1. IRISH IDENTITY TROUGH ITS SYMBOLS
Anna Stegienka
Carmen Arredondo
Susana Garcia
Paco Rios

2. MAIN AIMS To… Find out the most important Irish symbols
Research which symbols Irish people like and dislike.
Learn the meaning of Irish symbols and how people use them in their daily life.
Find out the most important Celtic Legends and people’s knowledge about them
Evaluate the evolution in attitudes of Irish people towards native symbols

3. THE IMPORTANCE OF SYMBOLS
Symbols are used to create national identity
Irish people has had two specific reason which has led them to reinforce the importance of their symbols:
British domination
Emigration

4. OBJECTS USED LIKE SYMBOLS IN IRISH CULTURE AND THEIR MEANINGS
Shamrock: In ancient Ireland the Shamrock was thought to have magical powers. After that, it is said that Saint Patrick used it to explain the Trinity.
Harp: During the early the 16th Century harp was first depicted on Irish coins. That tradition is carried on today and the harp is also used for other official duties such as the Irish state seal, official documents and uniforms
Flag: White colour represents peace between Catholics (green) and Protestants (orange) or between supporters of Gaelic tradition (green) and supporters of William of Orange.

5. OBJECTS USED LIKE SYMBOLS IN IRISH CULTURE AND THEIR MEANINGS (2)
Celtic cross: The legend says that Saint Patrick found a standing stone that was marked with a circle. He marked a cross in the circle to show the union of the old and new ways.
Claddagh ring: It is a wedding ring and it is said that the heart is shown outside to show that the wearer is heart whole.

6. OBJECTS USED LIKE SYMBOLS IN IRISH CULTURE AND THEIR MEANINGS (y 3)
Leprechaun: male fairy, usually taking form of and old man in a green coat. It is said that if you find one, he can lead you to his buried pot of gold.
Guinness is a popular dry stout beer that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness. It is popular with Irish people both in Ireland and abroad. Is the best-selling alcoholic drink of all time in Ireland

7. WHAT IRISH PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SYMBOLS

8. IRISH SYMBOLS IN DAILY LIFE

9. MYTHS AND LEGEND CUCHULAINN
The story of a brave Irish man named Setanta. He change his name to Cuchulainn and offered to guard the Culain’s house because he had killed his hound
THE CHILDREN OF LIR The story about how the four children of the King Lir become Swans because their stepmother put a spell on them
Cuchulainn It belongs to the Ulster cycle and the people of Emain Macha.Cuchulainn is a hero sometimes endowed with superhuman powers and used to play hurling (that’s why there is a Sport TV channel called Setanta)
The former name of Cuchulainn was Setanta but he changed it when he killed the hound of a King’s servant, named Culann, and Setanta offered to guard the Culann’s house himself.
The children of Lir: A king called Lir had four children that were very happy till their mother died. Then Lir got married again to Eva. Eva thought Lir loved their children more than he loved her. So one day Eva brought the children for a swim she put a spell on the children and changed them into swans for 900 years. When Lir knew what happened to the children changed Eva into a demon of the air and he never saw her again. He could not find the four children.

10. OTHER SYMBOLS FROM IRISH CULTURE
Irish traditional sports
Hurling
Gaelic Football
Salmon & Trout Fishing
Irish gaelic language
Irish traditional music and dance

11. CONCLUSION SUGGESTED
The kind of symbols which Irish people have preferred to represent the Irish national identity and the Irish culture have gone changing along the last century from objects to activities