MORE SYMBOLS OF IRELAND
__________"Erin Go Braugh" means Ireland Forever__________
 

 
 

The Harp
 

The oldest official symbol of Ireland is the traditional celtic harp.  Ancient harpists, who were often blind, occupied an honored place in Irish society and, together with bards, played an important role in the social structure, supported by chieftans,  noblemen and kings.  Men were sent to Ireland from all over the world to learn harp playing.  When the harp became an expression of rebellion during Rennaisance times, Queen Elizabeth I issued an order to "hang the harpers wherever found"

 

 

 


 

The Flag of Ireland
The flag dates from the 1800's and is divided into three equal stripes.

 

~ ~ ~

  

Its colors signify:


 


 

Green:
Native Irish Descent

White:
Hope for Unity between
Northern Ireland and
the Republic of Ireland.

Orange:
17th-century British
Colonist Descent



The Claddagh
 

The Claddagh is a heart being held by a pair of hands with a crown above.


A symbol of love and friendship.

The hands are friendship, the crown is loyalty, the heart is love.
 


The Claddagh ring originated in Claddagh, overlooking Galway Bay and said to be the oldest Irish fishing village. Today, the ring is worn extensively in Ireland, either upon the right hand with the heart pointed outwards, showing that the wearer is fancy free, or with the heart turned inwards to denote that he or she is spoken for. The best  place is on the left hand, with the heart turned inwards, showing that the wearer is happily married.
 

 
 


 
 
      The Shillelagh
 

The shillelagh (pronounced shi-LAY-lee) is the Irish word for oak club.  The shillelagh is said to represent the staunch spirit of the Irish and their perseverance.  In older times they were used as fighting weapons.  Serious fighters had two sticks: one to ward off blows and another to deliver them.  Originally they  were made out of wood from the Shillelagh Forest in County Wicklow before it was cut down as part of the timber industry.  A club cut from an oak was known as a sprig of shillelagh. Today shillelaghs are commonly used as walking sticks and are made of blackthorn, as oak is scarce.

 


 

 
HOME   BACK
 
 


Remember 9-11-01
 

~ About Me ~ Beans & Bags ~ My Beasties ~ Big 60 ~ My Blog ~ Fall Colors ~
~ Holidays ~ Site Map ~ Tributes ~ What's New ~ Words of Wisdom ~
 
 


<bgsound src="stpatsday/irishwasherwoman.mid" loop="infinite">
"Irish Washerwoman"

updated 7-25-05
created 2-27-03