Dr Stephen Goss is an historian, policy and research manager, and a Conservative councillor in Reading.
Last month Andrew Rosindell MP asked the Northern Ireland Secretary if he would assess the merits in reviving the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick (“the Order”) – this country’s third-highest ranking order of chivalry.
Alas, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) replied that no consideration was being given to doing so, and that “as constituted, the order does not provide a suitable vehicle for recognition”.
Official hesitation is understandable. The Order was – is – the national order of Ireland. Indeed, it is outranked only by the Order of the Garter (England) and the Order of the Thistle (Scotland). No conferrals have been recommended since partition, and the last knight died in 1974.
Yet Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, and has always been proud of the tradition of Irish service embodied in the Order. In 1922, Unionist leaders celebrated that the Cross of St Patrick would not, thanks to their staying, need to be struck from the Union Jack.
With unionist concern over the Sea Border still preventing the return of devolved government, some symbolic recognition of their place in the UK could hardly go amiss. Last year’s centenary of the founding of Northern Ireland was an excellent and apposite opportunity to revive the Order.
Sadly, the Government missed it. Nonetheless, now is the time to shake the Order from its dormant state and resurrect it fit for the 21st Century.
Why restore the Order of St Patrick – or for that matter worry about the lack of a specific honour for the Northern Irish? It may seem a pointless discussion to have in this day and age when society is moving away from arcane titles.
Yet, the honours system remains an important and popular way for the country to recognise achievement and service to the nation. Twice a year honours are conferred on individuals who selflessly volunteer, demonstrate moral and physical courage, or are outstanding in their field.
The Order was founded by George III in 1783 on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It was conceived as the highest honour that any Irishman could have bestowed upon him – just as the Garter and Thistle are for English and Scottish people.
The emblem of the Order was the cross of St Patrick, a red saltire on a white field. Such was the Order’s prestige and significance, it was this cross that was chosen to represent Ireland in the Union Flag, and it still represents Northern Ireland in it today.
With partition, however, the Order received an effective death blow. The last non-royal knighthood conferred was on Northern Ireland’s first Governor, the Duke of Abercorn; the Free State government of WT Cosgrove deliberately decided not to make nominations. The last royal knight, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, died in 1974, and the Order has been dormant since.
Yet there is precedent for resurrecting honours that have fallen into abeyance. In 2012 the British Empire Medal was awarded in the UK for the first time since the Government decided to drop it in 1993.
All that is lacking is the political will to restore this historic body. Now is the time to summon up that will.
The NIO is correct that the current statutes for the order are outdated. This is not an impediment to restoration. They have previously been updated, as have those for the Garter and the Thistle. Originally the Order was open only to Irish men (explicitly gentlemen) – and only gentlemen already holding at least a knighthood at that. No one other than peers and princes was ever appointed.
Similar conditions originally governed the Garter. Yet they have since been set aside, and Her late Majesty admitted women to both it and the Thistle in 1987. The Garter is today awarded by the Sovereign to:
“Honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.”
There is no reason why the Order of St Patrick could not be bestowed on Northern Irish individuals on the same basis.
Perhaps officials are concerned about its religious connotations. As a Northern Irishman and a Catholic, let me offer them some reassurance on that score.
Despite its initial Church of Ireland connexions, numerous Catholics have been appointed to the Order throughout its history. Once restored, it could and should be awarded on a cross-community basis. Given its exclusively Irish heritage and association with Ireland’s pre-eminent patron saint, it could prove to be a more comfortable honour for many Catholics to accept than extant orders – especially the Order of the British Empire.
Likewise, whilst it is traditional for orders of chivalry to be based in a chapel (St George’s in Windsor Castle for the Garter; St Giles’s in Edinburgh for the Thistle), the Order’s cross-community credentials not need not be undermined by choosing a church of one denomination for its chapel.
Prior to partition, it relocated from St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin to the Great Hall (now called St Patrick’s Hall) of Dublin Castle. On this precedent, it could find a new, secular home in the Throne Room of Hillsborough Castle, or the Great Hall at Stormont.
What about diplomatic considerations? Again, things have changed since Cosgrove’s time. Ingrained resentments have diminished in Ireland in recent years and it is unlikely that there would be objections to restoration from the Irish Government today.
Following refurbishment of St Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle, the banners of the knights at the time of partition in 1922 were returned to the walls of the chamber. This is the room in which the President is inaugurated: the ceremony takes place beneath the emblems of the Order. In fact, in the 1960s the Irish government, under Seán Lemass, seriously considered its own bid to revive it.
Thus, a revived Order of St Patrick could even be an opportunity for a bit of soft power. Ireland’s constitution prohibits honours, but even the Irish Greens are now calling for some sort of system. Many from Ireland have accepted British honours over the decades, and the late Queen received a warm welcome on her state visit in 2011. Why not find some means of making Irish citizens eligible?
Some would not accept it, of course, as would not some nationalists in Northern Ireland. Republicans would object, and loudly.
But that is no reason not to revive the Order. Northern Ireland runs on compromise, when it runs at all; there is not and cannot be a requirement for all parties to approve of every facet of its constitution.
Unionists have been asked to accept economic arrangements which they feel seriously undermine their place in the UK; it would not be unreasonable to expect republicans to put up with a knighthood they are free to personally reject.
And what could be a more appropriate way of recognising the many contributions that people from Northern Ireland – regardless of their background – make in public office or to UK national life than restoring the Order of St Patrick?
A few weeks ago the Prime Minister hosted a reception in Downing Street to celebrate Northern Irish businesses and culture. This was little more than a gesture as Northern Ireland has been sacrificed in order to “get Brexit done”.
Making this symbolic but historic step, in contrast, would be a tangible indication that Northern Ireland and the service of its people are valued. Much more reassuring than any amount of ministerial rhetoric or drinks receptions.
Dr Stephen Goss is an historian, policy and research manager, and a Conservative councillor in Reading.
Last month Andrew Rosindell MP asked the Northern Ireland Secretary if he would assess the merits in reviving the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick (“the Order”) – this country’s third-highest ranking order of chivalry.
Alas, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) replied that no consideration was being given to doing so, and that “as constituted, the order does not provide a suitable vehicle for recognition”.
Official hesitation is understandable. The Order was – is – the national order of Ireland. Indeed, it is outranked only by the Order of the Garter (England) and the Order of the Thistle (Scotland). No conferrals have been recommended since partition, and the last knight died in 1974.
Yet Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, and has always been proud of the tradition of Irish service embodied in the Order. In 1922, Unionist leaders celebrated that the Cross of St Patrick would not, thanks to their staying, need to be struck from the Union Jack.
With unionist concern over the Sea Border still preventing the return of devolved government, some symbolic recognition of their place in the UK could hardly go amiss. Last year’s centenary of the founding of Northern Ireland was an excellent and apposite opportunity to revive the Order.
Sadly, the Government missed it. Nonetheless, now is the time to shake the Order from its dormant state and resurrect it fit for the 21st Century.
Why restore the Order of St Patrick – or for that matter worry about the lack of a specific honour for the Northern Irish? It may seem a pointless discussion to have in this day and age when society is moving away from arcane titles.
Yet, the honours system remains an important and popular way for the country to recognise achievement and service to the nation. Twice a year honours are conferred on individuals who selflessly volunteer, demonstrate moral and physical courage, or are outstanding in their field.
The Order was founded by George III in 1783 on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It was conceived as the highest honour that any Irishman could have bestowed upon him – just as the Garter and Thistle are for English and Scottish people.
The emblem of the Order was the cross of St Patrick, a red saltire on a white field. Such was the Order’s prestige and significance, it was this cross that was chosen to represent Ireland in the Union Flag, and it still represents Northern Ireland in it today.
With partition, however, the Order received an effective death blow. The last non-royal knighthood conferred was on Northern Ireland’s first Governor, the Duke of Abercorn; the Free State government of WT Cosgrove deliberately decided not to make nominations. The last royal knight, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, died in 1974, and the Order has been dormant since.
Yet there is precedent for resurrecting honours that have fallen into abeyance. In 2012 the British Empire Medal was awarded in the UK for the first time since the Government decided to drop it in 1993.
All that is lacking is the political will to restore this historic body. Now is the time to summon up that will.
The NIO is correct that the current statutes for the order are outdated. This is not an impediment to restoration. They have previously been updated, as have those for the Garter and the Thistle. Originally the Order was open only to Irish men (explicitly gentlemen) – and only gentlemen already holding at least a knighthood at that. No one other than peers and princes was ever appointed.
Similar conditions originally governed the Garter. Yet they have since been set aside, and Her late Majesty admitted women to both it and the Thistle in 1987. The Garter is today awarded by the Sovereign to:
“Honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.”
There is no reason why the Order of St Patrick could not be bestowed on Northern Irish individuals on the same basis.
Perhaps officials are concerned about its religious connotations. As a Northern Irishman and a Catholic, let me offer them some reassurance on that score.
Despite its initial Church of Ireland connexions, numerous Catholics have been appointed to the Order throughout its history. Once restored, it could and should be awarded on a cross-community basis. Given its exclusively Irish heritage and association with Ireland’s pre-eminent patron saint, it could prove to be a more comfortable honour for many Catholics to accept than extant orders – especially the Order of the British Empire.
Likewise, whilst it is traditional for orders of chivalry to be based in a chapel (St George’s in Windsor Castle for the Garter; St Giles’s in Edinburgh for the Thistle), the Order’s cross-community credentials not need not be undermined by choosing a church of one denomination for its chapel.
Prior to partition, it relocated from St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin to the Great Hall (now called St Patrick’s Hall) of Dublin Castle. On this precedent, it could find a new, secular home in the Throne Room of Hillsborough Castle, or the Great Hall at Stormont.
What about diplomatic considerations? Again, things have changed since Cosgrove’s time. Ingrained resentments have diminished in Ireland in recent years and it is unlikely that there would be objections to restoration from the Irish Government today.
Following refurbishment of St Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle, the banners of the knights at the time of partition in 1922 were returned to the walls of the chamber. This is the room in which the President is inaugurated: the ceremony takes place beneath the emblems of the Order. In fact, in the 1960s the Irish government, under Seán Lemass, seriously considered its own bid to revive it.
Thus, a revived Order of St Patrick could even be an opportunity for a bit of soft power. Ireland’s constitution prohibits honours, but even the Irish Greens are now calling for some sort of system. Many from Ireland have accepted British honours over the decades, and the late Queen received a warm welcome on her state visit in 2011. Why not find some means of making Irish citizens eligible?
Some would not accept it, of course, as would not some nationalists in Northern Ireland. Republicans would object, and loudly.
But that is no reason not to revive the Order. Northern Ireland runs on compromise, when it runs at all; there is not and cannot be a requirement for all parties to approve of every facet of its constitution.
Unionists have been asked to accept economic arrangements which they feel seriously undermine their place in the UK; it would not be unreasonable to expect republicans to put up with a knighthood they are free to personally reject.
And what could be a more appropriate way of recognising the many contributions that people from Northern Ireland – regardless of their background – make in public office or to UK national life than restoring the Order of St Patrick?
A few weeks ago the Prime Minister hosted a reception in Downing Street to celebrate Northern Irish businesses and culture. This was little more than a gesture as Northern Ireland has been sacrificed in order to “get Brexit done”.
Making this symbolic but historic step, in contrast, would be a tangible indication that Northern Ireland and the service of its people are valued. Much more reassuring than any amount of ministerial rhetoric or drinks receptions.