Peoples 1 Patrick Peoples L.

Raymond ENGL 1102 28 January 2014 Writing Prompt 3 There are many different stories about where my ancestors hail from, but one prominent link in the Grant (my mothers) side of the family is our Irish descent. The Irish flag is simple, its composition consisting of only three stripes. The first vertical stripe, on the left side of the flag, is a green stripe. The green represents the native Irish people. Skipping the middle white stripe, the orange stripe on the right side of the flag represents the British supporters of King William of Orange of particular significance to those in Northern Ireland during the 17th century. Likewise, as these colors represent two groups of people, they also represent their particular religious beliefs. It has been said that the white stripe in the center signifies the union between the green (catholic) and the orange (protestant). There was one flag prior to 1919-1921, the years of the revolution, but it was a green flag with a central golden harp. As far as becoming an Irish citizen is concerned, it would appear that the countrys processes are relatively rigorous, and unless you have a direct relation (through birth or the like) to someone who was or may be eligible to be an Irish citizen, you must undergo applications to determine your candidacy. It is usually the case that those who are living and working in Ireland for an extended amount of time, around 3-5 years can apply to become legal citizens. Otherwise, if on a whim an individual decided to try, they would be turned down.

Peoples 2 The Irish national anthem is as follows:

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song, With cheering rousing chorus, As round our blazing fires we throng, The starry heavens o'er us; Impatient for the coming fight, And as we wait the morning's light, Here in the silence of the night, We'll chant a soldier's song.

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song, With cheering rousing chorus, As round our blazing fires we throng, The starry heavens o'er us;

Impatient for the coming fight, And as we wait the morning's light, Here in the silence of the night, We'll chant a soldier's song.

Chorus: Soldiers are we whose lives are pledged to Ireland; Some have come from a land beyond the wave. Sworn to be free, No more our ancient sire land Shall shelter the despot or the slave. tonight we man the gap of danger In Erin's cause, come woe or weal Intended as a warriors song, the Irish national anthem is really an inspiration to the volunteers of the Irish revolution in the early 1900s. According to HistoryIreland, the songs lyrics are the source of a lot of tension due to its graphic and militaristic implications, but apparently not so much tension that it would spark a change by government leaders.

All in all, it seems that Ireland has a beautifully rich, all be it rough, history. A history that was fought for and one that Irish citizens are proud of.

Peoples 3 Works Cited "Flag of Ireland." National Flag of Ireland History & Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. "Ireland's Flag - EnchantedLearning.com." Ireland's Flag - EnchantedLearning.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. "Irish Citizenship through Birth or Descent." Irish Citizenship through Birth or Descent. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. "Irish National Anthem." Irish National Anthem. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. "The Story of the National Anthem." History Ireland The Story of the National Anthem Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. "Who Can Become an Irish Citizen?" Who Can Become an Irish Citizen? N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014.