A tour of Ireland Eva Martínez García  Ireland  Basic facts  History  Culture  Places to visit. Dublin. Possible trips

1.Where is Ireland? Divided by two political entities:  Republic of Ireland. Capital: Dublin.  Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Capital: Belfast. The western island of Great Britain

2. Basic facts:  Island’s area: 84,412 square kilometers  4 provinces  32 counties 26 in the Republic 6 in Northern Ireland  6 million population approx. 4.25m in the Republic 1.7m in Dublin area 1.75m in Northern Ireland 0.6m in Belfast area

 The flag of Ireland: green, white and orange. The green for Catholics The orange for Protestants, The white for the hope for peace between both.  The official currency: the Euro. On the back it can be seen the harp, a symbol of Ireland.  Two languages: English and Gaelic-Irish.

3. A Brief History of Ireland  Origins: The Celtic People (-1000 B.C.)  It was never part of the Roman Empire (called Hibernia).  5 th Century: the coming of Christianity (by St. Patrick)  Early medieval times: independent kingdom.  9 th Century: viking invasions. They founded Dublin.  Anglo-Norman invasion occurs.  English Rule  The Great Famine : 1.5 million Irish people died, and many million migrated.  The War of Independence and Partition of the country  The Irish Civil War  Northern Ireland ruled from Belfast, Republic ruled from Dublin.  1969: beginning of troubles between Catholic and Protestant people. Ulster governed from London.  1998: peace process for Ulster.

 Music  Symbols Green colour Harp Shamrock Leprechaun Celtic symbols 4. Culture, traditions, symbols

 Sports. “National Sports”: Hurling Gaelic football  Food: Irish stew

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY Saint Patrick made Irish people become Christian in the fifth century. He is the patron of Ireland and Saint Patrick’s Day (17th March) is the Irish National Holiday The typical celebrations include street parades. The Dublin Street Parade is the most popular one. The descendants of Irish emigrants in the United States of America, New Zealand and Australia also celebrate it.

5. Places to visit DUBLIN Trinity College

One day trip North: Belfast Giant´s causeway

Center: Glendalough Megalithic monuments

West: Cliffs of Moher Galway Bunraty Castle

Would you like to visit Ireland?