The Flag of Ulster is the arms of the de Burgh, Earls of Ulster, combined with the red hand seal of the O'Neills. The crowns are now usually depicted as 'antique' or 'eastern': a gold rim with eight sharp, triangular rays, of which five are seen.
Similarly, the Flag of Munster (dark blue, three antique crowns Or) is thought to have been derived from those of the former Lordship of Ireland, or from the short-lived dukedom of Ireland created for Robert de Vere in 1386. The Flag of Leinster (Vert, a Harp Or, stringed Argent) is believed to have likely evolved from the arms of Ireland itself with a change of tincture. The order in which the flags appear varies. The Four Provinces Flag and variants of it are used by various all-Ireland sports teams and cultural organisations. The four traditional provinces of Ireland (Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster) are popularly displayed quartered as the arms of Ireland.
