Green represents the Roman Catholic majority and the older Gaelic tradition. Orange represents the Protestant minority and the supporters of William of Orange. White in the center represents a lasting peace and truce between the two.
History
First flown in 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher, who received it as a gift from French women sympathizing with the Irish cause. It became the national flag after the 1916 Easter Rising.
Construction
A 1:2 ratio. A vertical tricolor of green, white, and orange.