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19th Century Flag: Green Ensign.

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19th Century Flag: Green Ensign. A flag used by some Irish Merchant Shipping. heavy cotton 124 by 264cm., 49 by 104in. There is evidence that the Green Ensign, although never officially approved, had been used by some Irish ships since the 17th Century. The early versions use the emblem of the Irish Revenue – a "Mermaid" Harp surmounted by a crown in gold. However the background should have been St. Patrick's Blue rather than emerald green according to the authorities. In the 1830s The Western Yacht Club used the Green Ensign for a while. In some cases Irish vessels had this flag confiscated by authorities in harbours in Britain, Ireland and the West Indies according to some records. In 1872, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in reply to the Admiralty, declared the use of the Green Ensign to be incorrect, and in support attached a well researched paper by Sir J. Barnard-Burke, Ulster King of Arms supporting the choice of blue as the National Colour of Ireland. Thus the Harp is shewn as gold on blue in the Royal Standard, and indeed since the 1930s the same is the Standard of the President of the Republic of Ireland. A scarce and interesting flag.

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