Irish Down Under

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Comment by Ger Mugan on December 12, 2008 at 14:56

The Irish Australian Flag was raised for the first time at the Vinegar Hill Woolshed on 10th March, 1988. On that occasion the flag was broken out by Australian media personality Mike Bailey on behalf of the Irish Week Committee.

The flag features the constellation of the Southern Cross taken from Australia's National Flag, combined with a golden harp, a symbol of Ireland since the 15th century.

The winged lady, a representation of the "Maid of Erin", appears inspired by the Southern Cross, alluding to the contribution that Irish settlers and their descendants have made to the development of Australia. The maid wears a garland of golden wattle in her hair.

The green and gold colours of the flag reflect the links between Australia and Ireland. Green and gold were adopted as Australia's National and Bicentennial Colours in April, 1984. According to the Vexillological Society of Ireland, green and gold are the traditional colours of Eire and are believed to have been first used in the 17th century as a symbol of the Irish people.

The flying of the Irish Australian Flag commemorates over 200 years of Irish influence on the Australian landscape and lifestyle and denotes the importance of the Irish contribution to the Australian way of life.