IRELAND Land, People and History

Geography, Land and Environment “ Ireland ”– different meanings “ Ireland ”– different meanings Northern Ireland (Ulster) – part of the UK Northern Ireland (Ulster) – part of the UK the Republic of Ireland (Eire) – independent nation the Republic of Ireland (Eire) – independent nation Location, size, climate, geographical elevations, flora and fauna Location, size, climate, geographical elevations, flora and fauna “ Emerald Isle ” “ Emerald Isle ” Environmental issues Environmental issues

Geographical features: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hill and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Geographical features: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hill and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Climate: temperate maritime Climate: temperate maritime

Macgillicuddy's Reeks Located in southwest Ireland, the mountain range known as Macgillicuddy ’ s Reeks holds the highest peaks in the country. In the northeast, the mountains loom over the picturesque Lakes of Killarney.

Lough Leane, Ireland In southwestern Ireland lie the three Lakes of Killarney. This popular resort area is close to the town of Killarney, in mountainous County Kerry. The largest of the lakes, Lough Leane, shown here, along with Muckross Lake and Upper Lake comprise part of the national park.

Moher Cliffs, Western Ireland The spectacular sea cliffs of Moher on Ireland ’ s western coast rise to more than 200 m (600 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs provide habitat for many kinds of seabirds.

Ireland's Green County Kerry

Rocky Outpost

Ireland's Aran Islands

Galway Bay

Sunset on a Killarney Lake

Where the Shannon Reaches the Sea

Rugged Dingle Peninsula

Rock Garden of The Burren

County Donegal's Errigal Mountain

Capital: Dublin Capital: Dublin Dublin, Republic of Ireland Dublin figures prominently in Irish history, having been under Danish and British control before suffering through some of the most brutal battles of the Irish rebellion and revolution in the early 20th century. The Liffey River, shown here, flows through the city, now the capital of the Republic of Ireland. The old section of the city is situated on the river ’ s southern bank and features the Four Courts building, center. The 18th-century building is the seat of the republic’s high courts.

Population The Great Famine The Great Famine Emigration Emigration present population situation present population situation a complex society with a distinctive culture a complex society with a distinctive culture

People of Ireland Population4,062,235 (2006 estimate) Population density 59 persons per sq km 153 persons per sq mi (2006 estimate) Urban population distribution60 percent (2003 estimate) Rural population distribution40 percent (2003 estimate) Largest cities, with population Dublin, 495,781 (2002) Cork, 123,062 (2002) Galway, 65,832 (2002) Official languagesIrish, English Chief religious affiliations Roman Catholic, 85 percent Church of Ireland (Anglican), 4 percent Protestant, 1 percent Life expectancy77.7 years (2006 estimate) Infant mortality rate5 deaths per 1,000 live births (2006 estimate) Literacy rate98 percent (1995)

History Prehistory Prehistory middle Stone Age — earliest settlers (hunters) middle Stone Age — earliest settlers (hunters) new Stone Age — farmers new Stone Age — farmers Bronze Age (2000BC) — prospectors and metalworkers (1200BC)(sophisticated weapons &artifacts) (1200BC)(sophisticated weapons &artifacts)

Traditional Irish Farmhouse This house sits on the water in Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands located off the western coast of Ireland. Known for the maintenance of their Gaelic traditions, the rugged fishing villages of the Aran Islands have remained, in many ways, unchanged over the centuries. Many inhabitants still speak Gaelic, adhere to their folk culture, and fish using the traditional methods of their ancestors.

The Celts The Celts Invasion of the Celts Invasion of the Celts warrior culture warrior culture most long-lasting influence: the language (Irish) most long-lasting influence: the language (Irish) social and cultural unity of the island social and cultural unity of the island the Brehon law (stressing family group) the Brehon law (stressing family group) social stratification social stratification

Learning Gaelic Young students prepare to answer questions at Moy School in Lahinch, Ireland, where most subjects are taught in Irish Gaelic. Gaelic language schools have contributed to a minor revival of Irish Gaelic, a once-widespread Celtic tongue that is now spoken by less than 20 percent of the Irish population.

The Coming of Christianity The Coming of Christianity Saint Patrick Saint Patrick monastery and Irish monks monastery and Irish monks Irish influence on Britain and Europe Irish influence on Britain and Europe

The Middle Ages The Middle Ages Viking Raids in the 9th and 10th centuries Viking Raids in the 9th and 10th centuries trading developed, major towns formed trading developed, major towns formed period of progress in the 11th and 12th centuries: arts, religious reforms, strong centralized monarchy period of progress in the 11th and 12th centuries: arts, religious reforms, strong centralized monarchy Norman Invasion in Norman Invasion in English king in Ireland from 1171 English king in Ireland from 1171 centralized administration following England centralized administration following England cultural identity maintained cultural identity maintained

Early Modern Period Early Modern Period English monarchs ’ reconquest English monarchs ’ reconquest — against Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Norman lords — against Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Norman lords promotion of Protestantism in Ireland resisted promotion of Protestantism in Ireland resisted

The 18th Century The 18th Century Roman Catholics ’ attempts to regain English throne — a severe code of penal legislation Roman Catholics ’ attempts to regain English throne — a severe code of penal legislation independent Irish parliament independent Irish parliament inspirations from the French Revolution inspirations from the French Revolution reforms and repression reforms and repression

Modern Ireland Modern Ireland no parliament from 1801 no parliament from 1801 Irish Potato Famine Irish Potato Famine struggles for Home Rule struggles for Home Rule

Irish leaders: Irish leaders: Isaac Butt — Home Rule Isaac Butt — Home Rule Michael Davitt — National Land League Michael Davitt — National Land League Charles Stuart Parnell — Home Rule party Charles Stuart Parnell — Home Rule party Arthur Griffith — Sinn Fein Arthur Griffith — Sinn Fein Patrick Pearse — Irish Volunteers Patrick Pearse — Irish Volunteers James Connolly — Irish Citizen Army James Connolly — Irish Citizen Army

Arthur Griffith In 1902 Irish journalist Arthur Griffith founded a group that later became the nucleus of the Irish nationalist society Sinn Fein ( “ we ourselves ” ). Griffith negotiated the treaty partitioning Ireland into Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, formerly É ire.

Damage from Easter Rebellion Irish rebels occupied the post office, left, and other buildings during the 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin, Ireland. During the week-long armed uprising, which demanded an end to British rule in Ireland, some 200 buildings were destroyed and many British soldiers and Irish fighters were wounded.

The Easter Rising of 1916 The Easter Rising of 1916 The War of Independence The War of Independence The Anglo-Irish Treaty The Anglo-Irish Treaty Irish Free State Irish Free State