By Frank O'Collins (June 2006)
 
  The Irish tricolour flag of Green, White and Orange bands has been a national flag since the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 and then the National Flag of the Republic of Ireland by its Constitution since 1937.  
 
 
  While North Ireland remains a separate region occupied by the English, the tricolour flag is considered by many nationalists as the flag for the whole of Ireland, sometimes leading to violent clashes and controversy in its display in occupied Northern Ireland.  
  Given its acceptance as the national flag of Ireland as well as the symbol of a united Ireland, why then should it be changed?  
  Towards a common symbol of unity  
  Prior to 1922, Ireland was represented by a number of other flags including the Union Jack (when under complete English occupation), the 19th century unofficial Irish flag, also the flag of Leinster (displaying the symbol of the harp), the flag of the four provinces and the flag of St Patrick’s cross.  
  However, in each case, the flag used as a symbol of nation unity was either the flag of another state, or a symbol already restricted in association to a smaller segment of Ireland than the whole of Ireland.  
  The tricolour, was first flown from the Wolfe Tone Club, on The Mall in Waterford City, on 7 March 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher. It was first used by Irish nationalists in 1848 during the Young Irelanders' rebellion, though the colours on the original flag were in reverse order to the modern version.  
  It was inspired by the French tricolour and the Newfoundland tricolour (Meagher's father was born in Newfoundland) and was designed to represent the Nationalist (mainly Roman Catholic) majority (represented by green) and the Unionist (mainly Protestant) minority (represented by orange due to William of Orange) living together in peace (symbolised by the white band).  
  Current problems and issues with the Irish Tricolour  
  Firstly, the Irish Tricolor represents a symbol of national unity of Ireland, it remains a symbol of great controversy for those living in occupied Northern Ireland.  
  In particular, this is because of its common use by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) over its dead. As a result, the tricolour has become synonymous with the terrorist actions and almost weekly funeral processions through Northern Ireland during the last decades of the 20th Century.  
  Secondly, in addition to its unfortunate association with such terrible acts, the Irish Tricolour also suffers from an identity crisis as a global symbol of a United Ireland in that it is frequently mistaken for the flag of Cote d'Ivoire and sometimes even a faded Italian flag. Furthermore, many citizens from around the world are simply not able to identify the Irish flag as being Ireland given the frequency of tricolor designs for national flags and the non-use of strong basic colors.  
  Thirdly, by literal implication of its original design- the green (Catholic) and the orange (Protestant) remain separate in a “united Ireland”. In other words, every time an Irish flag is flown it continues to reinforce the old battle lines of Catholic and Protestants, of Green and Orange, of North and South.  
  Some may argue that such implications are not present. However, a flag is at its heart and essence supposed to be a symbol of deeper meaning and inference. They are in our world, the most important of national symbols.  
  The need for deeper and improved symbolism  
  With respect to the original idealism of the flags original maker (Thomas Francis Meagher), the very symbolism he thought showed a “united” Ireland continues to reinforce those things that make modern Ireland separate.  
  Therefore for Ireland to ever hope to be united, it must look deeper than any symbolism that reinforces differences and instead finds symbols that are common and unite all the people of Ireland, regardless of their perceived differences.  
  The proposed national flag of a united Ireland  
 

 
  The proposed national flag of a united Ireland designed by Frank O’Collins is represented by a complete Green background upon which a double Triquetra ancient celtic symbol is placed.

  
  The complete Green background symbolizes one land, One Ireland without boundaries or borders. The Triquetra, symbolizes a union of body, mind and spirit of the Irish people as one, the ancient and common heritage of Ireland and more recently it common bond as being a predominantly Christian nation (even if there are differences between Catholic and Protestants).
  
  The power of the proposed flag
  
  Unlike the present flag, the proposed flag symbolizes both unity and complexity as one. It is a powerful and unique standard that is strong in symbolism. The Triquetra is unique in that it provides great meaning to all Christians and all Irish, without continuing to reinforce those issues that are different. Above all, it is abundantly a unique symbol of Irish unity.

 

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