of the Holy Roman Emperor (from whom the abbey received protection) dimidiated with a symbol that may be linked with the crest of the O'Brien dynasty arms (an 11th-century O'Brien is listed as the "fundator" of the abbey). The arms may have been granted to Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht and the last High King of Ireland before the Norman invasion, by the abbey as a gift to return his patronage. The arms were given as the "old tyme arms" of Ireland by the Athlone Pursuivant, Edward Fletcher, c. 1575 and, with slight change of tinctures, became the arms of Connacht in the seventeenth century. See also Armorial of Ireland Coat of arms of Northern Ireland Flag of Ireland Great Seal of the Irish Free State Irish heraldry List of flags of Ireland Seal of the President of Ireland Shamrock Notes References External links Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland Two "Ireland" images in Ulster Office's Draft Grants of Arms ca. 1580–1690: folio 18 (top left) and folio 71 Irish culture Ireland National symbols of the Republic of Ireland National symbols of Ireland Ireland Irish coats of arms