V I B E Vexillology Ireland – Brateolaíocht Éireann

Biannual Newsletter of

Vexillology Ireland

Vol 1 No. 1 2013

ISSN 2009-6437

Céad Míle Fáilte

A hundred thousand

welcomes

VIBE is the new biannual

newsletter of Vexillology Ireland

: Brateolaíocht Éireann published

by the Genealogical Society of

Ireland.

The acroym ‘Vibe’ is surprisingly

appropriate for a newsletter

dealing with flags as the

etymology of the word and its

evolution through many of the

languages of Europe suggests

‘movement’ and indeed, in

modern American English slang

of the 1960s it means ‘instinctive

feelings’. There is no better way

to describe the often

incomprehensible and mutually

incompatible feelings inclusivity

and exclusivity engendered by

flags down through the ages

amongst peoples around the

world.

Flags and emblems, as we know,

can be a source of conflict and

peace, a source of unity and

division and, yet their powerful

symbolism endures to reinforce

and sustain our connectivity with

our cultural, linguistic, national,

ethnic, religious or political

heritage. Promoting an

understanding of the symbolism,

culture, history and identities

associated with the use flags and

emblems is at the core of

vexillology - the scientific study of

flags and emblems. This

newsletter aims to provide a

vehicle for the promotion of an

awareness, appreciation and

knowledge of Ireland’s ancient

vexillological and heraldic

heritage both in Ireland and

amongst her diaspora overseas.

Welcome to the World of

Vexillology.

In this issue

Introducing Vexillology Ireland…1

Bratacha Festival of Flags and Emblems…2

Genealogical Society of Ireland…2

Exhibition of Flags & Emblems…3

Dún Laoghaire, a venue for a future ICV ?...4

IntroducingVexillology Ireland

Vexillology Ireland or in the Irish language,

Brateolaíocht Éireann, is the ‘brand’ or

‘business name’ chosen by the Genealogical

Society of Ireland to promote the academic

study and popular appreciation of vexillology

in Ireland and amongst the Irish diaspora

abroad. The importance of name recognition

for the subject was paramount in choosing

the ‘brand’ for this aspect of the Society’s

operations.

In keeping with this ‘branding’ initiative, the

Board of Directors of the Genealogical

Society of Ireland at its meeting on July 4th

2013 approved the design for the flag of

‘Vexillology Ireland’ created by the Stanislav

Zamyatin. The flag has the international

symbol for vexillology in white (Argent) at the

hoist with the gold (Or) Harp symbolising

Ireland on a field of St. Patrick’s blue (Azur).

The symbolism combines Ireland’s ancient

vexillological and heraldic traditions. The flag

was crafted by the bespoke flag-makers

O’Regan’s of Dublin. The flag will be flown

during the Society’s attendance at the FIAV

International Congress in Rotterdam.

The Society will be represented at Rotterdam

by the Director of Sales, Marketing &

Membership, Tom Conlon, MSc MGSI, and

Stanislav Zamyatin, MGSI, CEO, Vexillology

Ireland, a branch of the Society dealing

specifically with the promotion of the study of

the history, symbolism and use of flags and

emblems.

The Society has applied for membership of

FIAV the International Federation of

Vexillological Associations and the

application will go before the General

Assembly of FIAV at Rotterdam for its

consideration. Indeed, the Society would be

very interested in bringing the FIAV

International Congress to Dublin some time in

the future.

In the meantime, Stan Zamyatin has created a

specific web presence for Vexillology Ireland -

www.bratacha.ie It is envisaged that the

website will host Ireland’s first public Register

of Flags & Emblems enabling clubs, schools,

colleges, businesses, clan associations and

others to have their flags and emblems

registered.

The register will also have information on the

design, meaning and history of each flag and

emblem. Some may be a bit surprised that a

genealogical organisation is involved with

vexillology, however, as vexillology (defined as

the scientific study of the history, symbolism

and usage of flags) is closely related to

heraldry and it to genealogy—it’s a very

natural fit indeed. But as genealogists and

social historians we are primarily concerned

with the narratives attached to the history and

use of flags and emblems and, especially, the

lives and times of the people concerned. Stan

Zamyatin, CEO of VIBE—Vexillology Ireland :

Brateolaíocht Éireann can be contacted

through bratachaeire @gmail.com and more

information can be found on www.bratacha.ie

Genealogical

Society of

Ireland

The Society was established in

1990 to promote the study of

genealogy, heraldry, vexillology

and related subjects as

educational leisure pursuits

available to all in the community

irrespective of age, prior-

learning, background or socio-

economic circumstances. The

Society promotes these

important heritage subjects in

Ireland by organising Open

Meetings, lectures, workshops,

publishing genealogical

material and exhibiting at major

relevant events in the country.

Although, Vexillology Ireland is a

newly established branch of the

Genealogical Society of Ireland,

the Society has an unsurpassed

record in Ireland for the

promotion of an awareness,

appreciation and knowledge of

vexillology and heraldry.

In its promotion of vexillology

and heraldry the Society drafted

the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill,

2006 and advised on the

drafting of the National Cultural

Institutions (Amendment) Bill,

2008. Both of these legislative

measures sought to strengthen

the State’s involvement in the

provision of heraldic and

vexillological services. The

Society continues to advocate

the inclusion of vexillology in

primary legislation in Ireland.

BRATACHA 2013 FESTIVAL OF FLAGS AND EMBLEMS

. Heading. Heading. Heading.

Opening the Festival

The Genealogical Society of Ireland was one of four organisations that jointly hosted the Bratacha 2013 Festival of Flags & Emblems which was launched by the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Éamon Gilmore, TD, on Europe Day, May 9

th 2013.

The festival was organised as a part of the nationwide festival ‘The Gathering Ireland’ which aimed to encourage the Irish diaspora to come back to the ‘old country’ during 2013. The festival hosted a number of lectures and seminars and, of course, the very successful ‘Exhibition of Flags & Emblems’. The highlight of the festival was the ‘Parade of Flags’ on Saturday May 11

th 2013 through

the town of Dún Laoghaire. The official website of the festival is www.bratacha.com

Dún Laoghaire, Dublin

May 9-11 2013

“MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA” FLAG

The official flag of the Bratacha festival was the “Mountains to the Sea” flag. It was designed by Australian and long-time

Dún Laoghaire resident, Andrew Gerard Ball, with graphics by Frank Lee Cooper. The design concept is based on the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council ‘logo’, Coat-of-Arms and on a loose translation of the County motto ‘Ó Chuan go Sliabh’ (‘from harbour to mountain’). The flag has a simple and elegant design and incorporates the shamrock or trefoil from the County Arms which blends the heraldic and vexillological. The green stroke represents the mountains while the blue represents the sea. Although this flag was designed specially for Bratacha 2013, it has grown in popularity as the, as yet, ‘unofficial flag’ of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County.

Picture (Left) shows

Eamon Gilmore, TD,

Tánaiste (Deputy Prime

Minister) opening of the

“Europe in Bloom” exhibit at

Bratacha 2013.

“Europe in Bloom” is a floral

display representing the

flags of the EU and

its member states.

Mr. Graham Bartram, FFI,

MGSI, the Chief

Vexillologist at The Flag

Institute in the UK was a

guest of honour at the

opening ceremony. (see

picture p 4.)

Arms of the Genealogical Society of

Ireland

Exhibition of Flags and Emblems

Bratacha 2013 was

supported by

Genealogical Society of

Ireland

and many other local and

national community and

cultural groups

The Bratacha 2013 Exhibition of

Flags & Emblems was officially

launched by Mr. Graham Bartram

FFI, MGSI, of The Flag Institute in

London on Thursday May 9th

2013. The exhibition was held at

the National Maritime Museum in

Dún Laoghaire and was

assembled by Hon. Curator and

Vexillologist, Mr. Stanislav

Zamyatin, with an incredibly

enthusiastic and gifted team. The

exhibition included many maritime

and shipping flags, along with

Irish, Celtic and EU flags. But the

main focus of the exhibition was

the ‘Conflict Area’ – an area that

displayed flags from areas with

present and past conflict. This

unique educational and cultural

exhibition attracted some

controversy over the display of

certain flags and indeed,

regarding aspects the

symbolism used in the very

imaginative and informative

displays. Despite this, the

exhibition was a complete

success and got much positive

feed back at home and

overseas. One of the main

highlights of the exhibition was

a visit by tourists from the

world’s biggest cruise liner –

Queen Mary II. Indeed, the

Exhibition of Flags & Emblems

was held over for nearly three

months due to its popularity as

a visitor attraction in Dún

Laoghaire.

Stan was born in Izhevsk in Russia. When he was nine years old he

moved to Ireland and has lived here ever since. He had the privilege

of being raised by his Russian mother and American stepfather, who

brought him up in a diverse cultural environment. Travelling the world

and visiting over 40 countries in four continents has only increased his

cultural awareness. His interest in art and design led him to become a

vexillophile (a person interested in flags). He began collecting flags

and, while studying architecture at the Dublin Institute of Technology

(DIT) at Bolton Street, Dublin, he developed an understanding of their

geometric principles. He learned that architecture and vexillology are

very similar in that they both combine mathematics, aesthetics and

vernacular traditions in their attempts at representing ideas. He

decided to take this interest further and began to study flags in his

free time. Since then he has lectured at the Bratacha 2013 festival –

Ireland’s first-ever festival of flags and emblems – and played the role

of Honorary Curator of the flag exhibition at the National Maritime

Museum in Dún Laoghaire. He was appointed by the GSI Board to the

newly created position of the Chief Executive Officer of Vexillology

Ireland - a branch of the

Genealogical Society of Ireland

dealing specifically with the

promotion of the study of the

history, symbolism, and use of

flags and emblems.

Stanislav Zamyatin, MGSI, CEO Vexillology Ireland

Design and Layout:

Tom Conlon, MSc MGSI

Contributors:

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI

Stanislav Zamyatin, MGSI

Photographs:

Robert MacDonald, MA

Tom Conlon, MSc, MGSI

VIBE Biannual Newsletter of

Vexillology Ireland

Published by the Genealogical

Society of Ireland, 11,

Desmond Avenue, Dún

Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Graham Bartram helps Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Éamon

Gilmore, TD to unfurl the festival flag.

Dún Laoghaire, Dublin – a venue for a future ICV ? Dún Laoghaire is a major coastal town situated approximately 12km

from the centre of Dublin City on Ireland’s east coast. Dún

Laoghaire means 'fort of Laoghaire' a 5th century High King. The

modern town was developed in the first half of the 19th century

when its harbour, enclosing over 100 hectares was constructed.

The town was known as ‘Kingstown’ from 1821 to 1921 and many of

the fine buildings in and around the town centre date from this

period, including the world renowned Royal Marine Hotel, civic

buildings, train station, churches and, of course, the elegant club

houses of three of Ireland’s oldest and most famous Yacht Clubs.

This year Dún Laoghaire was host to Bratacha 2013, an

international symposium on the history, heritage, culture and

identities associated with flags and emblems – in essence, a

‘Festival of Flags & Emblems’. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County

Council, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, National Maritime

Institute of Ireland and the Genealogical Society of Ireland were the

‘lead organisations’ engaged in the hosting of this important and

unique event. This type of event was a first for Ireland and ideally

suited to showcase and to explore, in particular, the maritime heritage

of Dún Laoghaire.

Within a radius of 200m, Dún Laoghaire can provide all of the facilities

for a modern congress. There is a selection of meeting venues, a

theatre, and ample hotel accommodation. There are direct

connections to the city and the airport. Visitors to Dún Laoghaire can

take in all the sights in Dublin City from the ancient to the very

modern; from the traditional to the contemporary; from high culture to

the simple high stool and a relaxing pint at some of Ireland’s finest

pubs. Whether you stay in Dún Laoghaire or ‘DART along Dublin’s

Riviera’ to Dublin City or south to Ireland’s ‘Garden County’ of

Wicklow, the views are spectacular, the welcome genuinely warm and

the facilities are second to none.

Welcome to Dún Laoghaire!

A corner of the Bratacha Exhibition of Flags and Emblems in

the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.

Picture Gallery Bratacha 2013 - Ireland’s Festival of Flags and Emblems, Dún Laoghaire

The parade of flags through the streets of Dún Laoghaire Vexilloligical cup cakes