A tour of Ireland

Eva Martínez García

IrelandBasic factsHistoryCulturePlaces to visit . Dublin . Possible trips

1.Where is Ireland?

Divided by two political entities:

Republic of Ireland. Capital: Dublin.

Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Capital: Belfast.

The western island of Great Britain

2. Basic facts: Island’s area: 84,412 square kilometers

4 provinces

32 counties•26 in the Republic•6 in Northern Ireland

6 million population approx.• 4.25m in the Republic • 1.7m in Dublin area

• 1.75m in Northern Ireland• 0.6m in Belfast area

The flag of Ireland: green, white and orange. •The green for Catholics•The orange for Protestants, •The white for the hope for peace between both.

The official currency: the Euro. On the back it can be seen the harp, a symbol of Ireland.

Two languages: English and Gaelic-Irish.

3. A Brief History of Ireland Origins: The Celtic People (-1000 B.C.) It was never part of the Roman Empire (called Hibernia). 5th Century: the coming of Christianity (by St. Patrick) Early medieval times: independent kingdom. 9th Century: viking invasions. They founded Dublin. 1200-1450 Anglo-Norman invasion occurs. 1500-1840 English Rule 1845 - 1849 The Great Famine : 1.5 million Irish people died, and many

million migrated. 1919 - 1921 The War of Independence and Partition of the country 1922 - 1923 The Irish Civil War 1923 - 1969 Northern Ireland ruled from Belfast, Republic ruled from

Dublin. 1969: beginning of troubles between Catholic and Protestant people.

Ulster governed from London. 1998: peace process for Ulster.

Music

Symbols

•Green colour

•Harp

•Shamrock

•Leprechaun

•Celtic symbols

4. Culture, traditions, symbols

Sports. “National Sports”:

• Hurling

• Gaelic football

Food: Irish stew

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

• Saint Patrick made Irish people become Christian in the fifth

century.

• He is the patron of Ireland and Saint Patrick’s Day (17th

March) is the Irish National Holiday

• The typical celebrations include street parades. The Dublin

Street Parade is the most popular one.

• The descendants of Irish emigrants in the United States of

America, New Zealand and Australia also celebrate it.

5. Places to visitDUBLIN Trinity College

One day trip

North: •Belfast •Giant´s causeway

Center: •Glendalough•Megalithic monuments

West: •Cliffs of Moher•Galway•Bunraty Castle

Would you like to visit Ireland?