Ireland

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Ireland

a lesson about "the green isle" 

What do you know about Ireland?

Northern Ireland is a separate country (since 1922) and is part of the United Kingdom. 

There are four provinces on the island. The Northern province, Ulster, consists of Northern Ireland (a separate country) and three Irish counties. 

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland. 

28% of the entire Irish population lives in Dublin!

The Wild Rover - The Dubliners

Irish people love to sing, and Irish music is very popular around the world. It has a typical sound and is usually very suitable for a singalong in a pub. Listen to The Wild Rover and you'll see what we mean. 

Ireland: basic facts

• Ireland is a republic
• capital city: Dublin
• languages: English and Gaelic Irish
• currency: Euro
• Inhabitants: almost 4.8 million
• 1.35 million live in Dublin (28% of entire population!)
  

national symbols

The harp is also a very important Irish symbol. In fact, it was so Irish, the British feared it would spark nationalism. Therefore, they banned all harps from the land - and executed all harp players!

The 'shamrock' is Ireland's most important symbol. Its three leaves stand for the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost), linking it to St. Patrick.

Ireland, as Britain, has a lively 'pub culture'. The most famous Irish drink is Guinness, a stout beer.

Legend has it that in Ireland, at the end of a rainbow, you will find a pot of gold.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/

There are lots of sheep in Ireland. Irish woolen jumpers are a typical product you will find in tourist shops.

The tricolor Irish flag represents:

• Green: the Catholics
• Orange: the Protestants
• White: the peace between them/ hope for unity
  

Catholicism is the main religion in the Republic of Ireland.

This bird is called a 'puffin'  (papegaaiduiker). You'll find them mostly on the Atlantic coast. 

The little ginger men with green clothes are called Leprechauns. They are some sort of fairy, always up to misschief!

St. Patrick's Day or Paddy's Day   

17th of March

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world!

(and nowadays, it's mostly about drinking...)

Saint Patrick

Find out why the Irish celebrate this legendary figure. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/

Legend has it that the reason there are no snakes in Ireland, is because St. Patrick drove them all into the sea!

3

St. Patrick is the PATRON SAINT (patroonheilige; een soort religieuze mascotte) of Ireland. 

1

St. Patrick lived during the 4th and 5th century.

2

He was originally from Wales, but was kidnapped by Irish pirates when he was 16. He was brought to Ireland to work as a slave. He escaped back to Britain after six years.

4

Ireland has been a Catholic nation ever since. Protestants came much later, when Britain sent Scottish lords to Ireland in an attempt to tame the wild country. 

6

To this day, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide on the 17th of March. 

7

He returned to Ireland when he grew up, where he became a bishop and spread the Catholic faith. 

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QUIZ TIME!

get ready

What do the orange and green in the Irish flag stand for?

What percentage of the Irish population lives in Dublin?

1. 2%
2. 12%
3. 28%
4. 44%

Ireland has more inhabitants than The Netherlands.

1. true
2. false

Why does the shamrock have 3 leaves?

1. It looks better as a logo
2. It represents the Holy Trinity

Which animals, according to legend, did St. Patrick drive into the sea?

1. seals
2. cats
3. snakes
4. armadillos

What are national symbols of Ireland

1. shamrock
2. harp
3. colour green
4. all of these

"Ulster" is the same as "Northern Ireland"

1. True
2. False

"the fastest game on grass"

(and it's over 3,000 years old!)

Watch the clip and prepare to answer a question.

As a Hurling player, can you play at any club you choose?

1. Yes, as you get better, you can play at better clubs
2. No, you play for the team of the county you were born in

What did you learn today?

next time: 

HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

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