Our Own Devices: National Symbols and Political Conflict in Twentieth-century Ireland (New Directions in Irish History)

National symbols have long been highly contentious in Ireland, and they remain so today. While there have been a number of studies which have examined the role of symbols in the contemporary conflict in Northern Ireland, as yet there has been no detailed study of debates about national symbols in twentieth-century Ireland. This book fills that gap, outlining the historical background to the continuing controversy about national symbols in Ireland and shedding new light on the deep political divisions which have marked Irish society throughout this century. Our Own Devices focuses on the crucial period from 1922 to 1939 which saw the creation and consolidation of new governments in the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. It also examines in detail the selection of official symbols of state by governments in both parts of Ireland, and public responses to those symbols. Having discussed the conflicts over symbols which took place in the early decades of the two states, the book concludes by bringing the story up-to-date and relating earlier controversies about national symbols to current debates about the role of symbols in conflict and peacemaking in Northern Ireland. This study is a pioneering work in this relatively new area of Irish history, and is based on extensive original research, using many sources which have not previously been cited in published works. National Symbols Have Long Been Highly Contentious In Ireland, And They Remain So Today. While There Have Been A Number Of Studies Which Have Examined The Role Of Symbols In The Contemporary Conflict In Northern Ireland, As Yet There Has Been No Detailed Study Of Debates About National Symbols In Twentieth-century Ireland. This Book Fills That Gap, Outlining The Historical Background To The Continuing Controversy About National Symbols In Ireland And Shedding New Light On The Deep Political Divisions Which Have Marked Irish Society Throughout This Century. It Focuses On The Crucial Period From 1922 To 1939 Which Saw The Creation And Consolidation Of New Governments In The Irish Free State And Northern Ireland.--jacket. Introduction. Symbols And Nations ; Symbols And Solidarity ; Symbols Of State ; Debates About National Symbols -- 'the Wolf-dog Lying Down And The Harp Without The Crown': Irish National Symbols To 1922. Emblem Of Ireland: Origins And Popularisation ; National Symbols, Popular Politics And Gaelic Revivalism ; Personifications Of Ireland ; Flags And Anthems Before 1916 ; 1916 And After -- From Symbols Of Party To Symbols Of State: The Flag And Anthem Of The Irish Free State. Adoption Of The Free State Flag And Anthem ; Cumann Na Ngaedheal And The Selection Of The Flag And Anthem ; National Or Party Symbols? ; Proposals To Replace The Flag And Anthem ; Religion And The Flag And Anthem ; The Flag And Anthem In Public Life -- 'silent Ambassadors Of National Taste': Seals, Stamps, Banknotes And Coins Of The Irish Free State. Rejection Of Established National Emblems In The Irish Free State ; State Seals ; Stamps ; Legal Tender Notes ; Selection Of The Coinage Designs ; The Coinage Debate ; A Pagan Coinage? ; Other Issues In The Coinage Debate ; Silence And Key Concerns In The Coinage Debate -- True To The Red, White And Blue: Official Symbols Of Northern Ireland. Ulster Unionists And Their Symbols ; Choosing Symbols Of Northern Ireland ; The Importance Of The Union Jack To Ulster Unionists ; The Newry Town Hall Flag Incident -- Disloyal Displays?: Minority National Symbols In Northern Ireland And The Irish Free State. The Irish Tricolour And 'the Soldier's Song' In Northern Ireland ; Use Of Anthems And Flags By Nationalists In Northern Ireland ; Restrictions On Displays Of The Tricolour Before 1933 ; Background To The 1933 'ban' On The Tricolour ; The 1933 Regulation Regarding The Tricolour ; Government Policy Towards 'the Soldier's Song' ; The Union Jack And 'god Save The King' In The Irish Free State ; Nationalists And Imperial Symbols ; Ex-unionist Use Of Imperial Symbols ;the Question Of Ex-unionist Loyalty. Responses Of The Political Parties To The Use Of Imperial Symbols -- Pillarboxes And Partition: Symbols, Sovereignty And Irish Unity. Official Symbols In The Other Dominions ; Symbols And Dominion Status In The Irish Free State ; Unionists In Nothern Ireland And The Official Symbols Of The Irish Free State ; Nationalists In The Irish Free State And Unionist Concerns ; Flags And All-ireland Sporting Bodies -- Symbols, Conflict And Conciliation: 1940-2000. Symbols In Éire/the Republic Of Ireland ; Symbols In Northern Ireland ; Symbols And The Search For Peace In Northern Ireland Since 1985 ; The Good Friday Agreement And Beyond. Ewan Morris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [281]-299) And Index.