 The Usher of the Order was " the Usher at Arms named the Black Rod " . The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in Ireland was distinct from the English officer of the same name , though like his counterpart he had some duties in the Irish House of Lords . ( The latter continues to serve as Usher to the Order of the Garter and as Serjeant @-@ at @-@ Arms of the House of Lords . ) The Irish post has been vacant since 1933 . 
