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Irish Farewell Banner

I am looking for information on the Farewell Banner given to the "Wild Geese" in 1792. I have found many descriptions of how the flag is decorated, etc. I am more interested in seeing a photo or drawing.
Ryan Ravenscar, 12 December 2003

This flag was mentioned in G.A. Hayes-McCoy's "A History of Irish Flags from Earliest Times" [p. 75]. He says "This banner has been inadequately described, but we are told that it bore a representation of the Irish Harp with decorations of shamrocks and fleurs de lis and - apparently - that it also bore the motto 1692-1792 Semper et ubique fidelis (Always and everywhere faithful)." From the way Hayes-McCoy worded that I'm afraid that it sounds as if no reliable illustration may have survived, and any reconstruction which may be around today would be based partly on guesswork. For what it is worth, the source Hayes-McCoy cited as his source was J.C. O'Callaghan, "History of the Irish Brigades in the Service of France" (1870 ed.; p.634).

Perhaps Hayes-McCoy was wrong, or perhaps I'm over-interpreting him, but as far as I can tell the chances don't appear good that we have a reliable illustration. But I'd be glad to be proven wrong.
Ned Smith, 14 December 2003

Part of the problem in finding an illustration may have been that as a farewell banner presented at the disbanding of the regiments it might have been publicly displayed only once- at the presentation. It may have been destroyed during the turmoil of the Revolution when many artefacts connected with royalty were destroyed, but if it did survive the Revolution it may still exist somewhere. Since many of the Irish officers married into continental families it could be in some family seat or local museum anywhere in Catholic Europe, its significance unrecognized.
Ned Smith, 16 December 2003

See also:

Ireland