GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 10

GENERAL

The National Color

Green is universally regarded as the Irish color. But antiquarians say that green as the national flag of Ireland is of comparatively modern origin. The latest authority to express an opinion on the subject is the Rev. Canon Ffrench, a learned member of the Royal Irish Academy. He does not accept the explanation that the green (lag was adopted by the United Irishmen at the close of the 18th century by blending the orange and the blue, the latter being then regarded by some as the Irish flag. The emerald green standard was used in Ireland in the 16th century ; but it was not till the 18th century that it became the National color.