The Ulster Banner the flag of the former government of Northern Ireland 1953 - 1972

The Ulster Banner^[1], also known as the Ulster flag^[2][3] the Northern Ireland flag^[4] or the Red Hand of Ulster flag^[5], was the Flag of the Government of Northern Ireland between 1953 and 1972. It is still used to represent Northern Ireland in some sporting events in which Northern Ireland competes.

[edit] Origin

Flag of the Province of Ulster

Arms of the former government of Northern Ireland, 1924–1972

A variation of the Ulster Banner with the Union Flag in the canton

The flag is a heraldic banner taken from the coat of arms granted in 1924 which is based on the flag of England^[6][7][8] and the flag of Ulster,^[9] with the addition of a crown to symbolise the loyalty of Ulster unionists to the British Monarchy. As with the flag of Ulster, it contains the Red Hand of Ulster at the centre. The six pointed star represents the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. The flag is also sometimes referred to as the "Red Hand Flag", "the Flag of Northern Ireland", the "Northern Ireland flag" or as the "Ulster Flag" (not to be confused with the provincial Flag of Ulster).

[edit] Official use

The Ulster Banner was the official flag of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1953 to 1972, but is unlikely to ever be used in an official/government capacity to represent Northern Ireland or its government in the future because, for various reasons, it is not accepted by many in the nationalist community.

In 1924, the Government of Northern Ireland was granted arms by Royal Warrant and had the right to display these arms on a flag or banner. This right was exercised for the Coronation in 1953. Between 1953 and 1972, this flag was the arms of the Government of Northern Ireland and commonly used during this period and beyond as a de facto civil flag. It ceased to have official government sanction when the Parliament of Northern Ireland was dissolved by the British government under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

[edit] Use in society

The Ulster Banner is used within the unionist community, along with the Union Flag. A variation of the flag places the Union Flag in the Canton, and another superimposes both the red hand and the outline of a map of Northern Ireland on the Union Flag.

The flag is regularly displayed by fans of the Northern Ireland national football team.^[10][11] It is also used to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games,^[12][13] and various other sporting competitions.

[edit] See also

• List of British flags
• List of Northern Irish flags
• List of flags of the Republic of Ireland

[edit] References

1. ^ Groom, Nick (2006). The Union Jack: the Story of the British Flag. Atlantic Books. p. 295. ISBN 1843543362. 
2. ^ http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/notes/snpc-04474.pdf
3. ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070514/text/70514w0005.htm
4. ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60713-0954.htm
5. ^ http://www.limavady.gov.uk/filestore/documents/good_relations/Web_Questionnaire.pdf
6. ^ Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) at Flags of the World
7. ^ CAIN: Symbols - Flags Used in Northern Ireland
8. ^ flag of Nordirland to Buy. World flags database
9. ^ Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
10. ^ Northern Ireland page at FIFA web site
11. ^ Northern Ireland page at UEFA web site
12. ^ Commonwealth Games Federation
13. ^ Telegraph

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