Color Meanings: Two Red stripes - Represent the two victorious battles of Brian Boru: 978 A.D. - Brian Boru defeated the Vikings at Limerick. 1014 A.D. - Brian Boru defeated but lost his life to the Vikings at Clontarf. Pale Blue stripes - Represent ancient Royal Blue. This was one of the battle and court colors used by Brian Boru. Gold stripes - Represent the trimming used for Brian Boru's battle and court colors. Green background - Represents the modern Irish emerald green of the shamrock Saffron stripes - Represent the color used in ancient Ireland dating from 2000 years ago.