Summary

Green sash from the Irish National Foresters.The initials P.C.R. stand for Past Chief Ranger. The gold harp is the crest of the Irish National Foresters, while I.N.F is their initials.

The Irish National Foresters Organisation began in 1877 as a breakaway from the parent Order of Foresters which was set up in England by serfs. Because they could not meet openly, they gathered in dense forest and gave names associated with forestry to their leaders. The self-help Order of Foresters gave the title of Chief Ranger and Assistant Chief Ranger to the men at the top, and members of the executive of local branches were called Woodward, Beadle and other names associated with their secret meeting places. The I.N.F grew rapidly and soon became the largest friendly society in Ireland. It supported Irish nationalism and its constitution called for 'government for Ireland by the Irish people in accordance with Irish ideas and Irish aspirations'. The rules of the I.N.F were those of the parent body. It is non-sectarian, non-political and there is no class distinction. It is a mutual aid society, established to help members in distress and the relatives of members who have died.

Physical Description

Pale emerald green sash attached at both ends by a gold thread button. The edges are bordered by an embroidered gold thread pattern. Two stitched cables run parallel to a wavy stitched cable in between the two cables. The crest of the Irish National Foresters - a gold thread embroidered harp - is in the centre. There are initials above the crest and three gold thread embroidered clovers (three leafed) and initials below the crest. At each end are gold corded tassels.

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