Montserrat, known as the Caribbean's own Emerald Isle, shares much in common with Ireland. The Arawak and Carib were Montserrat's first residents before Christopher Columbus discovered the island and named it after Catalonia's Monastery of Montserrat in 1493.
Montserrat’s nickname is the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean,†not only because of its lush green landscape, but also because the island has a distinctive historical connection to Ireland.Montserrat was settled in the early seventeenth century by Irish Catholics seeking refuge from religious persecution in Ireland and other British colonies such as neighboring island St. Kitts as well as Virginia.
By the late seventeenth century, British and Anglo-Irish plantation owners in Montserrat had developed a slave economy and African slaves planned their first large-scale uprising there for March 17th, 1768. As the story goes, the slaves knew that Anglo-Irish masters would be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and otherwise distracted with drink and dance. The rebellion failed when someone revealed the plan, but Montserratians today commemorate St. Patrick’s Day as the first attempted slave insurrection on the island. It was a major step in the movement towards emancipation, which was finally achieved in 1834.
The current Montserrat flag was adopted on January 25, 1999, when the coat of arms was enlarged. The Montserrat flag was originally adopted on April 10, 1909. Much of the island of Montserrat was devastated and over two-thirds of the population fled after the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on July 18, 1995. The eruptions have continued, making large parts of the island uninhabitable.
The banner of Montserrat comprises of a dull blue base with a British Union Jack in the upper left quarter. The nation's escutcheon is on the right-hand half of the Montserrat banner. The crest comprises of a lady with a harp, grasping a cross.
The national coat of arms of this island impersonates Erin, the female symbol of Ireland holding a harp in her hand. Apparently this island had Irish, Spanish and English ancestors. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Montserrat flag for the future.
Montserrat’s nickname is the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean,†not only because of its lush green landscape, but also because the island has a distinctive historical connection to Ireland.Montserrat was settled in the early seventeenth century by Irish Catholics seeking refuge from religious persecution in Ireland and other British colonies such as neighboring island St. Kitts as well as Virginia.
By the late seventeenth century, British and Anglo-Irish plantation owners in Montserrat had developed a slave economy and African slaves planned their first large-scale uprising there for March 17th, 1768. As the story goes, the slaves knew that Anglo-Irish masters would be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and otherwise distracted with drink and dance. The rebellion failed when someone revealed the plan, but Montserratians today commemorate St. Patrick’s Day as the first attempted slave insurrection on the island. It was a major step in the movement towards emancipation, which was finally achieved in 1834.
The current Montserrat flag was adopted on January 25, 1999, when the coat of arms was enlarged. The Montserrat flag was originally adopted on April 10, 1909. Much of the island of Montserrat was devastated and over two-thirds of the population fled after the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on July 18, 1995. The eruptions have continued, making large parts of the island uninhabitable.
The banner of Montserrat comprises of a dull blue base with a British Union Jack in the upper left quarter. The nation's escutcheon is on the right-hand half of the Montserrat banner. The crest comprises of a lady with a harp, grasping a cross.
The national coat of arms of this island impersonates Erin, the female symbol of Ireland holding a harp in her hand. Apparently this island had Irish, Spanish and English ancestors. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Montserrat flag for the future.