 |
An early and rare County Carlow Legion Banner
embroidered on silk depicting Hibernia leaning on a
Harp, holding a staff and flag in the left hand and
a leafy sprig in the right hand.
The Motto 'be true
to yourself' is inside a border of shamrocks. The
Banner is oval (71 x 66cm). The Carlow Legion was a
volunteer unit formed in September 1779 under
Colonel J. Rochford and Major Henry Bunbury 800
Years of Irish History.
I believe it used to hang
from a bracket on the wall in St. Mary's Church,
Castle Hill, Carlow alongside three other Militia-
type banners.
In
circa 1975 a new minister arrived in Carlow and had St
Mary's church reordered, part of the refurbishment
was the removal of the flags of various militias and
regiments that hung out from the wall, such displays
were a common sight in most churches of the Church
of Ireland, honouring various military regiments
possibly commanded, joined by or died for by family
members of the congregation.
This item, Lot 631, went
on sale on the 18 April 2012 at Adam's. Dublin but
was not sold.
