The National Flag of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach Naisiunta), also known as the Irish tricolour, is the national flag of the Republic of Ireland. The flag was first adopted as the national flag of the Irish Free State in 1922. When the Free State was succeeded by the state now known as the Republic of Ireland, under the 1937 Constitution of Ireland, the tricolour was given constitutional status.
The tricolour is regarded by many nationalists as the national flag of the whole of Ireland. Thus it is flown (often controversially) by many nationalists in Northern Ireland as well as by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Historically Ireland has been represented by a number of other flags, including Saint Patrick's cross, and the "four provinces" flag.
The flag's colors are turned the other way round in the shorter flag of Cote d'Ivoire.
