Great Seal of Ireland
James I - 1603 to 1625
Charles II - 1649 to 1685
Charles II - From Medals, Coins, Great-Seals, Impressions from the Elaborate WORKS of THOMAS SIMON, Chief Engraver of the Mint.
Oliver Cromwell - 1655 to 1659
'Peace is won by war'
below the protector's horse.
Anne - 1707 to 1715 (Post Union of the Kingdoms)
The seals of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V are shown below. They are identical to the English designs, with the exception of the Harp of Ireland replacing the Trident of Great Britain at the bottom of the counterseal. The very small crowned Irish Harp on the George V Great Seal is also shown in greater detail. I wonder if anyone observed that the seal showed 'Ireland under the jackboots of the King'.
Queen Victoria - 1837 - 1899 - 6.2"
King Edward VII - 1904 - 1912 - 6.2"
King George V - 1912 - 1930 - 6.2"
Detail of counterseal showing the Harp of Ireland under the King's boot
On the creation of the Irish Free State (1922) a new Great Seal was created for Northern Ireland. Also, in 1923, a seal was created for Southern Ireland, with King George on the seal and the Harp of Ireland on the counterseal. The image of King George V was only removed when Ireland became a republic (1937).
King George VI - 1937 - 1948 - 6.2" (Northern Ireland)
Counterseal of the Irish Free State (1923 - 1937)
Counterseal of the Irish Republic/Eire (1937 - ?)
