The Irish tricolour is the Irish-language symbol called the trídhathach and is commonly displayed on Saint Patrick's Day.
Ireland's national flag has three vertical bands: green, white, and orange. Green represents the older Gaelic and nationalist tradition, orange represents supporters of William of Orange, and white symbolizes the hoped-for peace between the traditions.
The flag was first presented publicly in 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher, who modeled it partly on European tricolour flags. It became the national flag of the Irish state after independence.
The tricolour is often confused with the entirely green flags used by some Irish organizations and events. It is also distinct from Saint Patrick's Saltire, which displays a red saltire on a white field.