Patrick, THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF ST., a national order of knighthood for Ireland, established by George III. on the 5th of February 1783, and enlarged in 1833. It now consists of the Sovereign, the Grand-master (the lord-lieutenant of Ireland for the time being), and twenty-two Knights.
The Collar of the order (of gold) is composed of roses alternating with harps, tied together with a knot of gold, the roses being enamelled alternately white within red, and red within white; and in the centre is an imperial crown surmounting a harp of gold, from which the badge is suspended. The Badge or Jewel is of gold, and oval; surrounding it is a wreath of shamrock proper on a gold field; within this is a band of sky-blue enamel charged with the motto of the order, QUIS SEPARABIT MDCLXXXIII., in gold letters; and within this band a saltire gules (the cross of St Patrick), surmounted by a shamrock or trefoil slipped vert, having on each of its leaves an imperial crown or. The field of the cross is either argent or pierced and left open. A sky-blue Ribbon, worn over the right shoulder, sustains the badge when the collar is not worn. The Star, worn on the left side, differs from the badge only in being circular in place of oval, and in substituting for the exterior wreath of shamrocks eight rays of silver, four of which are larger than the other four. The order is indicated by the initials K.P.