The colors orange and green hold special meaning in Ireland due to their association with Irish nationalism and the conflict in Northern Ireland. Orange represents Protestant unionists who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, while green represents Irish Catholic nationalists who want Northern Ireland to leave the UK and join a united Ireland. This article will explore the history behind these color associations and their role in Irish culture and politics.
History of the Orange Order
The color orange is associated with the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization founded in 1795. The Order was named for William of Orange, the Protestant king who defeated the Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This secured Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. The Orange Order’s members pledge to uphold Protestant ideals and British rule in Ireland. Historically, Orange marches were held on or around July 12 to commemorate King William’s victory. These marches were seen as triumphalist and provocative by Catholics.
The Green Harp Flag
The color green was first associated with Irish nationalism in the 1790s. The Society of United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group, used a green flag with a harp to represent their movement. Green symbolized their Irish heritage. The harp flag became a symbol of Irish nationalism through the 1798 and 1803 rebellions. In the 1916 Easter Rising, the republican insurgents flew the green harp flag to declare an Irish Republic independent of Britain.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the colors became entwined with the sectarian conflict known as “The Troubles” between 1968-1998. The mainly-Catholic nationalists who wanted Northern Ireland to leave the UK flew the green, white, and orange tricolor flag of the Irish Republic. The mainly-Protestant unionists who wanted to stay flew the British Union Jack.
| Color | Represents |
|---|---|
| Orange | Protestant unionists, loyal to the Crown |
| Green | Irish Catholic nationalists, republicans |
Rioting, bombings, and civil rights marches led to violence across the color line. The British army was deployed in 1969. While initially welcomed by Catholics, they were seen as unionist-biased. This exacerbated the divide.
Key Events of the Troubles
Some key events that contributed to tensions:
- August 1969 – The Battle of the Bogside, fighting between nationalists and police
- January 1972 – Bloody Sunday, British troops shot 26 civil rights protesters in Derry, 14 died
- March 1972 – The British government suspended Northern Ireland’s parliament and imposed direct rule
- July 1981 – Ten IRA prisoners died in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike
- November 1985 – Britain and Ireland signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement giving Dublin a consultative role in Northern Ireland
Paramilitary groups on both sides were responsible for bombings and assassinations. The IRA targeted British soldiers, police, and civilians, while loyalist groups like the Ulster Volunteer Force targeted Irish republicans and civilians. Over 3,500 people died during the Troubles before the Good Friday Agreement brought peace in 1998.
Flags Today
The colors remain contentious in Northern Ireland. Loyalist areas displayorange banners and Union Jacks year-round. In nationalist areas, people fly the Irish tricolor and hoist green flags during celebrations. Each July, the Orangemen march with orange sashes and banners commemorating Protestant victories, raising tensions with nationalists.
The power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly adopted a neutral flag in 1998 showing six symbols: the Red Hand of Ulster, Star of David, the Christian cross, shamrock, crown, and Irish harp. But it lacks popular resonance.
| Flag | Image |
|---|---|
| Orange Order Flag |  |
| Irish Tricolor Flag |  |
| Northern Ireland Neutral Flag |  |
Sporting Colors
In sports, orange and green represent Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland football team wears green and white shirts. Fans wave orange, white, and blue Union Jack flags. The Republic of Ireland team wears green shirts with a shamrock crest. Fans wave the Irish tricolor.
Gaelic games like hurling and Gaelic football are also color-coded. In Ulster, most teams wear the provincial colors of orange and white. In the other Irish provinces of Munster, Leinster and Connacht, county teams wear striking greens and reds.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 showcases Irish green pride worldwide. The color green and shamrocks represent Irishness on St. Patrick’s Day. Cities around the globe host parades where people don green clothing and accessories, and landmarks “go green” with lights. Green food and drink are served, especially green beer. While more a secular than religious holiday today, St. Patrick’s remains an opportunity for the Irish diaspora to celebrate their roots.
Green Politics
Green is the color of Irish republican and nationalist politics. Sinn Féin, the oldest and largest Irish nationalist party, uses green in its logo. Other Irish parties like Fianna Fáil use green in their branding too. In the Republic of Ireland, green is also associated with progressive political movements. The Irish Green Party supports environmentalism, pacifism, social justice and grassroots democracy. They have seen a surge in popularity and support in recent years.
Orange Parades Still Controversial
While the Orange Order has a lower profile today, its July parades still generate tension and spark violence in Northern Ireland. The parades pass through or near Catholic areas like the Crumlin Road in Belfast. Nationalists see them as provocative, triumphalist and supremacist. They argue restrictions should apply given the region’s sectarian history. But Order members insist it is their cultural right to commemorate Protestant history and victories. Parades continue but are often re-routed after negotiations with authorities.
The Future
What does the future hold for orange and green in Northern Ireland? The colors remain deeply embedded in Loyalist and Irish nationalist identities. New generations may gradually distance themselves from sectarian associations. But the colors are likely to persist as markers of cultural background for the foreseeable future. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement created the framework for peace, and progress has been made. But ongoing divisions mean orange and green continue to mark political and religious loyalties in Northern Ireland today.
Conclusion
The colors orange and green are inextricably linked to identity and rivalry in Ireland. Orange represents Protestant unionists in Northern Ireland who want to remain part of the UK, while green symbolizes Irish Catholic nationalists who want a united Ireland. This color division became entrenched during the Troubles conflict from 1968-1998. Though progress towards peace has been made, orange and green still mark political, religious, cultural and sporting allegiances today. The colors remain potent reminders of Ireland’s divided past and hopes for a more harmonious future.
