Podcasts & Videos
Documentary on One - the Irish rugby squad who crossed the line
In May 1981 the Irish rugby team were forced to sneak out of the country, but within a few months they were national heroes. Crossing the Line is the story of Ireland’s tour of South Africa at the height of apartheid that split the team and split the nation.
RTE Archives - 1996 Ireland Presidents visit to South Africa
President Mary Robinson on a state visit to South Africa is welcomed by President Nelson Mandela.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 March 1996. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
Origin of the flags
Ireland Flag History
The flag of Ireland (Bhratach Náisiúnta) was adopted in 1922 and confirmed more formally in 1937. It consists in three vertical stripes: green – white – orange. During an uprising at Easter 1916, the republican movement Young Ireland uses it to mark its position in Dublin and elsewhere. They want a Republic of Ireland for the people. April 24, 1916, while Republicans demonstrate, a coup is launched: Republicans occupy the station, courthouse and central post office in Dublin. While men steal weapons from the British Army, women take care of food. Nearly 5,000 people were killed, injured or arrested. The uprising ended six days later. The flag will finally be chosen by the government to complete the national flag. It has a strong religious symbolism, because green represents the Catholic community, orange for the Protestants (through William 3rd’s victory over the Catholic Jacques II in 1690), and white the peace between both communities.
South Africa Flag History
The flag of South Africa was adopted on 27 April 1994. It marks the end of a very hard era for the country, and comes at the same time as the first non-racial elections held in the country after more than 340 years of white domination. It is composed of two bands, red and blue, and a black triangle bordered by gold at the hoist, all separated by a green band. While the black, green and yellow are a clear reference to the African National Congress (ANC, which was created and forbidden because he defended the country’s black majority), red and blue are a symbol of the peoples� union in South Africa, as it represents the white people, long time oppressor. Symbol drawn by the green band evokes, according to the designers of the flag: “The convergence of the various elements of the South African society which moves forward together and in unison”. Other interpretations relate to country’s natural wealth, and the blood shed by the apartheid fighters for red.
History & Archives
South Africa and the wearing of the green
Irish-South African links stretch from bishops, governors and rebels to the anti-apartheid campaign
Irish Settlement and Identity in South Africa before 1910
Irish Historical Studies, the joint journal of the Irish Historical Society and the Ulster Society for Irish Historical Studies, is published twice yearly (May and November).
