by Swifty on Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:39 pm
Best thing you can do is read Hayes-McCoy's' 'Irish Flags'.
In brief:
St Patrick's Cross (red saltire on white field) was used by Hugh O'Neill and his confederates at the battle of Kinsale in 1601/02 (depending on which reckoning you use) as a proto-national symbol which had with precedence with the Geraldines. See the Battle of Kinsale oil on canvas (poorly displayed) at Trinity College, Dublin.
The harp is first seen as an Irish symbol in a contemporary depiction of Owen Roe O'Neill's ship returning to Ireland during the Confederate Wars of the 1640's. It is later used by the United Irishmen. Originally on a blue field (see paint on James's Gate for exact shade) and, later on, the more famous green field.
There's plenty more that could be said on this subject but if you're serious about researching it get yourself in front of that book.
D Swift www.claiomh.ie c.795-1660