The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick
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Date of Institution: 1783
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Ranks: One
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Knight of St Patrick – K.P.
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Motto: Quis separabit?
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Insignia:
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Riband: Sky-blue;
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Star: Cross of St Patrick (red saltire) with three crowns;
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Mantle: Sky-blue satin or silk and lined white silk
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Cordon: Blue silk and gold;
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Tassels: Blue silk and gold;
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Embroidered badge: Representation of the star of a Knight Companion, composed of silver, consisting of eight points (four greater and four lesser) issuing from a centre enclosing a representation of the badge of the Order but without the wreath of trefoils;
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Hood: Sky-blue satin and lined with white silk;
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Hat: Black velvet with feathers (originally blue satin with three feathers, red, blue and white);
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Size of Order: Maximum of 22 knights (15 until 1833)
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Chapel: In St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin (until 1871); none thereafter;
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Officers:
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Grand Master;
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Prelate (Archbishop of Armagh) (abolished in 1885);
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Chancellor (Archbishop of Dublin until 1886; Chief Secretary of Ireland from then until 1922; vacant since that date);
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Registrar (Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral until 1890; Ulster King of Arms from then until 1943; Norroy and Ulster King of Arms from then);
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King of Arms (Ulster King of Arms from then until 1943; Norroy and Ulster King of Arms since that date);
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Secretary (vacant since 1926);
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Genealogist (abolished in 1885; reinstated in 1889; vacant since 1930);
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Usher of the Black Rod (vacant since 1933);
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Cork Herald (abolished in 1880; reinstated in 1905; vacant since 1952);
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Dublin Herald (abolished in 1890; reinstated in 1905; vacant since 1952);
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Athlone Pursuivant (created in 1552; attached to the Order from 1783; vacant since 1921);
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Junior Pursuivant (abolished in 1891)
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Cork Pusuivant (established in 1921; vacant since 1936)
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Comments: There have been no appointments to this order since 1936. Women are not eligible for this order.
References