IRELAND Mrs. Coxwell

Ireland’s Landscape  Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle” because of its green meadows and tree covered hills.  Bogs-Low Swampy lands  Peat-Wet ground that has decaying plants (that can be used for fuel.)  Coast of Ireland: Rocky highlands.

Ireland’s Climate  Mild Climate: Warmed by moist wind that blows from the North Atlantic Current.  Climate allows Ireland to stay green all year.

Ireland’s Economy  Few natural resources. Ireland has rich soil and relies on farming (Potatoes)  Industry is growing- Machinery and transportation equipment.

Ireland’s People  Trace their ancestors to Celts and English  Official languages are Gaelic and English.

What about the Celts…  Native people of Ireland  Lived in tribes  Warrior type people.  Believed in many Gods.  Druids were chief religious leaders.

And the Druids  Druids were the Celts priests, teachers, and judges.  They instructed young men and oversaw sacrifices.  Helped warriors in battle.  Lost their function as priests when Christianity came to Ireland.

Saint Patrick  Born in Wales AD 385.  Considered himself a pagan until the age of 16.  At 16 he was sold as a slave. He escaped after 6 years. Went to Gaul (France)  He studied in a monastery under Bishop Germaine (Who later became a Saint)  Patrick wanted to go back to Ireland to convert Celts to Christianity.

Saint Patrick continued…  Patrick was actually the second bishop to go to Ireland (1 st, Saint Palladius who was transferred to Scotland)  He was very successful in winning converts. This made the Druids upset.  His mission lasted thirty years. He retired to the County of Down.  He died on March 17, 461.

Truth and Fiction about Saint Patrick  Legend has it that Saint Patrick gave a sermon on a hillside that got rid of all of the snakes of Ireland.  Scientist say that this is false because snakes were never a native to Ireland.

Shamrocks?  Patrick did use Shamrocks in his teachings to show the Holy Trinity.  He taught that each leaf of the shamrock represented the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. All are separate and yet they make up one.

Leprechauns  Leprechauns are the fairies of Ireland.  Their name comes from an Irish word meaning “shoemaker.”  They are mischievous.  They have a pot of gold that mortals can have if they are lucky enough to catch them (Leprechauns).

Ireland Today  It is part of the European Union.  1990 elected 1 st female president  56% of population lives in cities.  1/3 of population lives in Dublin (capital)  Favorite sports: Soccer and Hurling (Field hockey)