In this section you will learn a lot more about the geography, language and culture of Ireland.
Language
Irish (Gaelic or Irish Gaelic) originated in Ireland and was spoken by the Irish. The Irish language is part of the Indo-European Today family. Irish is spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population, but still plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish. It is the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. Nowadays there is obligatory teaching of Irish in schools. This has led to an increase of Irish-speakers.
In Northern Ireland the Irish language isn't appreciated by everyone. The language has been regarded with suspicion by Unionists, who have associated it with the chatholicism dominated South of Ireland. In 1998, Irish received a degree of official language in Northern Ireland for the first time.
Names
Many of the place names in Ireland are anglicised versions of the way the original Irish name was pronounced. The settlers tried to preserve the place names by writing them in English. Although this resulted in some beautiful sounding place names, it lost the meaning behind them. Have a look at these place names.
Baile, means a town or townland: Ballymena
Loch: means a lake: Loughrea
Gleann: means a glen or valley: Glenroe
Inis, means an island: Loughbeg
Sliabh, means a mountain: Slieveroe
Irish names have a number of origins which are greatly influenced by historical events that have taken place. Many names are drawn from myths, legends and folklore. Paddy (short for Patrick) and Mickey (short for Michael) are not Gaelic names but they are so often used in Ireland that these two names are sometimes used jokingly to mean 'an Irishman'. Here are some typical Irish names.
Liam, means will helmet: William
Séamus, derived from Jacob: James
Séan, God has favoured (from Hebrew): John
Many Irish surnames are very similar. This is because the surname actually means 'son of' or 'from the family of'. These are the most common beginnings of surnames: Fitz, Gil, Kil, Mc, O'.
Irish (Gaelic or Irish Gaelic) originated in Ireland and was spoken by the Irish. The Irish language is part of the Indo-European Today family. Irish is spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population, but still plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish. It is the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. Nowadays there is obligatory teaching of Irish in schools. This has led to an increase of Irish-speakers.
In Northern Ireland the Irish language isn't appreciated by everyone. The language has been regarded with suspicion by Unionists, who have associated it with the chatholicism dominated South of Ireland. In 1998, Irish received a degree of official language in Northern Ireland for the first time.
Names
Many of the place names in Ireland are anglicised versions of the way the original Irish name was pronounced. The settlers tried to preserve the place names by writing them in English. Although this resulted in some beautiful sounding place names, it lost the meaning behind them. Have a look at these place names.
Baile, means a town or townland: Ballymena
Loch: means a lake: Loughrea
Gleann: means a glen or valley: Glenroe
Inis, means an island: Loughbeg
Sliabh, means a mountain: Slieveroe
Irish names have a number of origins which are greatly influenced by historical events that have taken place. Many names are drawn from myths, legends and folklore. Paddy (short for Patrick) and Mickey (short for Michael) are not Gaelic names but they are so often used in Ireland that these two names are sometimes used jokingly to mean 'an Irishman'. Here are some typical Irish names.
Liam, means will helmet: William
Séamus, derived from Jacob: James
Séan, God has favoured (from Hebrew): John
Many Irish surnames are very similar. This is because the surname actually means 'son of' or 'from the family of'. These are the most common beginnings of surnames: Fitz, Gil, Kil, Mc, O'.
Counties
In Ireland there are 32 counties. We'll discuss some of them.
1. Antrim
The first county is Antrim. It is situated in the very North East of Ireland (Ulster). Antrim has a coast with a remarkablee stretch of country of its geological composition that goes back 300 million years ago. Its county town is Belfast, also the capital of Ulster which used to be a small town with a huge activity in wool, grain, butter and salted meat. It was in Belfast that the Titanic was sent out on her fatal voyage.
In this county you can find the Glens of Antrim. It exist of 9 glens. Each of these has a character of its own. The Glens were very hard to reach until the Antrim Coast Road was built in 1834.The road has been named after its most famous feature, the Giant's Causeway. It is considered the eighth wonder of the world. It is said to be caused by mother nature. 60 millian years ago Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity. The lava cooled down and it formed a mass of stone columns standing near together.
In Ireland there are 32 counties. We'll discuss some of them.
1. Antrim
The first county is Antrim. It is situated in the very North East of Ireland (Ulster). Antrim has a coast with a remarkablee stretch of country of its geological composition that goes back 300 million years ago. Its county town is Belfast, also the capital of Ulster which used to be a small town with a huge activity in wool, grain, butter and salted meat. It was in Belfast that the Titanic was sent out on her fatal voyage.
In this county you can find the Glens of Antrim. It exist of 9 glens. Each of these has a character of its own. The Glens were very hard to reach until the Antrim Coast Road was built in 1834.The road has been named after its most famous feature, the Giant's Causeway. It is considered the eighth wonder of the world. It is said to be caused by mother nature. 60 millian years ago Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity. The lava cooled down and it formed a mass of stone columns standing near together.
In ancient times it was believed that the causeway was the work of the giant Finn McCool, the Ulster warrior and commander of the king of Ireland's armies. Finn was said to live in a draughty Antrim land. One day he fell in love with a lady giant who lived on an island in the Scottish Hebrides. In order to bring her across to Ulster he began to build the wide causeway.
The inhabitants of the glens are descended from native Irish or Scots and it is said that they are great story-tellers. Many of their stories are about "The Wee Folk" and their devilish acts. It is also believed that one should never cut down a Fairy Thorn (Skeogh). Terrible things will happen to anyone who would cut it down. Even today Irish farmers are still superstious.
The inhabitants of the glens are descended from native Irish or Scots and it is said that they are great story-tellers. Many of their stories are about "The Wee Folk" and their devilish acts. It is also believed that one should never cut down a Fairy Thorn (Skeogh). Terrible things will happen to anyone who would cut it down. Even today Irish farmers are still superstious.
2. Cork
Cork county is the largest county of Ireland. Capital city of this county is Cork. Cork is believed to be one of the oldest Irish cities, the city is situated on the banks of the river Lee. This city is located on the South-West coast of Ireland and is the second biggest city of the Republic of Ireland.
The county is often referred to as "the Rebel County" because of the many struggles this county has been through. 5 miles from Cork city you can find the Blarney stone which is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. According to the legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great skill at flattery). Another must see thing is the port of Cobh. This port is famous because of its many Irish emigrants boarded for their voyage to the United States, Australia, Canada, etc. Also the Titanic made his last stop in Cobh before going on his journey.
Cork county is the largest county of Ireland. Capital city of this county is Cork. Cork is believed to be one of the oldest Irish cities, the city is situated on the banks of the river Lee. This city is located on the South-West coast of Ireland and is the second biggest city of the Republic of Ireland.
The county is often referred to as "the Rebel County" because of the many struggles this county has been through. 5 miles from Cork city you can find the Blarney stone which is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. According to the legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great skill at flattery). Another must see thing is the port of Cobh. This port is famous because of its many Irish emigrants boarded for their voyage to the United States, Australia, Canada, etc. Also the Titanic made his last stop in Cobh before going on his journey.
3. Londonderry/Derry
The capital town of (London)derry, Derry City, is Northern Ireland's second largest city. The county is know as Derry to the Catholics and nationalists and as Londonderry to the Protestants and Unionists. It stands on a hill on the banks of the river Foyle. It came under attack for over a thousand years because of its location close to open sea.
The county has beaches in the North and touches the Sperrins, the largest mountain range in Northern Ireland.
The capital town of (London)derry, Derry City, is Northern Ireland's second largest city. The county is know as Derry to the Catholics and nationalists and as Londonderry to the Protestants and Unionists. It stands on a hill on the banks of the river Foyle. It came under attack for over a thousand years because of its location close to open sea.
The county has beaches in the North and touches the Sperrins, the largest mountain range in Northern Ireland.
4. Dublin
The county of Dublin is named after the city Dublin which is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. This county has been one of the first seized counties by the Norman invasion.
One of the oldest landmarks in Dublin city is Dublin castle. It was first founded as a major defensive work ordered by King John of England.
Another famous landmark in Dublin is Trinity College where you can find the Book of Kells which is an illustrated manuscript created by Irish monks around the 9th century.
Dublin also hosts one of its most famous export products which is Guiness. This popular Irish beer was invented by Arthur Guiness in his brewery in Dublin.
One of the most famous persons that was born in Dublin was novelist and poet, James Joyce. He is considered as one of the most influential writers of his era. His best known work is Ulysses, a landmark work in which he paralleled with Homer's Odyssey.
The county of Dublin is named after the city Dublin which is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. This county has been one of the first seized counties by the Norman invasion.
One of the oldest landmarks in Dublin city is Dublin castle. It was first founded as a major defensive work ordered by King John of England.
Another famous landmark in Dublin is Trinity College where you can find the Book of Kells which is an illustrated manuscript created by Irish monks around the 9th century.
Dublin also hosts one of its most famous export products which is Guiness. This popular Irish beer was invented by Arthur Guiness in his brewery in Dublin.
One of the most famous persons that was born in Dublin was novelist and poet, James Joyce. He is considered as one of the most influential writers of his era. His best known work is Ulysses, a landmark work in which he paralleled with Homer's Odyssey.
Culture
1. Saint Patrick - Saint patrick's day
Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. His original name was Maewyn Succat and was born in 387 AD. In his teens, he was captured by a gang of Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. There he came to believe that his enslavement was a punishment for his lack of faith.
1. Saint Patrick - Saint patrick's day
Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. His original name was Maewyn Succat and was born in 387 AD. In his teens, he was captured by a gang of Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. There he came to believe that his enslavement was a punishment for his lack of faith.
After escaping, he decided to follow his vocation to become a priest. He studied for years and adopted the name 'Patrick'. Eventually he returned to Ireland and brought the message of Christ to many people who had never heard of it. He used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The Irish consider a shamrock to be a symbol of good luck. Therefore it has become a traditional icon of Saint Patrick's day which is the traditional Irish holiday celebrated every year on March 17, the day Saint Patrick died. The first didn't take place in Ireland but the United States. Irish soldiers, serving in the English military, marched through New York. The parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots. A typical day is to dress up in green and gold, eat Irish food, drinking, games and parades.
Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common en ofted worshipped. Driving the snakes from ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice.
Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common en ofted worshipped. Driving the snakes from ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice.
A leprechaun is a male fairy and typical of Irish folklore and mythology. This creature takes the form of an old, small man in a green coat who is looking for trouble. According to legends, leprechauns are very tricky and grumpy. They live alone and pass their time by making shoes. They also have a hidden pot of gold.
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