / Conamara marble.
Patron saint
Saint Patrick, a 5th-century bishop born in Britain, is Ireland's patron saint.
Sport
Gaelic games constitute Ireland's national sports: Gaelic football, hurling, camogie rounders and Gaelic handball.
Irish road bowling (bullets) is another Irish sport.
Card game
Several sources give forty-fives (also called "45" or "25") , or its variant form Spoil Five, as the Irish national card game.
Weapon
Gerald of Wales saw the battle axe as Ireland's national weapon.
