The document describes the design process for a flag to commemorate an upcoming conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. It provides the design brief of creating a flag that is significant, distinctive, and contemporary. The initial concept drew upon Dún Laoghaire's motto of "From the Mountains to the Sea" by depicting mountains and sea. After revisions, the final design featured horizontal green, blue and yellow stripes with a added shamrock, representing elements from Dún Laoghaire's arms. An illustration showed how the flag may appear flying.

1. Bratacha 2013
Festival of Flags and Emblems -
Dún Laoghaire May 9th. – 11th. 2013
The Flag Project

2. • Brief - Aims and Objectives:
1. To design a Flag to signify and Commemorate the
upcoming ‘Bratacha’ Conference and Festival in Dún
Laoghaire 2013.
2. That it should be Significant, Distinctive, and
Contemporary. It should be easily recognisable, and
identifiable when seen in high wind or at rest.
• Design parameters:
A) Format 1 by 2.
[ie. Horizontal orientation -1 unit vertically at
Flagpole, by two units horizontally. Scale - not
defined, variable]
B) 3 Colours - Green/Blue/and Yellow (Gold).

3. Arms of Dún Laoghaire (1930-1993)
• Symbolism
• Bishop’s Mitre (more probably an
Abbot’s Mitre) from Monkstown
(Civil Parish) and its association
with St. Mary’s Abbey in Dublin
• Ancient Crown to signify
association with Ard Rí Laoghaire
(Not the ‘Imperial Crown’ used by
Kingstown UDC)
• Viking Ship and coastal
fortification (symbol of the ‘Dún’
(demolished c. 1834) and the
Martello Towers (c. 1804/5)
along the coast and, of course,
the Harbour (c. 1825) etc)

4. Arms of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown
(1994 - )
• Symbolism
• Ancient Crown for Ard Rí Laoghaire
(note not the British Royal Crown of
Kingstown)
• Oak for original wooded area
• Trefoil (shamrock) from Rathdown
No. 1 District
• Mountain (green triangle)
• Viking Ship – associations with areas
of settlement & trade
• Motto ‘ Ó Chuan go Sliabh’ – ‘from
harbour to mountain’
• Arms granted by the Chief Herald of
Ireland – designed by Fergus Gillespie

5. ‘Logo’ of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown
• Symbolism
• Taken from the ‘motto’
on the Arms of Dún
Laoghaire Rathdown
County Council – Ó
Chuan go Sliabh – ‘from
Harbour to Mountain’ –
sometimes rendered as
‘From the Mountains to
the Sea’.

6. Dún Laoghaire ‘logo’ (2011/12)
• Symbolism
• This ‘logo’ was designed as
part of the ‘Brand Project’
for use by all of the
‘stakeholders’ in the Town
of Dún Laoghaire.
• Without the words ‘Dún
Laoghaire’ it is essentially
meaningless
• Community organisations
are not generally using this
‘logo’

7. Dún Laoghaire Peoples’ Heritage Flag
(2002 -)
• Symbolism
• Sacred Bull of the ancient
Irish ‘Celtic’ religion
• Gold – “Kingship” land
associated with Ard Rí
Laoghaire
• Celtic Cross – coming of
Christianity in 5th century
across the Irish Sea.
Original Flag in the National Maritime
• Dawn of Irish recorded
Museum of Ireland history (written heritage)

8. Recap on Design Brief
• Brief - Aims and Objectives:
1. To design a Flag to signify and commemorate the upcoming ‘Bratacha’
Conference and Festival in Dún Laoghaire 2013.
2. That it should be Significant, Distinctive, and Contemporary. It should
be easily recognisable, and identifiable when seen in high wind or at
rest.
• Design parameters:
A) Format 1 by 2.
[ie. Horizontal orientation -1 unit vertically at
Flagpole, by two units horizontally. Scale - not
defined, variable]
B) 3 Colours - Green/Blue/and Yellow (Gold).

9. - Initial design Concept -
As is often the case, the simplest and most elegant designs are
intuitive and direct... Derived from and referring to the Motto of
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown –
“ From The Mountains to the Sea” ...
Design Concept: Andrew Gerard Ball

10. First Draft...
• Format: 1 by 2
• Colours: Green, Blue, Yellow (Gold) – primary colours on Arms & ‘Logo’
Bratacha Flag Project Artwork & Graphics: Frank Lee Cooper

11. Shamrock added as specifically ‘Irish’ Identifier... and, of course, taking
an element from the Arms of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

12. Final Design: First draft Finished Artwork

13. Final Design: Finished Artwork

14. Flying the Flag... an Impression
Bratacha Flag – Design Concept: Andrew Gerard Ball. Project Artwork & Graphics: Frank Lee Cooper