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Irish heraldry

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File:Alexander Liptak—Coat of arms of the O'Donovans of Clancahill.png
Irish arms typically display a crest, helm and mantling resting atop of the shield, a practice not entirely universal in heraldry. The coat of arms of the O'Donovans, Chiefs of the Name (pictured), also depict supporters by ancient right.

Irish heraldry are the forms of heraldry, such as coats of arms, in the Republic of Ireland. It is regulated by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

Terminology

In English, achievements of arms are usually described (blazoned) in a specialized jargon that uses derivatives of French terms. In Irish, however, achievements of arms are described in language which, while formal and different from plain language, is not quite so opaque as Anglo-Norman terminology is in English. Nevertheless Irish heraldic terminology is a kind of specialized jargon. Examples include the use of Irish gorm and uaine for blue and green, as compared to the French-derived azure and vert used in English blazon.

Tinctures Metals Paints or Colours Furs
Escutcheons
English Or Argent Azure Gules Vert Purpure Sable Ermine Vair
Irish Ór (órga) Airgead (airgidí) Gorm Dearg Uaine Corcra Dubh Eirmín Véir
Ordinaries

Ríphíosaí

English Chief Pale Fess Bend Bend sinister Chevron
Irish Barr Cuaille Balc Bandán Clébhandán Rachtán
Ordinaries

Ríphíosaí

English Cross Saltire Pall Pall subverted Pile Bordure
Irish Cros Sailtír Gabhal Gabhal aisiompaithe Ding Imeallbhord
Division of the field
English Party per fess Party per pale Party per bend sinister Quarterly Quarterly charged with an inescutcheon
Irish Gearrtha Deighilte Cléroinnte Ceathair-roinnte Ceathair-roinnte móide lársciath
Lines of division
English Wavy Indented Engrailed Invected Nebuly Embattled Dovetailed Potenty
Irish Camógach Eangach Clasach Dronnógach Néállach Táibhleach Déadach Cathógach

Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland

Main article: Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland

The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, sometimes incorrectly called the Office of Arms, is the Republic of Ireland's authority on all heraldic matters relating to Ireland and is located at the National Library of Ireland. The office was constituted on 1 April 1943, taking over the records of the Ulster King of Arms, a crown office dating from 1552.

It has jurisdiction over:

  • All Irish citizens, male or female
  • Persons normally resident in Ireland
  • Persons living abroad who are of provable Irish descent in either the paternal or maternal line
  • Persons with significant links to Ireland
  • Corporate bodies within Ireland and corporate bodies with significant links to Ireland but based in countries with no heraldic authority.

Irish Coat of Arms

Main article: Coat of arms of Ireland

The Coat of arms of Ireland is blazoned as Azure a harp Or, stringed argent - a gold harp with silver strings on a St. Patrick's Blue background. The harp, and specifically the Clársach (or Gaelic harp), has long been Ireland's heraldic emblem. It appears on the coat of arms which were officially registered as the arms of the state of Ireland on 9 November 1945. The harp has been recognised as a symbol of Ireland since the 13th century

References

  1. Williams, Nicholas (2001). Armas: Sracfhéachaint ar Araltas na hÉireann. Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim. pp. vii, 224, 39 Plates. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. Civic Heraldry of Ireland, National arms of Ireland, Ralf Hartemink, 1996
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