Ireland
UK/Ireland
Intro
Irish music plays in the background of your wonderful meal. Ireland is a place of joy and happiness filled with culture. There are great foods and tourist attractions here. There are many cities, languages, and holidays in this wonderful country. So go visit and learn about the wonderful country of Ireland.
Tourism
In Ireland there are many places to visit. Two of which are the Blarney castle and the Cliffs of Moher.
Blarney Castle
The Blarney Castle is a 600 year old castle with a "magic" stone. The stone is placed at the top and is said to give you good luck and fortune for the rest of your life. It is located in Cork Ireland and is estimated to be around 90 ft tall. The castle went through many different stages of different materials, starting with wood and ending in a stone state.
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to give you good luck. You have to lean over a hole that drops down around 90ft. This is me kissing the Blarney Stone in the summer of 2014. It was around an hour wait and was an amazing walk through an old historical castle. The line wove through the rooms of the castle giving you interesting sightseeing as you wait.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher is a beautiful sight in Ireland. It has strong winds and is the most visited attraction in Ireland. It gets up to 702 ft high and has a 19th century viewing tower called O'Brien's tower. It is located on the Eastern coast of Ireland. It is on the North Atlantic Sea.
Language
Irish Gaelic is the #1 official language, but English is the most commonly spoken.
Examples of Irish:
Welcome---Failte
What is your name?---Cad is ainm duit?
My name is...---Is ainm dom...
Hello--- Dia dhuit
Goodbye---Slan
History
Conversion to Christianity
In AD 432, St.Patrick, from Britannia, traveled to Ireland and spread Christianity throughout the country.
Potato Famine
This was a period of time from 1845-1852, when Ireland had a disease in their potatoes and couldn't support themselves and their families. Many Irish people migrated or died.
Irish gains Independence
In 1949 Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth and became completely independent.
A Separate Ireland
There have been many disputes over the thought of Northern Ireland and Ireland being reunited. This hasn't happened yet, but has caused some violence between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Migrant Crisis
In September, 2015, Ireland agreed to take in 4,000 refugees mainly from the Middle East. (President of Ireland shown)
Gay marriage legalized
In May 2015, Irish citizens voted on the topic of gay marriage and after the votes, gay marriage was legalized.
Climate
Mild and rainy temperatures year round
Coldest Month: January/February- 30-40 F
Hottest Month: July- 65F average
Rain is usual
The best time to visit would be in the Summer, June-August
Pack warm clothes, rain jackets, and long pants.
Holidays
St.Patrick's Day (Festival)
On March 17, Irish celebrate Ireland's culture and the christianity St.Patrick spread.
Bloomsday
On June 16, the Irish honor James Joyce, a famous literary master.
Christmas
Celebrated on December 25, Christmas is an important holiday to most of Ireland. Most of Ireland is Christianity, so celebrating Jesus's birth is definitely important.
Irish Food
Irish Stew
A stew made with lamb, many herbs, and stock.
Boiled Bacon and Cabbage
Boiled bacon, potatoes and cabbage mixed together in a bowl.
Irish Champ
A mashed potato dish mixed with scallions, milk and butter.
Cities in Ireland
Dublin
Located on the east cost of Ireland- population of 1,024,027 people
Cork
Located in the southern part of Ireland- population of 190,384
Dun Laoghaire
Located on the Eastern cost of Ireland- population of 185,400
Limerick
Located by the River Shannon on the Western side of Ireland- population of 90,054
Galway
Located on the eastern coast, by the River Corrib- population of 70,686