IrelandIreland

provincesprovinces

• There are four provinces in Ireland.

Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster. The largest province is Munster.

WildlifeWildlife

There are no snakes in Ireland. The only reptile There are no snakes in Ireland. The only reptile in Ireland is the common lizard.in Ireland is the common lizard.

ReligionReligion

88.4% Roman Catholic88.4% Roman Catholic 2.95% church of Ireland (Anglican)2.95% church of Ireland (Anglican) 0.53% Presbyterian0.53% Presbyterian 0.26% Methodist0.26% Methodist Less than 0.05% JewishLess than 0.05% Jewish

InformationInformation

Capital: DublinCapital: Dublin Largest city: BelfastLargest city: Belfast Population: 6,000,000Population: 6,000,000 People: TravellerPeople: Traveller

LegendLegend

• According to According to legend if you kiss a legend if you kiss a Blarney stone you Blarney stone you will have good will have good luck.luck.

Blarney CastleBlarney Castle

Banshees curseBanshees curse The Ban Sidhe (Banshee)The Ban Sidhe (Banshee)

If your surname begins with O' , If your surname begins with O' , Mc' or Mac' you may have your Mc' or Mac' you may have your very own family harbinger of very own family harbinger of death. The ban sidhe is always death. The ban sidhe is always female and can be heard wailing female and can be heard wailing in the hours of darkness. If you in the hours of darkness. If you hear the unearthly cry likened to hear the unearthly cry likened to a child or a cat's rest assured the a child or a cat's rest assured the death will not be your own. The death will not be your own. The warning is that a family member warning is that a family member is close to death. The ban sidhe is close to death. The ban sidhe is a shy creature. She can take is a shy creature. She can take the form of a bent over tortured the form of a bent over tortured hag wrapped in rags or that of a hag wrapped in rags or that of a beautiful young woman but the beautiful young woman but the cry and the long flowing hair are cry and the long flowing hair are the same. My granda told of the same. My granda told of such an old woman who fortold such an old woman who fortold of the loss of 300 men on the of the loss of 300 men on the 14th Dec 1811 when the British 14th Dec 1811 when the British warship warship HMS HMS SaldanhaSaldanha was shipwrecked was shipwrecked. .

Irish BlessingIrish Blessing Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow

of a treeof a treeLive mystical, magical leprechaunsLive mystical, magical leprechaunswho are clever as can be who are clever as can be With their pointed ears, and turned up toes With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of greenand little coats of greenThe leprechauns busily make their shoes The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen Only those who really believe have seen these little elves these little elves And if we are all believersAnd if we are all believersWe can surely see for ourselves.We can surely see for ourselves.(Irish Blessing)(Irish Blessing)

When Irish eyes are smiling,When Irish eyes are smiling,Tis like a morn in spring.Tis like a morn in spring.

With a lilt of Irish laughterWith a lilt of Irish laughterYou can hear the angels singYou can hear the angels singWhen Irish hearts are happyWhen Irish hearts are happy

All the world is bright and gayAll the world is bright and gayWhen Irish eyes are smilingWhen Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away. Sure, they steal your heart away.

May your

blessings

outnumber

The shamrocks

that grow,

And may trouble

avoid you

Wherever you

go.

These things I warmly wish to

you-Someone to love

Some work to do

A bit o' sunA bit o' cheer

And a guardian angel always

near.

LeprechaunsLeprechauns

Leprechauns are Leprechauns are Irish fairies taking Irish fairies taking the appearance of the appearance of a miniature old a miniature old men, about two men, about two feet tall. They are feet tall. They are known to live in known to live in remote places.remote places.

Fairies

• Fairies are said to be those left from the ancient “ Tuathade-Dannans” who once ruled Ireland. They are friendly and spend their time making music and feasting.

St. PatrickSt. PatrickPatrick lived in the 5th Century but exactly where he was born is unknown but it is thought Patrick lived in the 5th Century but exactly where he was born is unknown but it is thought

he came from Britain somewhere near the sea. His father Calpurnius was an important he came from Britain somewhere near the sea. His father Calpurnius was an important man in his area who made sure laws were kept and taxes paid. He had many servants. It man in his area who made sure laws were kept and taxes paid. He had many servants. It was a Christian household and Patrick had a comfortable life.Many ships crossed the Irish was a Christian household and Patrick had a comfortable life.Many ships crossed the Irish sea to trade and there was also pirates who raided the coast of Britain. Just before his sea to trade and there was also pirates who raided the coast of Britain. Just before his 16th birthday Patrick was captured with many others, tied up and taken away to Ireland 16th birthday Patrick was captured with many others, tied up and taken away to Ireland He was sold and ended up working on farms. It was a hard life and quite a change from He was sold and ended up working on farms. It was a hard life and quite a change from his easy childhood. In his loneliness he turned to God for comfort. He felt he had not been his easy childhood. In his loneliness he turned to God for comfort. He felt he had not been a good enough Christian before. Patrick started to have visions and felt that God had a good enough Christian before. Patrick started to have visions and felt that God had chosen him to carry out important work. One night he heard a voice saying "Your ship is chosen him to carry out important work. One night he heard a voice saying "Your ship is ready" Although he had been in slavery for six years he had never tried to escape. But ready" Although he had been in slavery for six years he had never tried to escape. But now the voice was so compelling he started on a 200 mile journey to Irelands east coast. now the voice was so compelling he started on a 200 mile journey to Irelands east coast. He eventually arrived at the sea and there before him was a ship about to leave. He asked He eventually arrived at the sea and there before him was a ship about to leave. He asked for passage but the captain refused. Patrick left the ship and began to pray. The captain for passage but the captain refused. Patrick left the ship and began to pray. The captain began to have second thoughts thinking bad luck would befall the ship and called for began to have second thoughts thinking bad luck would befall the ship and called for Patrick to join them. The journey took three days and by the time they reached their Patrick to join them. The journey took three days and by the time they reached their destination they whole crew including the captain came to  admire Patrick and left with destination they whole crew including the captain came to  admire Patrick and left with him, they had many adventures. Eventually Patrick arrived home and his family were him, they had many adventures. Eventually Patrick arrived home and his family were delighted to have him back. But Patrick was very different from the boy who had left.  He delighted to have him back. But Patrick was very different from the boy who had left.  He still had vivid dreams and in one a voice he knew to be the people of Ireland called "Holy still had vivid dreams and in one a voice he knew to be the people of Ireland called "Holy boy, we ask you to come back and walk among us".  it is believed Patrick went to France boy, we ask you to come back and walk among us".  it is believed Patrick went to France for further religious training. Ireland was ruled by about 100 chieftains and kings who for further religious training. Ireland was ruled by about 100 chieftains and kings who were heavily influenced by druids. Patrick challenged the druids and using only the power were heavily influenced by druids. Patrick challenged the druids and using only the power of love he won over many of them who listened to his teaching. Thousands flocked to him of love he won over many of them who listened to his teaching. Thousands flocked to him during his travels throughout Ireland, they were a simple people and Patrick's simple during his travels throughout Ireland, they were a simple people and Patrick's simple message of Gods love won their hearts. Patrick is said to have  used the three leafed message of Gods love won their hearts. Patrick is said to have  used the three leafed Shamrock as a way of explaining that although there was only one God there were three Shamrock as a way of explaining that although there was only one God there were three divine beings, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. divine beings, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. CroaghCroagh Patrick Patrick is one is one of the places he is said to have visited and spent 40 days and nights on the summit of the places he is said to have visited and spent 40 days and nights on the summit praying and fasting. It is traditional to make a pilgrimage to the top of the mountain and praying and fasting. It is traditional to make a pilgrimage to the top of the mountain and thousands gather every "last Sunday in July" to make the climb. Although there were thousands gather every "last Sunday in July" to make the climb. Although there were some Christians in Ireland before Patrick it was his work that eventually converted the some Christians in Ireland before Patrick it was his work that eventually converted the whole island to Christianity.  It is also said he drove all the snakes form Ireland Many whole island to Christianity.  It is also said he drove all the snakes form Ireland Many parts of Ireland claim Patrick as their own but he is said to have died on March 17th and parts of Ireland claim Patrick as their own but he is said to have died on March 17th and is buried in Downpatrick. Ireland has since sent many missionaries world-wide helping to is buried in Downpatrick. Ireland has since sent many missionaries world-wide helping to further Patrick's message. Her people have helped fill the world with song, further Patrick's message. Her people have helped fill the world with song, poetry, literature, dance and music and descendants. Wherever they went they celebrated poetry, literature, dance and music and descendants. Wherever they went they celebrated the 17th of March, Saint Patrick's Day.the 17th of March, Saint Patrick's Day.

This Place Called IrelandThis Place Called Ireland

"So peaceful and calmly this place it seems to be, "So peaceful and calmly this place it seems to be, Yet I stare at it sadly for its thru a picture I see, Yet I stare at it sadly for its thru a picture I see, this land far,far away from mine this land far,far away from mine I watch the clock in patient time I watch the clock in patient time for someday soon I'll touch the sand for someday soon I'll touch the sand of this calm place called Ireland. of this calm place called Ireland.     I can hear the Atlantic pounding so hard I can hear the Atlantic pounding so hard I can see the sun set by a still grave yard. I can see the sun set by a still grave yard. I can feel the mist of a small seaport. I can feel the mist of a small seaport. I can feel the awe of Powerscourt*. I can feel the awe of Powerscourt*.     I can feel the releif of the dew-settled field I can feel the releif of the dew-settled field that in due time its crops will yield. that in due time its crops will yield. I can hear the wolves crying out on the moor. I can hear the wolves crying out on the moor. I can taste the taste of the streams so pure I can taste the taste of the streams so pure So, someday soon, (I'm hoping) I'll be able to stand, So, someday soon, (I'm hoping) I'll be able to stand, and say I've finally made it to this place called Ireland." and say I've finally made it to this place called Ireland."     Copyright Copyright ©© Chantal O'Connor Chantal O'Connor

Maps and picturesMaps and pictures

Insults in IrishInsults in Irish

Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde the master of the insult was being given flowers from fans the master of the insult was being given flowers from fans on the first night of one of his plays. One of his rivals gave him a rotten on the first night of one of his plays. One of his rivals gave him a rotten cabbage:cabbage:"Thank you my dear fellow," says Oscar, "everytime I smell it I shall "Thank you my dear fellow," says Oscar, "everytime I smell it I shall be reminded of you"be reminded of you"

""To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose both To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose both looks like carelessness.looks like carelessness." Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) " Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) The Importance of The Importance of being Earnestbeing Earnest

A notorious bore once commented to A notorious bore once commented to Oscar WildeOscar Wilde that he had passed that he had passed Oscar's house that day: Oscar replied Oscar's house that day: Oscar replied "Oh, thank you so much.""Oh, thank you so much."

Oscar defined a cynic as Oscar defined a cynic as "The man who knows the price of everything and the value of "The man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing"nothing"

Oscar described the English country gentleman galloping after a foxOscar described the English country gentleman galloping after a fox"The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable""The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable"