Flag flying rules in Ireland

Flying the tricolour in Ireland rests on one sentence of the Constitution and a set of guidelines without force of law. Article 7 of Bunreacht na hÉireann states that the national flag is the tricolour of green, white and orange. How it is flown is described in “The National Flag”, the guidelines of the Department of the Taoiseach, which were updated in September 2025.

The guidelines say it plainly: there are no statutory requirements, so observing the guidelines is a matter for each person, and it is expected that the National Flag will be treated at all times with appropriate respect by those who use it. The Department’s role is advisory.

Who may fly the flag

Anyone. The guidelines describe how the flag is flown at military posts and State buildings and note that many private individuals and businesses also fly it on the flag days. Homes, schools, sports clubs, churches and companies are free to fly the National Flag every day of the year; the question of whether a flagpole can be put up is a matter for planning law, covered in the guide to installing a flagpole.

The National Flag is not a State emblem. According to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the official State emblems are the harp and the shamrock, while the National Flag is protected under the Constitution. Using the harp in business needs ministerial consent, as described in the guide to flags of Ireland.

The design

Shades of yellow or gold instead of orange, sometimes seen at civilian functions, are described in the guidelines as a misrepresentation of the National Flag that is to be actively discouraged. A gold fringe or tassels are a long-standing international tradition; the fringe is not part of the flag and can be used indoors and on ceremonial occasions outdoors. More about the colours in the guide to the Irish flag and its meaning.

Sunrise to sunset

According to the guidelines, the National Flag is normally displayed in the open only from sunrise to sunset, except at public meetings, processions or funerals, when it may be displayed for the duration of the function. It may also be flown by night as long as it is properly illuminated at all times, preferably by spotlight. The guidelines give fixed times for sunrise and sunset:

Lighting is described in the guide to flag lighting.

Hoisting and lowering

The guidelines state that the National Flag is not allowed to touch the ground when it is raised or lowered. On ceremonial occasions when the flag is hoisted or lowered, or passes in a parade, those present face it and stand to attention; people in uniform give the hand salute and people in civilian dress salute by standing to attention. When the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, is played in the presence of the flag, all present face the flag and remain at the salute until the last note.

Respect for the flag

The guidelines list several things that are not done with the National Flag:

• it does not touch the ground, trail in water or become entangled in trees or other obstacles
• it is never defaced by slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind, for example at sporting events
• it is not draped on cars, trains, boats or other modes of transport
• it is not carried flat, but always aloft and free, except when it drapes a coffin
• on a platform, it is not used to cover the speaker’s desk or draped over the platform

The flag may be used as decoration with due respect: as a discreet lapel button or rosette, or in a small version as part of a table centrepiece. Where more than one National Flag is flown on festive occasions, they are of uniform size, and bunting in the national colours may also be used. The same principles of respect apply when the flag is reproduced in print or electronic form.

Worn flags

Wind and weather wear flags out, especially on exposed sites. According to the guidelines, a worn or frayed National Flag is no longer fit for display and is not used in any manner implying disrespect; it is destroyed or disposed of in a dignified way. How long a flag lasts is covered in the guide to flagpole and flag lifespan.

Other flags

When the National Flag flies with other flags, it is in the place of honour, and no flag or pennant flies above it. Only one National Flag is displayed in each group of flags or at each location. The order of flags is explained in the guide to flag protocol.