The Netflow

Flags… and Ireland

Probably a bit of a strange post here but it has always been one of the things that annoyed me so much over the years. It has become apparent to me that very very few Irish people have any idea how to properly fly their nations flag. Or any nations flag for that matter.

There are the obvious things like leaving the flag up all night, improper care when moving it from place to place and allowing it to become so hilariously dirty that you barely make out the colours. Another really annoying misuse of the flag revolves around flying the flag at half mast. This is especially important and slightly ironic as it is used often as a mark of respect.

Firstly, flying the flag at half mast does not actually mean half way down the flag pole. The only times the flag should be at that height should be when it is being raised or lowered. Apparently very few people know this as nearly every time I see a flag being lowered as a mark of respect it has nearly always been about half way down the pole. In fact I can only remember twice seing the flag being flown correctly in two places - The Army HQ at the Phoenix Park, Dublin and at one of the court buildings in Dublin city centre.  (more…)