The Ulster Museum - Object Of The Month

Regalia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick

March

Regalia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick

This order of knighthood was established in 1783 as a means by which the Dublin Castle administration could reward and assure the continued support of important members of the Irish nobility, to whose ranks membership was confined through almost all its history. The date of foundation is significant: the Order can be seen as another indication of the growing administrative indpendence and national spirit manifested the same year by the Volunteers and the incorporation of the Bank of Ireland.

There was always considerable emphasis on the Irish nature of the Order, which was equivalent to the English Most Noble Order of the Garter and the Scottish Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, and third in precedence after them. Knights' robes at first were made from Irish poplin and, initially at least, Irish jewellers were commissioned to make insignia.

The political complexion of the institution is emphasised by the symbolism of a collar consisting of harps and roses joined by knots of friendship and the fact that the lord lieutenant was ex officio Grand Master and the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh Prelate.

Almost nothing survives of the Order from the 18th century, but many items of regalia retained the same approximate style throughout its history.

The image here shows: Collar of 7 roses joined, by 14 knots, to 6 harps (worn by the Earl of Shaftesbury); top, Grand Master's Badge worn by Earl Talbot, lord lieutenant, 1817-19; centre left, Gold Knight's Badge thought to have belonged to the Marquis of Sligo (later badges were oval and enamelled, but this is the original form, though dating from 1818); centre right, Prelate's Badge, 1819.

Contact the Curator

Previous Months