IRELAND By: Eluska Aizpurua
IRELAND Capital: Dublin Population: 4,722,028 Total Size: 70,280 square km Continent: Europe Major Cities: DUBLIN (capital) 1.084 million, Belfast, Cork Currency: euro (EUR)
Description of flag: The flag of Ireland has three vertical stripes of green (left or hoist side), white (middle), and orange (right). It is often called the Irish tricolour. The color green represents the Gaelic traditions of Ireland, the white represents peace, and the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. National Holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Languages Spoken: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard Nationality: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
FAMOUS PEOPLE Bono - Lead singer for the band U2; Michael Collins - Revolutionary hero; Colin Farrel – Actor; Richard Harris - Movie and stage actor; Niall Horan - Singer with One Direction; John Hume – Politician; James Joyce – Author; Roy Keane - Soccer player; C.S. Lewis - Author who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia series; Robert Boyle - Scientist considered the founder of modern chemistry; Rory McIlroy - Professional golfer; Liam Neeson – Actor; Jonathon Swift - Author who wrote Gulliver's Travels; John Tyndall – Scientist; Oscar Wilde – Author; William Butler Yeats – Poet.
FAMOUS PLACES
Killarney National Park Barney Castle
Giant's Causeway Trinity College in Dublin
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Ring of Kerry
Cliffs of Moher
NATIONAL SPORT: HURLING Hurling is a game similar to hockey, in that it is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. It is Europe's oldest field game. When the Celts came to Ireland as the last ice age was receding, they brought with them a unique culture, their own language, music, script and unique pastimes. One of these pastimes was a game now called hurling. It features in Irish folklore to illustrate the deeds of heroic mystical figures and it is chronicled as a distinct Irish pastime for at least 2,000 years. The stick, or "hurley" (called camรกn in Irish) is curved outwards at the end, to provide the striking surface. The ball or "sliothar" is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges. Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide. The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one. (See below) 3 points is rewarded for a goal and 1 for a point. Each team consists of fifteen players, lining out as follows: 1 goalkeeper, three full-backs, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwards and three full-forwards. The actual line out on the playing field is as follows:
Players wear a jersey with their team colours and number on the back. Both teams must have different colour jerseys. The goalkeepers' jerseys must not be similar to the jersey of any other player. Referees normally tog out in black jerseys, socks and togs. It is important that players wear a helmet to protect themselves from head injury.
IRISH DANCING Irish Step Dancing - History The origin of Irish dancing is subject to much debate, Travelling dance masters in the 18th and 19th century are believed to have introduced step dancing to Ireland. Irish step dancing has changed over the years, step dancers in the 18th and 19th century wore their 'Sunday best'. Dancers would simply wear the outfit that they normally wore to church and dance bare foot. In the 1970's and 1980's solo step dancers began to wear heavy a-line dresses embroidered with a variety of Celtic patterns and specialist dance shoes were made specifically for Irish dancers. Different types of Irish Step Dancing There are two types of dancing, Solo step dancing and Ceili set dancing which is danced as a team. Irish Step Dancing - Shoes There are two types of dancing shoes used by solo Irish step dancers these are soft shoes and hard shoes. Irish Step Dancing - Costumes The dancing dresses worn by step dancers today are designed to the dancers individual taste and each one is unique. Different colors, patterns and materials ensure that each individual solo step dancer stands out from the crowd.
IRISH MUSIC Traditional Irish music is extremely popular all over the world. The Irish are known worldwide for their love of music. The Tin Whistle, Flute, Fiddle, Accordion and the Bodhrán are familiar instruments played in Ceilis's and Irish Pubs all over the world. Irish children are still taught to play traditional instruments, their parents keen to carry on ancient Celtic traditions and favour traditional instruments to the more modern ones. The Bodhrán is a traditional Irish musical instrument and consists of a frame drum covered in either synthetic material or goatskin. The inside of the drum is open and the player holds the drum by grasping the cross bars on the inside of the drum as shown as shown in the picture above. The drum is hit with a small wooden bone which is also known as a tipper, beater or cipín. Occasionally the Bodhrán is played by hand.
LEPRECHAUN The name leprechaun may have derived from the Irish leath bhrogan (shoemaker), although its origins may lie in luacharma'n (Irish for pygmy). These apparently aged, diminutive men are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew poteen. Leprechauns have also become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure, burying it in pots. This may be one reason why leprechauns tend to avoid contact with humans whom they regard as foolish and greedy creatures. If caught by a mortal, he will promise great wealth if allowed to go free. He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out. In the other he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations. This coin usually turns to leaves once the leprechaun has parted with it. Although the leprechaun has been described as Ireland's national fairy, this name was originally only used in the north Leinster area. Variants include lurachmain, lurican,lurgadhan.
IRELAND By: Eluska Aizpurua