1. The Republic of Ireland Opracowała: Elżbieta Górka

2. Basic facts  Population 4,6 mln  Capital Dublin  Highest point Carrauntoohill  Biggest cities: Dublin Cork Limerick

3. Republic or Northern Ireland Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (five-sixths of the island), and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom (covers the remaining area)

4. Languages of Ireland  Two main languages are spoken in Ireland English and Irish  Some examples of the Gaelic-Irish  Dia duit ar maidin! (Good morning)  Tráthnóna maith duit! (Good evening)

5. History of Irish-English  Irish  Planter English (from 1169)  Irish + English combination

6. Shamrock Symbol of Ireland  The shamrock refers to the young sprigs of clover or trefoil. It is known as a symbol of Ireland, with St. Patrick having used it as a metaphor for the Christian Trinity.

7. Patron of Ireland Saint Patrick  He was a 5th century Christian missionary and bishop of Ireland  Saint Patricks Day is observed on March 17, the date of his death

8. Dublin Capital City The biggest Irish city with the population of 527 612. The city is the administrative, cultural and business centre and the tourist destination.

9. Cork  The name refers to the Irish Corcach Mór Mumhan  It is located on the marshes of the Lee river  The second biggest city with 119,230 inhabitants.

10. Irish Culture  The most famous part of the Irish culture is its folk music and dance  One of best known Irish pop groups is U2 or Sinead O’Connor

11. Irish Literature  The best known Irish writers are:  James Joyes  Jonathon Swift  George B. Shaw  Samuel Beckett  Oscar Wilde  Their best known works are:  Ulysses  Gulliver’s Travels  Pygmalion  Waiting for Godot  The Picture of Dorian Grey

12. Tourist Attractions Giant’s Causeway

13. Tourist Attractions Cliffs of Moher

14. Tourist Attractions Killarney National Park

15. Tourist Attractions Blarney Castle

16. Tourist Attractions Gougane Barra

17. Tourist Attractions Kinsale

18. Legendary creatures Pooka Leprechaun Banshee and Keening