# Choose a new flag for Northern Ireland! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977 "2014-08-06T20:34:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/1 "2014-08-06T20:34:43Z")
Inspired by a comment from local boxer Paddy Barnes, The Belfast Telegraph has run a readers contest for suggestions for a new flag for Northern Ireland. Leaving aside the comedy entrants, some of which are pretty amusing, a few of these are actually pretty good. I find numbers 12, 32 and 65 striking myself. > **[Paddy Barnes calls for new Northern Ireland flag: We are asking you to send...](https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/paddy-barnes-calls-for-new-northern-ireland-flag-we-are-asking-you-to-send-us-your-submissions/30487825.html)** > > Olympic bronze medalist and double Commonwealth boxing champion Paddy Barnes has called for a new flag for Northern Ireland. Following the Belfast sportsman's request we're asking you to send the Belfast Telegraph your own attempts at a new, neutral... ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/2 "2014-08-06T20:45:14Z")
I like 28 and 39. What’s with the red hand on so many of the flags? ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/3 "2014-08-06T20:52:32Z")
Its a traditional symbol of the province of Ulster: > **[Red Hand of Ulster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hand_of_Ulster)** > > The Red Hand of Ulster (Irish: Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is a symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster and the Northern Uí Néill in particular. It has also been used however by other Irish clans across the island, including the ruling families of western Connacht (i.e. the O'Flahertys and McHughs) and the chiefs of the Midlands (e.g. O'Daly, Kearney, etc.). > It is an open hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm fac... And yeah, good choices heh ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/4 "2014-08-06T20:53:16Z")
Why can’t I see the flags? There is one picture in the header of the article, but I don’t see any others. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/5 "2014-08-06T20:55:54Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Why can’t I see the flags? There is one picture in the header of the article, but I don’t see any others. No idea, sorry :\ ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/6 "2014-08-06T21:02:44Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Why can’t I see the flags? There is one picture in the header of the article, but I don’t see any others. I’m seeing it as a slideshow, with arrows to navigate through. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/7 "2014-08-06T21:12:25Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Its a traditional symbol of the province of Ulster: > > [Red Hand of Ulster - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hand_of_Ulster) > > And yeah, good choices heh Ah interesting, thank you. For those not seeing the flags. #28 is like the Union Jack except the red and blue parts are green and the white parts remain white. #39 has Transformers on it. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/8 "2014-08-06T21:42:59Z")
Seems like a good way of getting the killing restarted. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/9 "2014-08-07T15:50:53Z")
I like the comment on #35 (he took the Union Jack, and changed the red to orange, and the blue to green) > [@](#): > > Taking the idea that no matter what new flag is proposed it will cause fury with at least one set of mouth breathers on either side how about this radical design that will infuriate bigots on both sides equally? Perhaps they can finally be united through flag hatred? Submitted by Mick McMenemie ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/10 "2014-08-07T16:01:44Z")
I notice that [red and yellow], and [blue, white, and green] are popular color schemes. What is the significance of those combinations? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/11 "2014-08-07T16:33:59Z")
#8 is bizzare. A tricolor with a gray stripe in the middle? Is that person deliberately trying to create the least-interesting flag possible? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/12 "2014-08-07T16:49:03Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > I notice that [red and yellow], and [blue, white, and green] are popular color schemes. What is the significance of those combinations? Yellow and red is on the traditional flag of the province of Ulster: > **[Red Hand of Ulster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hand_of_Ulster#mediaviewer/File:Flag_of_Ulster.svg)** > > The Red Hand of Ulster (Irish: Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is a symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster and the Northern Uí Néill in particular. It has also been used however by other Irish clans across the island, including the ruling families of western Connacht (i.e. the O'Flahertys and MacHughs) and the chiefs of the Midlands (e.g. O'Daly, O'Kearney, etc.). > It is an open hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm ... Not sure about blue/white/green though. I’m sure there is something deep and meaningful to be said about the founding myth of the province being based on such a bloody and gruesome incident and the subsequent history of the place… > [@mbh](#): > > I like the comment on #35 (he took the Union Jack, and changed the red to orange, and the blue to green) Unfortunately they’re apparently still accepting submissions so number references don’t work but I think I know the one you mean. Some of the comedy submissions are actually pretty witty. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/13 "2014-08-07T22:44:40Z")
The Tayto one, the Ready Saltire, was a decent gag. #35 is an old idea, I believe one of the Gallagher bros had a guitar with that design on it at one stage. #78’s referencing of the Starry Plough is quite neat. #102 is somewhat poignant. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/14 "2014-08-07T23:10:17Z")
Hand of Ulster? Pfft. [Get with the times.](http://www.spwned.net/pics/evil_reskin/0.3_final/flag.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/15 "2014-08-08T01:19:59Z")
I like No 15: Green for the Catholics, Orange for the Protestants, and White in between for No-Man’s Land. d&r No, seriously, I love what you guys have done with your country in recent years. It literally has brought a tear to this jaded man’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/16 "2014-08-08T03:54:33Z")
It’s not a flag, it’s a FLEG. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-a-new-flag-for-northern-ireland/694977/17 "2014-08-08T04:04:19Z")
[Link with awful slideshows removed](http://deslide.clusterfake.net/?o=html_table&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.belfasttelegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal-national%2Fnorthern-ireland%2Fpaddy-barnes-calls-for-new-northern-ireland-flag-we-are-asking-you-to-send-us-your-submissions-30487825.html). I am generally fond of the red hand but it has more baggage with it these days, which is to say that Nationalists might use it, but Unionists **love** it. > [@mbh](#): > > I notice that [red and yellow], and [blue, white, and green] are popular color schemes. What is the significance of those combinations? [Erne flag](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-border_flag_for_Ireland#Erne_flag). Red and yellow is just from the Ulster flag, no?