What Happened to the Old Flag of Northern Ireland? 

The Ulster Flag with the Red hand of the O' Neills (Irish Gaelic Family that Ruled Ulster before the Plantations) is still used as a province flag with all 9 Ulster Counties with the Gaelic Athletic Association in Gaelic Football and Hurling.

you did really well with explaning the history behind the flag of Ulster

The red hand came from a boat race between two kings in Ulster and the rules were whoever touched the bank with their hand would win. The rightful king was losing the race and actually cut his own hand off to throw it on the bank to win the race.

Well done for not stepping on any toes. In my opinion...the red hand will always be a symbol of the Gaels of Uí Neill. I've heard some unionists try to claim the red hand means "stop, no Catholics/Irish allowed up here", which completely eliminates where it actually came from, the story and history

Thank you for bringing this up in a way that doesn’t stoke up tensions

I remember that my old Irish teacher said that the "Red Hand" could also be another translation of "Craobh Rua" which was the name of Conor MacNessa's personal guard in the Ulster Mythological Cycle.

I just found your channel and I am so glad I did. What a hidden gem your channel truly is, please keep up this great work as the standing pillar of history content on youtube.

Can tell you that in golf, both on telecasts and at tournaments, Rory McIlroy and other players from Northern Ireland are always denoted by the Banner of Ulster. Interestingly at the Olympics, where players in all sports are forced to choose between the Great Britain team and the Ireland team, Rory has chosen Team Ireland (though he’s said he hates that he has to make a choice at all), meaning although he is normally shown with a Unionist symbol, at the Olympics he plays for the Republic (and again he is personally completely apolitical and has made great efforts to take no sides, having grown up amidst the dying days of the troubles and seen the violence politics can cause)

I really enjoyed this one mate! I also liked your Sunderland Newcastle video, maybe you could do a similar one to that about Portsmouth and Southampton?

The thing missed in this video is that the Ulster Banner is so-called as it was an "armourial banner", i.e. a flag based on a coat of arms, specifically the arms of the Northern Ireland Parliament. When the devolved parliament was abolished in 1973 the College of Arms advised it was no longer "proper" to fly it on government buildings in Northern Ireland. However when the flag was unfurled in 1953 the devolved Minister of Home Affairs said that although the Union Flag was the official flag of NI, if the people wanted something to represent Northern Ireland uniquely they could use the banner - which is when it passed into common usage (albeit predominantly in unionist communities) Ironically the greatest obstacle to a new unique Northern Ireland flag has been the unionist parties, not the nationalist ones.

since youve done the north you may aswell take a look towards the other 3 Provinces or even the 32 counties as just extra content for Ireland that still connects onto the same idea of flag history

The flag of Northern Ireland didn’t change, though. The flag of Ulster was and is a different thing.

One thing you missed is that St Patrick's saltire representing Ireland was added to the Great Britain flag to make what we now know as the Union Jack, so if the intention in Northern Ireland was to represent everyone in the state that would have been the logical flag to use, however it wasn't the intention.

This is really interesting, and thank you for doing it. I was looking for the flag of NI a few weeks back and ended up being a tad confused. You see I've seen a St George's flag used a lot in sporting events (by the crowd, not the officials) except in some fairly recent years (that I've noticed. I could well have missed it for ages before - I'm putting it down to having a better tv screen...) their cross has "Northern Ireland" or just "N Ireland" running over the crossbar in the middle. I wanted to use a flag icon/emoji and had no idea if NI had got itself one while I wasn't looking, so to speak. I knew it didn't have an official one when I grew up in the mid-60s-'80s. I just wanted to be able to have all four of the countries represented individually for whatever reason (it was undoubtedly part of a RU-vid comment). And the world could see in comparison with everyone else's, my flag is by far the best! 😉 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Hello Hilbert. I noted that no hands were severed during this video, though others have already commented on the tale I was taught about throwing a freshly severed hand to the shore to claim the land first. I look forward to the proposed flag video, though I am prepared for a wait as things in the province take time, as seen in previous videos you did. My girlfriend's family were from the other end of Ireland, but came back from what was their empire too as part of the UK, to find their town part of Eire. They settled in England and became part of the catholic community here. Not all those seen as loyalists were protestant. However, my girlfriend was made to wear Irish green so much by her grandmother that she cannot bring herself to wear it now.

i like the st. patrick’s saltire of a red diagonal cross on a white field. the ulster scots blue flag with red saltire and golden six point star is also pleasant. the red hand is also nice.

In 1921 it was really only a 3 county Ulster (Armagh,Down, Antrim) with the comfortable Unionist majority, the other 3 were very nationalist in numbers. However a 3 county Ulster would have too small to be viable so different ways had to be found to "Gerrymander" boundaries and requirements to vote leading to the 1960s civil rights movement which eventually collapsed and developed into The Troubles in 1969. An example of the consequences of history.

6:20 Londonderry was called so because, Derry was a settlement that was destroyed during the Nine year war. The crown could not afford to rebuild it (yes the English state was almost bankrupt by the war) that they needed London based Business to fund the construction, hence Londonderry. Also it now Londonderry/Derry because of reasons. 8:19 okay this bothers me, the Country is Derry, the city at the time (1921) was Londonderry.

The 'old flag' as you call it is the flag that is still recognised by Irish nationalists. The 'red hand' was associated with the O'Neil clan whose power centre was Dungannon. The De Burgh family includes the singer Chris De Burgh. The normans who came to Ireland in the Norman period are known as the 'old English'. The Norman's settled all over Ireland. The original 9 counties of ulster included co cavan, co monaghan and co donegal. In co monaghan the town of carrickmacross had the Bath/Shirley estate, and viscount Weymouth school was established to provide education. Carrickmacross lace was also 'manufactured' on the estate of Lord Bath as a famine relief scheme. Flags in Ireland are used as 'symbols ' to 'mark out territory'. The Irish tri colour is symbolic of the 'green' nationalists of Ireland and the 'orange' unionists of Ireland. The white in the middle represents 'peace' between the two communities. Has this actually happened? How exactly do these flags 'represent' the present multi cultural population now living in Ireland who 'belong' to neither of these 'two' communities. St Patrick's Cross as part of the Union flag would probably be a better option but then this also does not recognise other patron saints of others. 'You cannot eat a flag' is one quote from a former statesman. Maybe the three crosses representing three nations is the best we are going to have. Changing a flag does not change hearts and minds. Its having respect for each other that matters.

Fair play to you taking on a topic like this one, but you also did a brilliant job with it! Thank you and keep it up.

Well done. A really good stab at a very "difficult" issue.

Professional as ever. Marvellous 👍❤️. +1

Interesting video, thank you

Very good and accurate overall, but there's a minor point I think should be noted. You omitted using a map of the results of the 1918 General Election and instead showed a map of 1910's election. While the 1910 Election does illustrate the difference in political support between the North and South of Ireland, it does however fail to show the rise of Republicanism in the South, as the results of the 1910 Election returned a majority of home rule advocates via the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), with zero MP's on the island elected on a platform of seeking a wholly independent Ireland. 1918's election saw this drastically change with Sinn Féin almost wiping out the IPP, elected on a more radical mandate of achieving an independent republic. The results of this election showed the heightening of North/South division and was the main impetus for the partition of the island. Other than that great job.

Northern Irish person here. I am very middle ground on the status of this country at the moment. I feel more Northern Irish than British or outright Irish and Im open to us having an official flag that represents everyone that calls this place home. I'd also be in favour of changing the national anthem for sporting events for that same reason. It would be a very unpopular opinion to many but we are all allowed our own opinion

Have you done videos on the Crown dependencies adjacent to the United Kingdom?

About the red hand, I can remember reading, many years ago, that the red hand is even possibly older than the Gaelic clans…Ulster (or at least parts of Ulster) was believed to be the part where the indigenous people held out against the celts the longest…and some believe the red hand symbol possibly comes from these indigenous peoples, of which, very little is known…but some believe the Gaelic clans adopted this red hand symbol…

I would love to see you make a video about the adoption of the maple leaf by Canada.

Such a thorough explanation, was there a connection with the star of David on the Ulster banner? Or just a coincidence

Short answer, norn iron isn't Ulster.

For many years the Cross of St Patrick (which is incorporated in the Union Flag) was used to represent NI at the Commonwealth Games. It’s probably only in the past 25 years or so that the so called Ulster Banner (as you say, Ulster has nine counties) has been used. With regards to the future, I doubt a new flag representative of everyone will ever be produced. Flags and symbols are too contentious in the divided society,

Generally in All-Island teams in Irish sports you'll see a flag containing that is simply the Arms of Connacht, Ulster, Munster and Leinster all on one flag, normally on a green background with the sport association logo Or other times the flag is simply the four provincial flags all together in a 2x2 type split

Excellent video and, amazingly, controversy-free. Tricky to handle this subject without treading on toes but you managed it. There will never be a new flag for NI, sadly. This is because about 30-40% of the population has no commitment to the continuation of Northern Ireland. Indeed, NI is blighted by senior politicians who can't even use the phrase, "Northern Ireland". And yes, I'm looking at you, Michelle O'Neil.

Exceptional job explaining accurately and with sensitivity the history of the Ulster Banner. I am Northern Irish and from a Unionist background. I am also a designer and it's always interested me how anyone could create a new flag to please everyone in this country and sadly that will likely never happen as there will always be hardliners on both sides of the community that will refuse to give up the Ulster Banner and other Red Hand associated imagery and Nationalists and Republicans that will simply refuse to recognise any flag other than the Irish tricolour... not knocking anyone on any side for their beliefs just stating hard fact. But still would be interesting to see what someone could come up with for a new flag. Having a functioning government would be nice too! Delighted to have found your channel. Subscribed

De Burghs coat of arms looks like the flag of the Scandinavian Kalmar Union (1390's to 1521) and also the flag of the Church of Sweden.

How about Texas Flags? You’ve got the 6 flags that have flown over Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, CSA, USA. Then there are the Texas Revolution flags like deZavala, Gonzales…

Hilbert, I believe you missed an opportunity to include the Irish Tricolor story in the red hand story.

Came the the flegs, stayed for the flegs. FLEGGGSSSSS

It's not the old flag of 'northern ireland' it's the very real and original flag of the 9 county province of Ulster.

Big fan of that mustardy yellow, very underrated colour as far as flags are concerned. Nice1 Hilbert, another banger. edit: yes, more flags plz.

Yes a very good explanation to a complicated issue. Not sure a new flag for NI would get the use, as Catholic people associate with the tricolour.

Brilliant video, one thing i would say though is the white on the flag is actually based on the white in the St Patrick saltire rsther than the english flag

The border was drawn in 1914 re the possibility of Home Rule and a separate Parliament in the North. Three different individuals were commissioned to draw up border models and the current version was chosen because it went into incredible detail re giving the North the greatest protestant majority possible. That's why the border meanders so much. Then Home Rule was postponed re WW1, The Easter Rising happened and then the war of independence. When the negotiations happened post the War of independence, the British just picked this model already drawn up. There was a border commission set up supposed to look into this post the negotiations, it met but nothing could be agreed so the border just remained as is

Hello sir, what is the map at 5:30 ? thanks

As someone from Derry the idea of a new flag is nice but no matter how representative it is, there will be quite a large minority that would never use it (myself included) due to it representing the state of N. Ireland

The Protestant/British appropriation of the Red Hand that goes back to the native Irish inhabitants of Ulster is disgusting. Northern Ireland was a settler colony of the 1600s and it would be no different than if I, a mostly European-American, claimed the heritage of the Cherokee in north Georgia, USA where I live.

Mm one interesting aspect of the post 1920 partition of Ireland, in NI were the blatently discriminatory laws then enacted by the old Stormont NI Parliament. Look up (all of these were Stormont produced laws): Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (flogging and interment without trial); the Promissory Oaths Act (even road sweeper job needed Oath of Allegiance which most nationalists wouldnt give) and finally, re flags in NI, the notorious Flags And Emblems Act (effectively banned the Tricolour in NI).

Great vid, didnt even know northern ireland changed flags

I don’t have a drop of Irish blood in me, but as an amateur vexillologist find the modern NI flag extremely æsthetically pleasing and very striking. Irish history has always fascinated me and I enjoy reading anything on Ireland’s history. Also a fantastic country to visit with friendly people. Everyone should holiday there at least once in their lifetimes.

Lord West former first sea-lord and Chief of Staff for the Navy is a big fan of giving Northern Ireland its own flag

Nothing changed. The yellow Gael flag it's still the official flag of the province of Ulster. The planter flag is a makeshift flag they threw together for the Queen's visit in the 50s and isn't official in anyway.

The six county ulster banner can be seen at Kingspan stadium

Excellent and objectively correct answer.

Also the map is wrong because Louth was always historically apart of Ulster but due to the plantations It became apart of Leinster

I'm getting popcorn for this, thank you from Belfast.

Why is the hand blood red?

10:40 “type of crown on flag actually changed”. The video doesn’t explain the change. Looking at the flag at 9:20 and at 11:49, is there in fact a change in the flag in your video? I cannot see any difference. Separately, the description in your video isn’t quite right: “the 6 counties of Ireland that remained part of the United Kingdom in 1921”. All 32 counties of the former Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom in 1921. It was not until 1922 that there was a change.

what do u mean movement

‘Historically’ for a place sprung out of existence from nothing in 1921

Per Irish history when the Celts came to Ireland. There was a contest as to how would get the N W per our lore a King who ensured he would win cut off his hand and threw it on the land. The clan of O'Neill does not go back in history of Ireland. The red hand goes back to Neil of the 9 hostages that the clan of O'Donnell and various other Clans can claim their family history beginnings in Ireland

interesting video

Is there a reason why the Union Jack and british flags are slightly longer and more narrow then the "usual" flag proportions?

My grandmother's family coat of arms has the red hand of ulster on it, probably because her grandfather was from a family that originates from scotland but liver in Ireland

“Movement” just call it the Ulster Plantation ffs

FLEEEEGS!

is it tric-olour or tri-colour? I go for the first. Good film.

"movement of protestants" around 1:00 is doing alot of heavy lifting ngl. More like settler colonialism to crush the strongly Irish and Gaelic part of Ireland (Ulster)

9:09 - Wilkinson was a *deeply* odd man, with a deeply odd life. One of the consequences of his life is that he was simultaneously an Irish and British civil servant. For the same position, which only lapsed in the Republic of Ireland with his death.

It didn't change. The flag with the yellow background is the flag of Ulster. That is the 9 counties of Ulster. 3 counties are in the Republic of Ireland and 6 are in Northern Ireland. The flag with the white background is the flag of Northern Ireland as in the 6 counties.

The red cross on yellow background is the 9 county flag as used in Ulster Rugby and GAA White background with Red Cross is Northern Ireland flag . The people of ulster were given the honor of flying the cross of St George red cross on white background by king William the 3rd , the red cross on yellow background is from the De Burgh family

The Irish tricolour is supposed to be an inclusive symbol 🇮🇪. The green represents the Catholics, the orange the Protestants and the white the peace between them.

unionist favorite topic , the flegs lol , oh and pallets

Please visit Micahistory, it would mean a lot!

THIS IS THE CORRECT SPELLING COUNTRY IRELAND COUNTY AS IN 32 COUNTY

Its amazing how peoples emblems and symbols are really not what they think they are

I’m very confused. Northern Ireland does have its own flag, and it isnt the ulster flag that you are talking about…. Additionally - you talk about the Provence of ulster (9 counties), but only show the 6 counties of Northern Ireland on screen - which is just wrong. Other than those minor inaccuracies, great stuff.

Ireland ☘ 🇮🇪 ☘ 😊

As far as I know, there is already a flag that represents all the communities of Northern Ireland: the flag of the Republic of Ireland. The green stands for the catholics, the orange for the protestants, and the white for the peace they should live in.

They should just adopt the Ulster flag but keeping the six pointed star

Being a great lover of Northern Ireland and knowing how warmhearted people the Irish are, I suggest, if ever a flag was to be designed, is to include a Heart

Its pretty well rounded with around a third thinking of themselves as Irish, British & Northern Irish. Also I like the flag & think it should be made more of a thing to represent the Northern Irish people instead of the British. Since I grew up as well both Irish & British I see it as my flag & would rather see it than try & come up with a new one. But if you must do a new one I'd like one like those old medieval flags with a part representing the Scottish heritage of Northern Ireland & its Irish heritage probably the Rampant lion & either an Irish elk or a Harp. the Colour orange should be on it to represent the Protestants & the colour Green for the Irish. probably some other things but I'd rather have that than some bland flag like a tri-colour that just doesn't hold much aesthetic beauty.

That's house glover

The hand is also the symbol of Clan Lamont.

0:50 not just the island of Ireland, the entire UK was partitioned into two states UK and RoI

I loved it.

What about the red x shape on the UK flag?

I’m apolitical Ok but Catholic apolitical or Protestant apolitical?

Ulster has 9 counties and is a province in in Ireland 🇮🇪

How interesting :)

The new flag will probably be a green harp on a rainbow background

Great video as always Hilbert, but I’d like to add that the Red Hand of Ulster is also used in nationalist communities, particularly in the Irish sport of Gaelic games; the original Ulster flag is sometimes used by Irish nationalists, as seen in some instances at Celtic FC games in Glasgow The picture in 7:02 is the proposed boundary commission, which was decided after the Anglo-Irish war ended, it was used to potentially make Northern Ireland “unviable” which tricked the Irish delegation into signing the treaty. The Unionists did aim to have as mush land as possible with a significant Protestant majority. It was Edward Carson who came up with the six-county proposal we know today. It’s also worth mentioning that the Conservative party in England were also supportive of the new state Northern Ireland’s establishment removed the ‘Ulster question’ out of Briths politics. Before this, the fate of counties Tyrone and Fermanagh caused massive debate as to whether they would join Northern Ireland or the Irish free state.

I stayed in Carrickfergus for a few weeks and during my walkabout I came across a painting on the side of a house of the red hand of ulster. ... only problem was it had 6 fingers!!

COME OUT YE BLACK N TANS

Can someone answer why St Patricks flag which is part of the United Kingdom’s flag isn’t the official northern Irish flag?

there's a original flag before the tri-colour, am i right in surmising it was blue background the a Celtic cross? hey, what would i know being a 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 prod. wrong the Red Hand is used in some Orange Walks. a very enjoyable & educational download. thanks m8t as 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 & 🇮🇪 are sister countries.

The red hand is viking, when the tradition of giving the land to the first to land on it, a warrior cut his oen hand off and throw it into the shore, making him the first one to touch the land and claiming it

'De jure' is pronounced /deːˈjuːɾeː/ which is something like 'deh yooray'.

The tricourler was the flag too reunite but it did not happen green for nationalists and orange for unionist and white for peace but no one is ever happy up there

My fifth great grandfather lived in Roscommon, but when he sailed from Northern Ireland to America in 1822, he left from Belfast, not Dublin. We all are Protestants, so I assume he was...especially leaving from Belfast.

Ulster and Northern Ireland are not the same thing. Ulster mprises 9 counties, Northern Ireland includes only , 6 of these. Partition . Confusingly (well it confuses me lol,) people and institutions in Northrn Ireland and the /republic and Great Britain often say Ulster when they mean Northern Ireland. Forexample. Ulster Television operate in the 6 counties. The Police Service of Northern Ireland used tobe called the Royal Ulster Constabulary.