Editing Shamrock (section)

== Symbol of Ireland ==
[[File:First Magherafelt Volunteers.png|thumb|Drawing of the medal awarded to the First Magherafelt Volunteers for skill with broadsword, showing shamrocks]]

As St. Patrick is Ireland's patron saint, the shamrock has been used as a symbol of Ireland since the 18th century. The shamrock first began to evolve from a symbol purely associated with St. Patrick to an Irish national symbol when it was taken up as an [[emblem]] by rival militias during the turbulent politics of the late eighteenth century. On one side were the Volunteers (also known as the [[Irish Volunteers (18th century)|Irish Volunteers]]), who were local militias in late 18th century [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]], raised to defend Ireland from the threat of French and Spanish invasion when regular British soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to fight during the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name="Blackstock1">{{cite book|last=Blackstock|first=Allan |title=Double traitors?: the Belfast Volunteers and Yeomen, 1778–1828 |publisher=Ulster Historical Foundation|year=2001|page=2|isbn=978-0-9539604-1-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkayx77nQLQC&q=%22volunteer+corps+sprang+up+spontaneously%22&pg=PA2|access-date=3 October 2009}}</ref> On the other side were revolutionary nationalist groups, such as the [[United Irishmen]].

Among the Volunteers, examples of the use of the shamrock include its appearance on the guidon of the Royal Glin Hussars formed in July 1779 by the [[Knight of Glin]], and its appearance on the flags of the Limerick Volunteers, the Castle Ray Fencibles and the Braid Volunteers.<ref>{{harvp|Nelson|1991|p=55}}</ref><ref name="limerickcity">{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/media,4129,en.pdf|date=10 May 2007|title=Limerick Volunteers 1776–1793|author=Kieran Kennedy|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164405/http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/media,4129,en.pdf}}</ref> The United Irishmen adopted green as their revolutionary colour and wore green uniforms or ribbons in their hats, and the green concerned was often associated with the shamrock. The song ''[[The Wearing of the Green]]'' commemorated their exploits and various versions exist which mention the shamrock. The {{lang|ga|[[Erin go bragh]]}} flag was used as their standard and was often depicted accompanied by shamrocks, and in 1799 a revolutionary journal entitled ''The Shamroc'' briefly appeared in which the aims of the rebellion were supported.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Shamroc, [sic] |website=WorldCat |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/508356724 |access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110150115/https://search.worldcat.org/title/508356724 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:2 shillings 1949.JPG|thumb|left|upright|[[Two shillings (British coin)|British two-shilling]] coin (1949)]]
Since the [[Acts of Union 1800|1800 Acts of Union]] between Britain and Ireland the shamrock was incorporated into the [[Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom]], depicted growing from a single stem alongside the rose of England, and the [[Scottish thistle|thistle]] of Scotland to symbolise the unity of the three kingdoms. Since then, the shamrock has regularly appeared alongside the rose, thistle and (sometimes) [[leek]] for Wales in [[Coins of the pound sterling|British coins]] such as the two shilling and crown, and in [[stamps and postal history of the United Kingdom|stamps]]. The rose, thistle and shamrock motif also appears regularly on British public buildings such as [[Buckingham Palace]].

Throughout the nineteenth century the popularity of the shamrock as a symbol of Ireland grew, and it was depicted in many illustrations on items such as book covers and St. Patrick's Day postcards. It was also mentioned in many songs and ballads of the time. For example, a popular ballad called ''The Shamrock Shore'' lamented the state of Ireland in the nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irish Song Lyrics for: Shamrock Shore |url=https://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-songs-ballads-lyrics/shamrock_shore.htm |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Traditional Music Library |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029121858/https://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-songs-ballads-lyrics/shamrock_shore.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Another typical example of such a ballad appears in the works of [[Thomas Moore]] whose ''Oh the Shamrock'' embodies the Victorian spirit of sentimentality. It was immensely popular and contributed to raising the profile of the shamrock as an image of Ireland:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzA8AQAAIAAJ|title=Melodies, national airs, miscellaneous poems and the Odes of Anacreon|first=Thomas|last=Moore|date=4 September 2017|publisher=Phillips, Sampson and Company}}</ref>

<blockquote><poem>
Oh The Shamrock
-
Through Erin's Isle,
To sport awhile,
As Love and Valor wander'd
With Wit, the sprite,
Whose quiver bright
A thousand arrows squander'd.
Where'er they pass,
A triple grass
Shoots up, with dew-drops streaming,
As softly green
As emeralds seen
Through purest crystal gleaming.
Oh the Shamrock, the green immortal Shamrock!
Chosen leaf
Of Bard and Chief,
Old Erin's native Shamrock!
</poem>
</blockquote>

[[File:Buckingham Palace December 2012 10.jpg|thumb|upright|Rose, thistle and shamrock motif on gate pillar at [[Buckingham Palace]]]]
[[File:Irish Harp (Boston Public Library).jpg|thumb|upright|Irish American Music sheet]]
[[File:PostcardStPatricksDaySouvinir1912.jpg|thumb|St Patrick's Day postcard (1912)]]

Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the shamrock continued to appear in a variety of settings.<ref>{{harvp|Nelson|1991|pp=90–120}}</ref> For example, the shamrock appeared on many buildings in Ireland as a decorative motif, such as on the facade of the [[Kildare Street Club]] building in Dublin, [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Roman Catholic)|St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh]], and the Harp and Lion Bar in [[Listowel]], County Kerry. It also appears on street furniture, such as old lamp standards like those in [[Mountjoy Square]] in Dublin, and on monuments like the [[Charles Stewart Parnell|Parnell]] Monument, and the [[O'Connell Monument, Dublin|O'Connell Monument]], both in [[O'Connell Street]], Dublin. Shamrocks also appeared on decorative items such as glass, china, jewellery, [[poplin]] and [[Irish lace]]. [[Belleek Pottery]] in County Fermanagh, for example, regularly features shamrock motifs.

<gallery>
File:Mountjoy square lamppost1.jpg|Lamppost in [[Mountjoy Square]], Dublin, early 20th century
File:Listowel-ErinGoBrath.JPG|Design on Harp and Lion Bar, [[Listowel]], County Kerry
File:Herself - Himself - geograph.org.uk - 885732.jpg|Work by [[Belleek Pottery]], which often features shamrock motifs
File:2d Map of Ireland- first Irish postage stamp.jpg|2d ''Map of [[Geography of Ireland|Ireland]]'': the first Irish postage stamp featured the shamrock.
File:Aer Lingus Airbus A321-253NX EI-LRC arriving at JFK Airport.jpg|Shamrock on the tail fin of an [[Airbus A321neo]] of [[Aer Lingus]]
</gallery>

The shamrock is used in the emblems of many state organisations, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Some of these are all-Ireland bodies, (such as [[Tourism Ireland]])<ref name="tourismirelandbrand">{{cite web |url=http://www.tourismirelandbrand.com/corporate-logo |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412023815/http://www.tourismirelandbrand.com/corporate-logo |archive-date=12 April 2013 |title=Corporate Logo |publisher=tourismirelandbrand.com |access-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref> as well as organisations specific to the Republic of Ireland (such as [[IDA Ireland]])<ref name="idaireland">{{cite web|url=http://www.idaireland.com/|title=Invest in Ireland, IDA Ireland, Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland, Business in Ireland|publisher=idaireland.com|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=3 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703041401/http://www.idaireland.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Northern Ireland (such as [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]). The Irish Postal Service {{lang|ga|[[An Post]]|italic=no}}, regularly features the shamrock on its [[postage stamps of Ireland|series of stamps]]. The airline {{lang|ga|[[Aer Lingus]]|italic=no}} uses the emblem in its logos, and its [[air traffic control]] [[airline codes|call sign]] is "SHAMROCK".
[[File:Aer Lingus Airbus A330-302 EI-EDY approaching EWR Airport.jpg|thumb|An {{lang|ga|[[Aer Lingus]]|italic=no}} [[Airbus A330]] with a shamrock on its tail fin]]
The shamrock has been registered as a trademark by the [[Government of Ireland]].<ref>Use of the [[harp]] and the shamrock were registered by the Irish government as international trademarks. See{{cite web|url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/BUJ/2003/03/26/00003.asp |title=Record of the meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, 26 March 2003 |access-date=2015-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022858/http://debates.oireachtas.ie/BUJ/2003/03/26/00003.asp |archive-date=17 November 2015 }} . Retrieved 20 July 2008.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Article 6ter State emblem protection |url=https://6ter.wipo.int/result-detail?offset=0&limit=1&keywords=%7B%22offset%22:0,%22limit%22:25,%22searchText%22:%22ie11%22,%22sortBy%22:%22KEY%22,%22searchFields%22:%5B%5D%7D&queryType=STRUCT&sortBy=KEY |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=World Intellectual Property Organization |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029113902/https://6ter.wipo.int/result-detail?offset=0&limit=1&keywords=%7B%22offset%22:0,%22limit%22:25,%22searchText%22:%22ie11%22,%22sortBy%22:%22KEY%22,%22searchFields%22:%5B%5D%7D&queryType=STRUCT&sortBy=KEY |url-status=live }}</ref> In the early 1980s, Ireland defended its right to use the shamrock as its national symbol in a German trademark case, which included high-level representation from [[Taoiseach]] [[Charles Haughey]]. Having originally lost, Ireland won on appeal to the German Supreme Court in 1985.<ref name="court">{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/how-ireland-lost-the-battle-for-the-shamrock-in-germany-1.17004 |title=How Ireland lost the battle for the shamrock in Germany |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=13 November 2015 |first=Fiona |last=Gartland |date=31 December 2011 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032644/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/how-ireland-lost-the-battle-for-the-shamrock-in-germany-1.17004 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 1969, a bowl of shamrocks in a special [[Waterford Crystal]] bowl featuring a shamrock design is flown from Ireland to Washington, D.C., and presented to the President of the United States every St. Patrick's Day.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Patrick's Day and the President's Bowl of Shamrocks Tradition |url=https://dcist.com/story/16/03/16/st-patricks-day-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313032806/https://dcist.com/story/16/03/16/st-patricks-day-history/ |url-status=live |archive-date=13 March 2021 |website=DCist |publisher=WAMU 88.5 American University Radio |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>

Shamrock is also used in emblems of UK organisations with an association with Ireland, such as the [[Irish Guards]]. Soldiers of the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]] of the [[British Army]] use the shamrock as their emblem, and wear a sprig of shamrock on [[Saint Patrick's Day]]. Shamrock are exported to wherever the regiment is stationed throughout the world. [[Queen Victoria]] decreed over a hundred years ago that soldiers from Ireland should wear a sprig of shamrock in recognition of fellow Irish soldiers who had fought bravely in the [[Boer War]], a tradition continued by British army soldiers from both the north and the south of Ireland following [[Partition of Ireland|partition]] in 1921. The coat of arms on the flag of the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] George Cross Foundation was cradled in a wreath of shamrock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/002.htm|title=About Us – College of Arms|website=college-of-arms.gov.uk|access-date=20 July 2008|archive-date=27 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027194803/http://college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/002.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The shamrock also appears in the emblems of a wide range of voluntary and non-state organisations in Ireland, such as the [[Irish Farmers Association]],<ref name="ifa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifa.ie/|title=Irish Farmers' Association|publisher=ifa.ie|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=9 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709093712/http://www.ifa.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref> the Boy Scouts of Ireland association, [[Scouting Ireland]]<ref name="scouts">{{cite web|url=http://www.scouts.ie/more/about_scouting_ireland/history_of_scouting_ireland-177.html|title=History of Scouting in Ireland Join the Adventure! &#124; Scouting Ireland &#124; www.scouts.ie|publisher=scouts.ie|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719205336/http://www.scouts.ie/more/about_scouting_ireland/history_of_scouting_ireland-177.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Irish Girl Guides,<ref name="girlguidesireland">{{cite web|url=http://www.girlguidesireland.ie/go/about_us/association_logo_badge|title=Association Logo and Badge – Catholic Guides of Ireland|publisher=girlguidesireland.ie|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701033751/http://www.girlguidesireland.ie/go/about_us/association_logo_badge}}</ref> and the Irish Kidney Donors Association.<ref name="ika">{{cite web|url=http://www.ika.ie/|title=IKA|publisher=ika.ie|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=22 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622123634/http://www.ika.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition many sporting organisations representing Ireland use the shamrock in their logos and emblems. Examples include the [[Irish Football Association]] (Northern Ireland), [[Irish Rugby Football Union]], [[Swim Ireland]], [[Cricket Ireland]], and the [[Olympic Council of Ireland]]. A sprig of shamrock represents the [[Lough Derg Yacht Club]] Tipperary, (est. 1835). The shamrock is the official emblem of Irish football club [[Shamrock Rovers]].

<gallery>
IRFU flag.svg|Flag of the Irish Rugby Football Union
Flag of Cricket Ireland.svg|Flag of Cricket Ireland
Ensign of Lough Derg Yacht Club.svg|Ensign of the Lough Derg Yacht Club
Ensign of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.svg|Ensign of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
Ensign of Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland.svg|Ensign of the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland
House flag of Irish Continental Line (1978–1988).svg|House flag of Irish Continental Line (1978–1988)
House flag of the Lord Line (Irish Shipowners Company).svg|House flag of the Lord Line (Irish Shipowners Company)
</gallery>