VIBE - Vexillology Ireland : Brateolaíocht Éireann

VIBE

Biannual Newsletter of Vexillology Ireland

ISSN 2009-6437

Vol 1 No. 1 2013

Vexillology Ireland – Brateolaíocht Éireann

In this issue Céad Míle Fáilte

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

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 Vexillology.

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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, priorlearning, background or socioeconomic 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.

Arms of the Genealogical Society of Ireland

BRATACHA 2013 FESTIVAL OF FLAGS AND EMBLEMS Laoghaire, Dublin .Dún Heading.

Heading.

May 9-11 2013 Heading.

Opening the Festival

“MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA” FLAG

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, th on Europe Day, May 9 2013.

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-ofArms 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.

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 th Saturday May 11 2013 through the town of Dún Laoghaire. The official website of the festival is www.bratacha.com

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.)

Bratacha 2013 was supported by

Exhibition of Flags and Emblems The Bratacha 2013 Exhibition of Flags & Emblems was officially launched by Mr. Graham Bartram FFI, MGSI, of The Flag Institute in th London on Thursday May 9 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.

Genealogical Society of Ireland

Stanislav Zamyatin, MGSI, CEO Vexillology Ireland 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.

and many other local and national community and cultural groups 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

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!

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

Graham Bartram helps Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Éamon Gilmore, TD to unfurl the festival flag.

The parade of flags through the streets of Dún Laoghaire

A corner of the Bratacha Exhibition of Flags and Emblems in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.

Vexilloligical cup cakes