First of all…Where is Ireland?

Ireland is a small country in Europe. It is an island, which means it is sorrounded by sea.

Ireland is an island divided into two parts. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Colour Northern Ireland orange. The Republic of Ireland is an independent country. Colour it green. Dublin is the capital city. Colour it purple.Shannon is the longest river. Colour it blue. Carrountoohill is the highest mountain. Colour it yellow. Colour the sea around Ireland blue. In Ireland, there are lovely rivers, hills, green fields and lakesIreland has two official languages:

English and Irish (or Gaelic ).You might hear someone say “Erin

go bragh” on St. Patrick’s Day, which is Gaelic for “Ireland

forever.” Can you locate Blarney Castle on the

map?What is Blarney Castle famous for?

Symbols of Ireland

Irish flag

Celtic cross

Irish harp

Shamrock

Leprechaun

The Irish harp and the Shamrock

are both symbols of Ireland

Celtic music uses traditional instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle and bodhran (Irish drum).

(Animated photo from: http://www.drumdojo.com/world/ireland/bodhranintro.htm)

The harp is a symbol of Ireland. It can be seen on the presidential flag and on the back of the Irish Euro coin.

                        

                       

(Photos from: http://www.eurocoins.co.uk/ireland.html)(Photo from: http://www.publicmuseum.oshkosh.net/Exhibits/Communities/communities.html)

B-C-NB-A-S BL--K PU--ING E-GSSA--AGESTO--TSB--TERT-A

I am hungry now… Can you find the ingredients I need to prepare my Irish breakfast?

Irish stew

Irish breakfast

Scones

Irish traditional dishes

• The game of Hurling is Ireland’s national sport and passion. It is played with a ball and sticks and it has prehistoric origins. When it is played by women it is called Camogie.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu7jqZOmybc

S P O R T

The Leprechaun’s Legend

The Leprechaun is the most famous of all magical creatures in Ireland.

He is said to be only 60 centimetres tall and usually wears a green cloak, a pointed hat and boots. They are shoemakers.

The Leprechauns are the guardians of the Viking treasure, which they bury in pots called crocks and they hide under the rainbow.

If someone catches him, the Leprechaun will promise great riches, but if you stop looking at him he will disappear in a second.

There are thousands of

legends in Ireland

Next we will see some pictures about beautiful places in Ireland

Typical Irish doors

Halfpenny Bridge in Dublin

Trinity College. Dublin

CORK

Glendalough

Ashford Castle.Connemara

KINSALE

KILKENNY

CLIFFS OF MOHER

Blarney castle

Pollet Arch. DONEGAL

Some famous writersJonathan Swift was born in Dublin in 1667. He

was an Irish cleric, and poet. His most famous work Is Gulliver’s travels. He died in 1745.

Oscar Wilde was born in 1854 in Dublin. He was an Irish novelist and poet He wrote many tales as The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose. He died in Paris in 1900.

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856. He was a dramatist and literary critic. He wrote more than sixty plays. He was awarded with the Nobel Prize (1925) for his contribution to literature. His famous work is Pygmalion. He died in 1950.

Musicians• U2: It’s the most popular rock group from Ireland.

They are from Dublin. The band consists of Bono (the singer) and three musicians. They have got 15 albums. The band is active in human rights, international development and social justice causes. http://www.u2.com/

• The Chieftains: They are a band of Irish traditional music. It consists of six members. Each one plays a traditional Irish instrument and Paddy Maloney is the band's leader and composes or arranges most of the band's music. This group has got many Grammy awards and it’s got many albums as well. http://www.thechieftains.com/discography/

• The Corrs: are a Celtic folk-rock group from Dundalk (Ireland). The members of the the band are member of the same family, one brother and three sisters. They have had numerous number one singles and albums all over the world. http://www.thecorrswebsite.com/index2.htm

LISTEN TO IRISH MUSIC:

Shoe the donkey(mazurka)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oG44RGPtEE

Riverdance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B718RsboGEI&feature=related

The Corrshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEJa_VgpIAc&feature=related

Let’s have a go at Irish dancing with the song “The

devil is dead”

DANCING STEPSIn threes, join hands and:• Move the right foot from right to left 3 times.• Move the left foot from left to right 3 times.• Walk 3 steps forwards.• Walk 3 steps backwards. (Repeat).Come back to initial position. Raise hands and go under the arch as if weaving in and out.Repeat all the steps