when is the irish flag flown at half mast
Half-mast The flag of Ireland is flown at half-mast on the death of a national or international figure, that is, former and current Presidents or Taoiseach, on all prominent government buildings equipped with a flag pole. The death of a prominent local figure can also be marked locally by the flag being flown at half-mast. When the national flag is flown at half-mast, no other flag should be half-masted. When a balcony in Berkeley, California, collapsed, killing six Irish people, flags were flown at half mast above all state buildings.
Half-mast In the United States, the usual government term for non-nautical use is "half-staff." While the term "half-mast" is commonly used in place of half-staff, U.S. law and post-WW-I military tradition indicate that "half-mast" is reserved to usage aboard a ship, where flags are typically flown from masts, and at naval ships ashore.[54][55] Elsewhere ashore, flags are flown at "half-staff." In addition, flags are lowered to half-staff, not raised.[56]
Union Jack The terms Union Jack and Union Flag are both historically correct for describing the de facto national flag of the United Kingdom. Whether the term Union Jack applies only when used as a jack flag on a ship is a modern matter of debate.[9]
Half-mast The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century.[3] According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an "invisible flag of death" flying above.[4] However, there is disagreement about where on a flagpole a flag should be when it is at half-staff. It is often recommended that a flag at half-staff should be lowered only as much as the hoist, or width, of the flag.[5][6] British flag protocol is that a flag should be flown no less than two-thirds of the way up the flagpole, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole.[7] It is common for the phrase to be taken literally and for a flag to be flown only half way up a flagpole,[8] although some authorities deprecate that practice.[6]