IRELAND

• The Republic of Ireland occupies about five-sixths of the total area of Ireland
• The rest of the island is occupied by Northern Ireland.

 

Consists

The Republic of Ireland consists of four provinces: ULSTER, MUNSTER, LEINSTER, CONNAUGHT and 26 counties (the most famous Tipperary)

 

Surface

Most of the island is a central plain ® West and south – mountains. East – lowlands

 

River

• The longest river is the Shannon river. The longest river in the Birtish Isles.
• Forms many important lakes

 

Nature

The seacoast is wild and beautiful. Cliffs of Moher are probably the most exciting place around the shore.

 

Climate

• The climate is temperate : Winters are mild, Summers are cool, There is heavy rainfall.
• Ireland is also known as The Emerald Isle.

 

Cities

The capital city is Dublin(more than 1 million inhabitants)

OTHER MAJOR CITIES: CORK, KILLARNEY, LIMERICK, WATERFORD, GALWAY

 

History

• The first inhabitants were wise DRUIDS (they kept all the knowledge of their society)
• 3OO B.C. – Ireland was conquered by the Celts from France called GAELS. They brought their language to Ireland.
• Their capital was called TARA

 

St. Patrick

• Patrick was a priest
• He was British and later he was captured and taken to Ireland
• He converted people to Christianity
• He taught people in Ireland to read and write
• He is the Saint patron of Ireland
• He used shamrock to explain the principle of the Trinity (Holy Son, Holy Father and Holy Spirit)

 

St. Patrick’s day

• Is celebrated all over the world by Irish people and not only them
• People wear green colour, paint their faces green, paint or wear shamrocks on their faces, do parades, eat Irish or green meals, drink beer and paint the rivers and fountains green.
• It is celebrated 17th March, the day when St. Patrick died.

 

Historic people

HENRY VIII – He took the title KING OF IRELAND

– Imposed Protestant religion on the country

WILLIAM OF ORANGE – During his reign, the  religious persecution increased  (Catholics had no right to vote, trade, be educated or own land).

 

 

1801

• The ACT OF UNION – it joined the Irish Parliament to the Parliament of Great Britain where no Catholics were allowed to sit.
• This was achieved mostly thanks to Daniel O´Connell – the „uncrowned King of Ireland“.

 

1845

• Great Famine hit Ireland
• It lasted for four years
• The population was reduced from over 8 million to about 4.5 million (due to starvation, deseases and mass emigration)

 

Sinn Féin movement

• It started in Ireland in 1899
• It means „We Ourselves“
• At first they supported passive resistance to British rule
• Later it organized an army called IRA – Irish Republican Army – radicals responsible for various bomb attacks

 

1916

• IRA organised a rebellion in Dublin on EASTER MONDAY
• They proclaimed the Irish Republic
• The rebels surrendered at the end and leaders were executed.

 

Gaining independence

• In 1921 – a treaty giving Ireland dominion status was signed.
• In 1922 – the Irish Free State consisting of 26 Catholic counties came into existence as well as Northern Ireland consisting of 6 Protestant counties of Ulster.

 

Population and languages

• The population is about 4.5 million people
• They speak two languages : English and Irish Gaeli

 

Political systém

• It´s a parliamentary democractic constitutional republic
• The head of the state is the President – elected for 7 years (directly by people)
• He is advised by a Council of State
• He appoints members of the Government
• The Government is responsible the the House of Representatives. HR + Senate form the National Parliament.

 

National flag

• It´s a tricolor with vertical stripes of green, white and orange
• Green – symbolizes the Emerald Isle and the Catholic majority
• White – expresses the need for peace and understanding between Catholics and Protestants
• Orange – the colour of Protestants

 

Economy

• Primarily agricultural country (beef, dairy products)
• Irish is famous for its Irish linen, whisky and beer
• Important areas are also light engineering, synthetic fabrics and electronics.
• Tourism is also very important.

 

Traditional Irish music

• Molly Malone – the unofficial Dublin anthem