Armorial bearings, or coats-of-arms originated during medieval days as a means of identifying armoured knights on the battlefield and at the tournament. To avoid any danger of duplication heralds were employed to regulate and record the issuance of coats-of-arms.
When the military use of heralds became obsolete their expertise was directed to serve a wide range of formal and decorative uses in the civil and political life of Europe. Heralds have functioned in Ireland since 1382 and the situation was formalised when the post of Ulster King of Arms, Herald of all Ireland was created by Edward VI in 1552 (now the oldest office in the State of Ireland) and continued under that name until 1943 when the Office of Arms was transferred to the Government of Ireland and renamed the Genealogical Office.
One of the principal functions of the Office is the design, assignment and registration of heraldic property under the authority of the Government. It is open to civic and corporate bodies as well as individuals to petition the officers of arms for a formal assignment or grant of arms. The Office also operates a Museum and Archive, founded in 1909.
Image: Two coats-of-arms. On the left is that of O'Murphy of Muskerry, Co. Cork: on the right is the coat-of-arms of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.
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Heraldic Museum and Genealogical Offices 2 Kildare St
Dublin 2
Telephone: +353-1-6030311
Fax: +353-1-6621062
Email: herald@nli.ie
Opening hours
Mon-Wed: 10.00-20.00
Thurs-Fri: 10.00-16.30
Sat: 10.00-12.30
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The above information was valid to the best knowledge available to the compiler but responsibility cannot be accepted for any unintentional inaccuracies or out of date data.
