34 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



We next come to consider 



The Aems of Ireland, 



which occupy the third quarter of the shield. The heraldic blazon of 

 this coat is " Azure, a harp or : stringed argent." That is to say, on a 

 blue ground, a golden harp with silver strings. The first thing that 

 attracts our attention concerning this achievement is the colour of the 

 field or ground, which is blue. At the present day it is well known that 

 the green has been adopted by the people of Ireland as the 



National Colour; 



but antiquaries and experts in heraldic art tell us that this selection is 

 of comparatively modern date. By some it is said to have its origin 

 from the blending of the colours of the two opposing factions — the 

 orange and blue — by the United Irishmen at the close of the 18th 

 century (1791), under the celebrated Theobald Wolfe Tone. But on the 

 other hand good authorities say that the green was used as the colour of 



The Arms of Ireland. — Fig. 16. 



the National Standard of Ireland as far back at least as the 16th century. 

 Sir Bernard J. Burke, formerly " Ulster King of Arms," says that 

 "Previous to the Anglo-Aorman invasion there was no colour or stan- 

 dard for Ireland at large.^' Brian Boru's banner at Clontarf was red. 

 The favorite colours in those days were crimson, saffon, and blue. Green 



was not in favour Since the introduction of English Eule the 



national colour, established by, and derived from, the Eoyal Arms has 

 been invariably blue. But this colour has not taken in modern Ireland, 

 and Sir Bernard himself when called upon to compose the Arms for the 

 Eoyal University of Ireland (1881), blazons the Arms of Leinster as 

 vert (i.e. green), an Irish harp, Or. The adoption of green by Sir B. 

 Burke instead of blue, as heretofore, was either in deference to modern 

 national sentiment, or perhaps for sake of distinction, as he gave azure 

 for Munster, and the field of the Connaught Arms is also argent and 

 azure. As all the four Provinces are qiiartered on the shield (see fig. 

 16), there would have been three azures, which would not have a good 

 effect. May we not hope that when Ireland gains " Home Eule," which 



