Where were the Italian-American athletes waving the Italian flag, or the Irish-Americans waving the Irish flag?

CNN: U.S. Olympic athlete, Mexican flag?

"I played golf for Ireland and I played for Great Britain and Ireland, so I've walked out to the Irish national anthem and stood under the Irish flag and I've walked out to the British national anthem and stood under the Union Jack, " she said.

BBC: Rory McIlroy

Local Democratic Unionist councillor Roger Hutchinson said he believed the attack may have been connected to an Irish tricolor flag, which was put up on the roof of an empty house two doors away last week.

BBC: News Online

During the Euro 2012 football games a group of Irish fans made a flag with a message for Angela Merkel.

BBC: Oscar Knox

Sinn Fein's two ministers on the Northern Ireland Executive, Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun, might refuse to work in the buildings should the Union flag be flown without the Irish tricolour at its side.

BBC: Debate over Union flag issue

His fascination with Irish history was reflected in his book The Green Flag, published in 1972, initially in three volumes.

BBC: Obituary: Robert Kee

However, his decision to have an Irish tricolour on display in his office alongside the Union flag angered some unionists.

BBC: Alex Maskey was elected to the top council post in June

It has not been the best year for UK hopefuls, with only two Brits flying the flag in the four acting categories - Anglo-Irish actor Day-Lewis and British-Australian actress Naomi Watts.

BBC: Oscars 2013: Stars arrive in Hollywood for Academy Awards

The British flag has long been a flashpoint between British loyalists and Irish nationalists, who want Northern Ireland to join the Irish republic.

CNN: Police deploy water cannon at Northern Ireland riot