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AIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVES

• Promote an awareness, appreciation & knowledge of Ireland’s heraldic heritage.

• Promote the proper use of coats-of-arms in Ireland.

• Research the histories, including family, military, club, institutional and corporate histories, associated with the use of heraldry in Ireland.

• Advise on the design and facilitate the registration of assumed coats-of-arms in Ireland.

• Undertake All-Ireland group projects aimed at creat-ing an on-line database and educational resource on the use of heraldry in Ireland.

• Promote indigenous heraldic enterprises producing authentic Irish designed and crafted heraldic products.

AIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVESAIMS & OBJECTIVES

• Promote an awareness, appreciation & knowledge of the heritage associated with flags and emblems.

• Promote the proper use of the National Flag

• Research the histories associated with the use of flags and banners in Ireland.

• Advise on the design and facilitate the registration of flags and banners in Ireland.

• Undertake All-Ireland group projects aimed at creat-ing an on-line database and educational resource on the use of flags and banners in Ireland.

• Promote the design, creation and use of flags by civil society groups in Ireland drawing on the history, heri-tage and culture of their localities.

Genealogical Society of Ireland, 11, Desmond Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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Member of FIAV— Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques

Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann : Genealogical Society of Ireland

www.familyhistory.ie

LINK TO GENEALOGY— both heraldry and vexillology have strong links to genealogy. Studying heraldry frequently involved tracing the family history of the armiger.

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CREATE & REGISTER

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WHY FLAGS & EMBLEMS? The history and development of flags and emblems in Ireland has been very closely associated with genealogy. All of our ancestors were either ‘flag wavers or followers’ and this social and cultural narrative is important to our understanding of their lives and of the history of Ireland.

HERALDRY— is the study or art of devising and blazoning arms, tracing genealogies associated with the arms. It also deals with the description of armorial bearings (coats-of-arms) and accessories in conventional heraldic terminology.

VEXILLOLOGY— is the scientific study of the develop-ment, history, symbolism, design and proper use of flags and banners. It is a relatively new field of study, once believed to be a branch of heraldry. Now it is a worldwide field of study.

Obtaining your own coat-of-arms in Ireland can be very costly with prices starting around €2,000 for a ‘Grant of Arms’ from the Chief Herald of Ireland. Clearly out of the reach of most citizens.

You could purchase a readymade ‘family crest’ like anyone else of your surname. But surely you really want something special?

There is nothing preventing you from creating and assuming your own coat-of-arms for use on your personal stationery, business or vehicles. Likewise there is nothing preventing you from designing and using your own family or business flag or emblem.

The Genealogical Society of Ireland can advise you on the proper heraldic rules for the design of your own coat-of-arms or flag. The Society will register your coat-of-arms or flag on a ‘Public Regis-ter of Flags & Emblems’ and issue a certificate of registration. So why not avail of this service for yourself, your club or business?

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Ireland has a very rich heraldic heritage stretching back, at least, to the late 12th century with the coming of the Anglo-Normans to Ireland.

Many experts believe that an older form of indigenous or Gaelic heraldry existed here long before the arrival of the mainstream European heraldic tradition and symbolism.

Flags and emblems were used in Ireland from prehistoric times. Some of this ancient Gaelic symbolism can be found on Irish coats-of-arms in use today for Counties, Clubs and Clans.

Clan/Sept associations, businesses, institutions and clubs all over Ireland use coats-of-arms and flags to promote their own particular identities and to celebrate their heritage.

HERALDRY IRELAND and VEXILLOLOGY IRELAND are two new branches of the Genealogical Society of Ireland which aim to promote a greater awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the history, development, symbolism and use of flags and em-blems in Ireland and amongst the Irish diaspora.

Membership of these new branches is open to anybody with an interest in heraldry or flags and emblems, whether in an aca-demic or professional capacity as a heraldic artist, flag-maker or designer or, more generally, as a hobbyist.

The annual membership fee for either branch is only €20.00 and includes a biannual newsletter and the right register coats-of-arms or flags, free of charge, with the Genealogical Society of Ireland. You can join on-line at the appropriate website below.

IRELAND’S HERALDIC AND IRELAND’S HERALDIC AND IRELAND’S HERALDIC AND IRELAND’S HERALDIC AND

VEXILLOLOGICAL HERITAGEVEXILLOLOGICAL HERITAGEVEXILLOLOGICAL HERITAGEVEXILLOLOGICAL HERITAGE

www.heraldryireland.com

www.flagsireland.wordpress.com