When the first Government of Northern Ireland was constituted in 1921 it did not have a Coat of Arms. This was granted only on Second August 1924, by Royal Warrant.
View on RequestA copy of the Royal Warrant of 2nd August 1924, granting Arms to the Government of Northern Ireland, together with a copy of the Royal Warrant, of 17th August 1925, granting Supporters to the Arms of the Government of Northern Ireland
When the first Government of Northern Ireland was constituted in 1921 it did not have a Coat of Arms. This was granted only on Second August 1924, by Royal Warrant.
The design of the Coat of Arms was based on the existing Coat of Arms for Ulster.
The Coat of Arms were designed by Neville Wilkinson and his deputy Thomas Sadler.
The final design was presented to the Northern Ireland cabinet in April 1924. In August that year the artwork was approved, and the required Royal Warrant Signed by King George V.
The copy of the 1924 warrant pictured carries the following description:
“Argent, across gules over all on a six pointed star of the field and ensigned by an imperial crown proper, a dexter hand couped at the wrist of the second...
Given at our Court of Saint James in the fifteenth year of Our Reign This 2nd day of August in the year of Our Lord 1924 By His Majesty‘s Command”
The copy of the 1925 Warrant carries the following description the Lion and Elk Supporters:
“ Dexter Lion gules, armed; langued and collared or, supporting a Flagstaff proper therefrom flowing to the Sinister a Banner azure charged with a harp or stringed argent surmounted by an Imperial Crown proper; Sinister, an Irish Elk proper collared or and supporting a like staff therefrom flowing to the Dexter a banner or charged with a cross gules...
Give at our Court at Saint James the 17th day of August in this the 16th year of our reign and in the year of our lord 1925
By His Majesty‘s Command”
The meaning behind the final coat of arms comprehensively reflected the confluence of identities that were to be found in Northern Ireland.
The red lion rampant represented the long established Ulster Scots heritage of Ulster drawing as it did from the Royal standard of Scotland. The red lion is holding a flag with an Irish Harp on a field of blue
The Irish Elk is a representation of those of Irish cultural heritage of the province of Ulster. The Elk holds aloft the flag bearing the arms of the House of de Burgh. Walter de Burgh became Earl of Ulster in 1264.
Owned by The Linen Hall Library. Images used by Permission of The Linen Hall Library.