The British Isles Ireland and Great Britain Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. Ireland: Northen Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Ireland: Northen Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Physical division British Isles Great Britain EnglandScotlandWales Ireland Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland

Political division British Isles United Kingdom ScotlandEnglandWales Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland

Capitals LONDON: United Kingdom and England LONDON: United Kingdom and England CARDIFF: Wales CARDIFF: Wales EDINBURGH: Scotland EDINBURGH: Scotland BELFAST: Northern Ireland BELFAST: Northern Ireland DUBLIN: Republic of Ireland DUBLIN: Republic of Ireland

CURRENCIES UK : sterling pound. UK : sterling pound. The pound is divided into 100 pence. The pound is divided into 100 pence. Republic of Ireland:the Republic of Ireland:the euro. It is divided into euro. It is divided into 100 cents. 100 cents.

In a shop How much is it? How much is it? It’s € 2,50 (two euros fifty) It’s € 2,50 (two euros fifty) How much are they? How much are they? They’re € 10,80 (ten euros eighty) They’re € 10,80 (ten euros eighty) How much does it cost? It costs ……… How much does it cost? It costs ……… How much do they cost? They cost …… How much do they cost? They cost ……

Republic of Ireland profile Celtic name: Eire Celtic name: Eire Nickname: Emerald Isle Nickname: Emerald Isle Location: north-west of Europe Location: north-west of Europe Population: 4,600,000 Population: 4,600,000 Currency: euro Currency: euro Religion: Catholicism (95%) Religion: Catholicism (95%) Capital: Dublin Capital: Dublin Main cities: Galway, Cork Main cities: Galway, Cork Drive on the left Drive on the left Patron Saint: Saint Patrick – 17° March Patron Saint: Saint Patrick – 17° March National emblem: shamrock National emblem: shamrock Languages: English, Gaelic Languages: English, Gaelic

Government Parliamentary Republic President of the Republic: Michael D. Higgins Prime Minister (Taoiseach): Enda Kenny Indipendence from the UK: 1921 Constitution: : left the Commonwealth 1955: entered the United Nations 1973: Entered the European Union

The president Ninth President of Ireland Ninth President of Ireland Elected in 2011 Elected in 2011 Politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster Politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster Labour party Labour party Born in 1941 Born in 1941 The president is elected every seven years directly by the people, for a maximum of two terms. The president is elected every seven years directly by the people, for a maximum of two terms.

Prime Minister Born in 1951 Born in 1951 Fine Gael politician Fine Gael politician Elected in 2011 Elected in 2011 Term of office lasts five years Term of office lasts five years

Counties of Ireland Ireland is divided into 34 counties, consisting of 29 country councils and 5 city councils. Carlow county is the number 7.

Main cities

The Patron Saint

The leprechaun Legendary creature: sprite, pixie, fairy. Legendary creature: sprite, pixie, fairy. He makes or mends shoes He makes or mends shoes He likes playing jokes He likes playing jokes They are in Harry Potter books, but not in Harry Potter films. They are the mascots of the Irish quidditch team. They are in Harry Potter books, but not in Harry Potter films. They are the mascots of the Irish quidditch team. He wears a green hat, a green jacket, a green waistcoat, green trousers and pointed shoes He wears a green hat, a green jacket, a green waistcoat, green trousers and pointed shoes He is small and short. He is small and short. He has got red hair and a red beard. He has got red hair and a red beard.

The Celtic Cross A combination of a cross and the sun A combination of a cross and the sun According to a legend it was introduced by Saint Patrick. According to a legend it was introduced by Saint Patrick. Meaning: the importance of the cross enlightened by the sun, or the importance of the Christian Cross over the pagan sun? Meaning: the importance of the cross enlightened by the sun, or the importance of the Christian Cross over the pagan sun?

The shamrock Young clover or trefoil. Young clover or trefoil. Used by Saint Patrick as the metaphor of the Trinity. Used by Saint Patrick as the metaphor of the Trinity. Another legend was that St. Patrick planted shamrocks all over Ireland to chase away the snakes. It is said that wherever there is trefoil there are no snakes. Is that true? Who knows? But we know that there are no snakes in Ireland Another legend was that St. Patrick planted shamrocks all over Ireland to chase away the snakes. It is said that wherever there is trefoil there are no snakes. Is that true? Who knows? But we know that there are no snakes in Ireland the four-leaf-clover is a variation of the three-leaf clover and it is said to bring luck. Each leaf represents something: faith, hope, love and luck. the four-leaf-clover is a variation of the three-leaf clover and it is said to bring luck. Each leaf represents something: faith, hope, love and luck. there are approximately 10,000 three- leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. there are approximately 10,000 three- leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover.

The Celtic Harp Coat or arms: a gold harp with silver strings on a blue background. It is the national emblem because of its use in story telling. In the time of the Celtic Chieftains, those who played the harp, the bards, were held in high esteem.

Carlow profile Celtic name: Ceatharloch Celtic name: Ceatharloch Location: County Carlow, south-east of Dublin (84 km) Location: County Carlow, south-east of Dublin (84 km) Population: 23,000 people Population: 23,000 people River: Barrow River: Barrow Award: the cleanest Irish city in 2010 Award: the cleanest Irish city in 2010

Carlow highlights Carlow Castle is an early 13th century Norman castle and is one of the oldest stone castles in Ireland and was built during the first wave of Normal invaders. All that remains today is the wall and two circular towers. Carlow Castle is an early 13th century Norman castle and is one of the oldest stone castles in Ireland and was built during the first wave of Normal invaders. All that remains today is the wall and two circular towers. The Browneshill Dolmen is a portal tomb dating from c.3300 – 2900 B.C. The capstone is the largest to be found in Europe. It has been calculated to weigh over 100 tons. The Browneshill Dolmen is a portal tomb dating from c.3300 – 2900 B.C. The capstone is the largest to be found in Europe. It has been calculated to weigh over 100 tons.

The Cathedral Assunption of Blessed Virgin Mary Assunption of Blessed Virgin Mary Architect: Thomas Cobden Architect: Thomas Cobden First half of the XIX century First half of the XIX century Belltower: 46 metres high Belltower: 46 metres high

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