Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) flag 30 x 46 cm

The "Ulster Banner" is one name that was given to the flag, which can be referred to as "the flag of Northern Ireland", the "[former] Northern Ireland flag", the "Red Hand Flag" or as the "Ulster Flag" (not to be confused with the provincial Flag of Ulster). The Ulster Banner was the official flag that was used to represent the Government of Northern Ireland from 1953 to 1973. In common with other British flags, any civic status of the flag was not defined in law.

In 1924, the Government of Northern Ireland was granted arms (the Coat of arms of Northern Ireland) by Royal Warrant and had the right to display these arms on a flag or banner. This right was exercised for the Coronation in 1953. Between 1953 and 1972, this flag was the arms of the Government of Northern Ireland. When the Parliament of Northern Ireland was dissolved by the British government under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, the flag ceased to have official standing but remains the only flag to date[update] which represents Northern Ireland at international level in sport.

The flag is based on the flag of England and the flag of the province of Ulster. As with the flag of the province of Ulster, it contains the Red Hand of Ulster at the centre. The meaning of the star represents the six counties that make up Northern Ireland.

reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Northern_Ireland