Flag of Northern Ireland - Saint Patrick's Saltire

Saint Patrick's Saltire

Saint Patrick's Saltire, a red saltire on a white field, was used from 1783 in the badge of the Order of Saint Patrick. After the Acts of Union 1800, the saltire was added to the former flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain to represent Ireland in the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It is sometimes used informally to represent Northern Ireland. In 1986, government policy during state visits to London was to fly the crosses of George, Andrew and Patrick and the Welsh Dragon. The government clarified that the Union Flag was the flag of Northern Ireland, not the Saint Patrick's Saltire or the Ulster Banner. In 2008, David McNarry suggested it should be allowed in Northern Irish number plates analogous to the flags allowed on English, Scottish, and Welsh plates. The barge Gloriana during the 2012 Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant flew flags for the four 'home nations' of the United Kingdom, including the Saint Patrick's Cross for Northern Ireland.