Ireland - island Havel Jan

Main informations Location: The west one of British islands Main city: Dublin Currency: Pounds Flag: Government: Republic Population: 6 million (2006) Main language: English

History First intelligent humans that lived on this land came in the 6th millennium before Christ. It was Celts and Their buildings kept to present – mounds and etc. In the 1st millennium after Christ there was Christians. - There was many kingdoms, big and small and there was a conflict between each other. - In 432 first Ireland bishop saint Patric had merit in pacific Christianity. In the 16th century began the dynasty of Tudors – Henry VIII and his successors. In 1922 Ireland became independent. In 1949 Ireland became Republic.

Historical buildings /\ Celt‘s graveyard /\ Celt‘s megalithic tomb Cashel castle >

Legends The children of Lir One of the best known legends concerns the four children of King Lir  whose jealous stepmother had them turned into swans for 400 years The  sentence is now long passed and the four died as ancient humans but to this  day it is illegal to kill swans in Ireland.

The Ireland have a many beautiful legends in which are interesting creatures as elves, fairies, imps, trolls, dragons, goblins, ents and many else.

Culture Much of the Irish calendar still today reflects the old pagan customs, with later Christian traditions also having significant influence. As in other countries, the date for observing Christmas was deliberately chosen to coincide with the winter solstice. Christmas in Ireland has several local traditions and some in no way connected with Christianity. Ireland is well supplied with museums and art galleries and offers, especially during the summer months, a wide range of cultural events.

Holydays Holydays 17th March – st. Patrick's day - Worship of st. Patrick, who served Christianity to Ireland. 1st May - Lanoun Day 31st October – Halloween 5th November - Guy Fawkes's Day - Peoples have a turkey and giving Fawkes.

Nature In Irish land is a beautiful nature. They have a lot of green plains with small stones and nice villages and some swamps but too little. They have a very much and large forests. And this nature is a base for their legends.

Ireland plains

Ireland forests

Ireland villages

Sports Ireland has many interesting sports such us Gallic football, hurling and camogie. Ireland has water sports too. In 1996 swimmer Michelle Smith  gained three gold medals and one bronze medal on Olympics in Atlanta. In formula 1 grand prix had Ireland one good driver - Eddie Irvin. The other popular sports in Ireland are hunting, fishing, gun sports and horse ride sports.

Industry Industry have in Ireland a domain post and 29% citizens works there. Agriculture Main posts are keeping livestock and milk industry. Fishing – Ireland have about 1 400 fishing boats. - Production is about 35 000 tons.

Education system Start school age is 6 years. Primary Education - there are more than 3 200 primary schools. Secondary Education - there are more than 768 secondary schools. - 370 000 students study there. Courses High Education - In Ireland are four universities: University of Dublin (Trinity College), National University of Ireland - NUI, University of Limerick and Dublin City University. - 100 000 students study there.

The end