Green for the Native Catholic People, Orange for the supporters of Northern Ireland – Protestant and White for the peace between the 2 Ireland

On what continent is Ireland? Europe

The “Emerald Isle” Facts Capital – Dublin – 1/3 of population live here Size – 27,132 sq. miles 302 n-s 171 e-w Population – 4.2 million, this is half of what it was 150 years ago. Slightly more then the Seattle Metro Area Land – Island with rolling green hills. Frequently overcast. Mild weather The island used to be densely populated with trees until the 17th century when most of the trees were cut down. They are only now beginning to rebuild the forests. Money – Euro Language – English and Gaelic Exports – machinery, computers, animals Imports – data processing equipment chemicals, petroleum textiles and clothing

Potato Famine 1845-1849 Irish people relied a lot on potatoes to survive In 1845 it is said to be the ONLY food eaten by 9 out of 10 people. Potatoes in Ireland, and Europe, developed a disease called late blight Irish population was reduced by up to 25% due to death and immigration By 1847, the blight was gone, but due to limited planting of seeds, there were hardly any potatoes grown As food was scarce people would eat anything such as nettles, berries, roots, wildlife, animals, dogs and cats in order to survive.

Blarney Castle Build 1200 AD. Destroyed and rebuilt in 1446. Blarney Stone Piece of bluestone built Into the battlements of the Castle. Kissing the stone Is said to give the person The gift of gab.

English Rule 1171-1921 In 1171, King Henry II of England invaded Ireland and proclaimed himself king of Ireland. This began more than 700 years of English influence in Ireland. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the English tried to force Irish Catholics to give up their religion in favor of Protestantism. The English took property away from Irish Catholics in the north and gave it to Scottish and English Protestants. The English passed laws that prevented Catholics from speaking their language, buying property, voting, practicing their religion, and holding public office. The Irish tried to challenge English rule on a number of occasions, but were never successful in winning back control of their country. In 1801, the Act of Union made Ireland part of the United Kingdom. In 1916, a group of Irish revolutionaries took over the General Post Office and other buildings in Dublin. The rebellion is known as the Easter Rising. The revolutionaries declared Irish independence. But the British government quickly ended the rebellion and executed the leaders. However, this event created an even greater desire for independence among some Irish. Following elections in 1918, a group of elected leaders decided to set up a government in Dublin and once again declared Irish independence. This led to the Anglo-Irish war between 1919 and 1921. When the war ended, 26 southern counties in Ireland were combined to make the new Irish Free State. Six mainly Protestant counties in the north became Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom. Some Irish thought this was a good idea, but others felt strongly that Ireland should be a single independent country. The conflict led to civil war, lasting until 1923. In 1949, the Irish Free State finally broke away completely from the United Kingdom and became the independent Republic of Ireland. The conflict over what should become of Northern Ireland continues to the present day. Many people in Ireland and Northern Ireland want a united Ireland that is entirely independent of the United Kingdom. Others are convinced that Northern Ireland should remain a part of the United Kingdom. Because of centuries of conflict between Ireland and England and between Catholics and Protestants, there are very strong feelings about what should happen. Also, groups on both sides have sometimes used violence to try and get their way. In the process, thousands of people have been killed or injured in shootings and bombings. Although there have been numerous attempts to find a solution that both sides would be happy with, none of these efforts has yet brought lasting peace.

Dublin

St. Patricks Day St. Patrick’s Day (17 Mar.) is Ireland’s national holiday. St. Patrick is the nation’s patron saint. He is credited with introducing Christianity to the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day features street parades in every city. The largest is in Dublin. In honor of St. Patrick, the Irish wear shamrocks (St. Patrick used the shamrock to remind people of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) and organize big feasts.

Life as a Kid The average Irish family has two children, so most kids have just one brother or sister. Although a lot of Irish families now live in cities and towns, kids still like to visit their relatives in the country. Music is an important part of the culture, so many Irish boys and girls grow up learning to play a musical instrument such as the flute, the fiddle, or the piano. Many children also learn Irish dancing and participate in competitions called Feiseanna. Of course, like children in the United States, Irish kids also go to school, play with their friends, watch television, and spend time with their families. Irish kids go to school between the ages of four and fifteen. Primary (elementary) schools are usually either boys’ schools or girls’ schools, but that is starting to change and more schools include both girls and boys. The Catholic Church runs primary schools, but the government decides what will be taught. Irish children study math, reading, writing, science, and music. They must also learn both English and Irish. The government provides free education in primary and secondary schools. University education is free to those who are able to get in.

Sports The Irish love sports. Two popular sports are hurling and Gaelic football. Hurling, which has been played in Ireland for close to 2,000 years, is similar to field hockey. Players use wooden sticks to hit a small leather ball. The women’s version of hurling is called camogie. Gaelic football is like a cross between soccer and rugby. Players can touch the ball with their hands, but they can’t pick it up from the ground. The ball can be punched, kicked, or carried, but not thrown. Teams score by getting the ball between two goalposts, either over or under the crossbar. Soccer, rugby, sailing, cycling, golf, hunting, fishing, shooting, and horse racing are also popular activities.

Animals Dolphin Badger Viviparous Lizard Sheep Grey Squirrel Pipistrelle’s Bat Leisler’s Bat Leisler’s Bat - Leisler's bat - Though no more than a small to medium bat by European standards, the Leisler's is the largest found in Ireland. Pipistrelle’s Bat – competes with pigmy shrew as Ireland smallest creature. Sheep To some people, a sheep is a sheep is a sheep!  But  the experienced eye can identify several different types of sheep in Ireland and many specialist breeds. Different breeds are suited to different areas and sometimes sheep breeders of a particular district will have a favourite breed that has proven its worth in that area.  Sheep are judged by their ability to survive, their ability to produce lambs, their ability to produce wool and, ultimately, their suitability for the table.  

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