Ardee

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ARDEE

County : Louth

Official blazon

Per fess or and azure a fess barry wavy of four azure and argent between in chief two swords points upwards in saltires interlaced with an olive wreath and in base a representation of the castle of Ardee all proper, with the Motto: Ná bris sith, ná bris cairdis.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted to the Ardee Town Commissioners on 9 May, 1980.

The fortification is Ardee Castle which was built in the 15th century and served in the defence of the Pale. The wavy lines represent the River Dee on which the town was founded. The name Ardee is Irish for “Áth Fhirdia,” which means “Ford of Ferdia.” Ferdia was a warrior in Irish mythology that fought a famous epic battle against Cú Chulainn which is symbolised by the two crossed swords inside the laurel wreath. The motto “Ná bris sith, ná bris cairdis” is Irish for “Don't break peace, don't break friendship” which also comes from this mythical battle.

Literature : Information provided by Stan Zamyatin Moore