Did you know that the St Patrick’s flag dates all the way back to 1782 when Britain acknowledged the exclusive right of the Irish parliament to legislate for Ireland. A year later the Order of St Patrick was established to reflect the country’s enhanced constitutional status and the regalia worn by the knights of this order was a red saltire (a diagonal cross) on a white background.
After its adoption by the order of St Patrick the flag began to be used by other institutions. In 1800 the act of Union came into play which joined the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain and the saltire was then added to the British flag to form the Union Flag. The Union flag is still used in Great Britain today and is one of the most recognised flags across the world.
Did you know that the St Patrick’s flag dates all the way back to 1782 when Britain acknowledged the exclusive right of the Irish parliament to legislate for Ireland. A year later the Order of St Patrick was established to reflect the country’s enhanced constitutional status and the regalia worn by the knights of this order was a red saltire (a diagonal cross) on a white background.
After its adoption by the order of St Patrick the flag began to be used by other institutions. In 1800 the act of Union came into play which joined the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain and the saltire was then added to the British flag to form the Union Flag. The Union flag is still used in Great Britain today and is one of the most recognised flags across the world.