Ireland

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Ireland
Ireland.gif
Flag of Ireland
Capital Dublin
Inhabitants 4.456.000
Language(s) Irish, English
Ireland.jpg

Ireland is a small, independent country in northwestern Europe. It is often called the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is the capital and largest city.

The country occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the British Isles. The remaining one-sixth of the island is occupied by Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .

A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for the 26 southern counties; the six northern counties (Ulster) remained part of Great Britain. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, approved in 1998, was implemented the following year.

Ireland: The land where Guinness flows...


Contents

History

In prehistoric times Ireland underwent a number of invasions from Europe, the most important of which was that of the Gaels in the 3rd century BC. Gaelic Ireland was divided into kingdoms, nominally subject to an Ardri or High King; the chiefs were elected under the tribal or Brehon law, and were usually at war with one another.

Ireland was known to the Romans as Hibernia, but no invasion was ever attempted. Christianity was introduced by St Patrick about 432, and during the 5th and 6th centuries Ireland became the home of a civilization which sent out missionaries to Britain and Europe.

From about 800 the Danes began to raid Ireland, and later founded Dublin and other coastal towns, until Brian Boru (king from 976) defeated them at Clontarf 1014.

Anglo-Norman adventurers invaded Ireland 1167, but by the end of the medieval period English rule were still confined to the Pale, the territory around Dublin. The Tudors adopted a policy of conquest, confiscation of Irish land, and plantation by English settlers, and further imposed the Reformation and English law on Ireland. The most important of the plantations was that of Ulster, carried out under James I 1610. In 1641 the Irish took advantage of the developing struggle in England between king and Parliament to begin a revolt which was crushed by Oliver Cromwell 1649, the estates of all "rebels" being confiscated. Another revolt 1689-91 was also defeated, and the Roman Catholic majority held down by penal laws. In 1739-41 a famine killed one-third of the population of 1.5 million.

The subordination of the Irish parliament to that of England, and of Irish economic interests to English, led to the rise of a Protestant patriot party, which in 1782 forced the British government to remove many commercial restrictions and grant the Irish parliament its independence. This did not satisfy the population, who in 1798, influenced by French revolutionary ideas, rose in rebellion, but were again defeated. In 1800 William Pitt induced the Irish parliament to vote itself out of existence by the Act of Union, effective 1 Jan 1801, which brought Ireland under the aegis of the British crown. During another famine 1846-51, 1.5 million people emigrated, mostly to the US.

By the 1880s there was a strong movement for home rule for Ireland; Gladstone supported it but was defeated by the British Parliament. By 1914, home rule was conceded but World War I delayed implementation.

The Easter Rising took place April 1916, when nationalists seized the Dublin general post office and proclaimed a republic. After a week of fighting, the revolt was suppressed by the British army and most of its leaders executed.

From 1918 to 1921 there was guerrilla warfare against the British army, especially by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), formed by Michael Collins 1919. This led to a split in the rebel forces, but in 1921 the Anglo-Irish Treaty resulted in partition and the creation of the Irish Free State in S Ireland.

Culture

Music

U2 may be Ireland's loudest cultural export, but of all the arts, the Irish have had the greatest impact on literature. If you took all the Irish writers off the university reading lists for English Literature the degree course could probably be shortened by a year. Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, W B Yeats, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce are just some of the more famous names. Joyce is regarded as the most significant writer of literature in the 20th century, and the topographical realism of Ulysses still draws a steady stream of admirers to Dublin, bent on retracing the events of Bloomsday.

It's possible to add at least a couple of dozen more contemporary names to this heady brew, though it might be argued that the more spectacular highlights are JP Donleavy's The Ginger Man; Brendan Behan's Borstal Boy, Roddy Doyle's 1993 Booker Prize winner Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, Patrick Macabe's brilliantly disturbing The Butcher Boy and anything with the word 'peat' in it written by the poet Seamus Heaney.

Cinema

As well as being a backdrop for all sorts of Hollywood schlock (Far & Away, Circle of Friends), Ireland has been beautifully portrayed on celluloid. John Huston's superb final film, The Dead, was released in 1987 and based on a story from James Joyce's Dubliners. Noel Pearson and Jim Sheridan's My Left Foot won Oscars for Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker with the true story of Dublin writer Christy Brown, who was crippled with cerebral palsy. Lewis also starred in In the Name of the Father, a powerful film telling the story of the wrongful conviction of the Guildford Four for an IRA pub bombing in England. Neil Jordan's film Michael Collins depicts the life of the man who helped create the IRA. Jordan's The Crying Game is another depiction of the IRA, but with a twist. Roddy Doyle's chuckly books lend themselves well to screen tales: The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van have all been filmed.

Traditional music

Jigging an evening away to Irish folk music is one of the joys of a trip to Ireland. Most traditional music is performed on fiddle, tin whistle, goatskin drum and pipes. Almost every village seems to have a pub renowned for its music where you can show up and find a session in progress, even join in if you feel so inclined. Christy Moore is the icon of the contemporary singer-songwriter tradition, and Moore's younger brother, Luka Bloom, has carved out a jingly whimsical name for himself. Younger artists have their own takes on Irish folk, from the mystical style of Clannad and Enya to the sodden reels of the Pogues. Irish rock is always in amongst it, from Van the Man, Bob Geldof and crabby Elvis Costello to Sinéad O'Connor and The Cranberries.

Language

Although English is the main language of Ireland, it's spoken with a mellifluous lilt and a peculiar way of structuring sentences, to be sure. There remain areas of western and southern Ireland, known as the Gaeltacht, where Irish is the native language - they include parts of Kerry, Galway, Mayo, the Aran Islands and Donegal. If you intend to visit these areas, it would be beneficial to learn at least a few basic phrases. Since Independence in 1921, the Republic of Ireland has declared itself to be bilingual, and many documents and road signs are printed in both Irish and English.

Food

Irish meals are usually based around meat - in particular, beef, lamb and pork chops. Irish breads and scones are also delicious, and other traditional dishes include bacon and cabbage, a cake-like bread called barm brack and a filled pancake called a boxty. The main meal of the day tends to be lunch, although black gold (Guinness) can be a meal in itself. If stout disagrees with you, a wide range of lagers are available. Irish coffee is not traditional, and is only offered in touristy hotels and restaurants, but the Irish drink lots of tea. When ordering whiskey, never ask for a Scotch. Ask for it by brand.

Christmas

St. Stephen's Day is celebrated in Ireland in a different way, but is similar to Boxing Day in that it also has to do with the solicitation of money. Young men is extravagant dress, sometimes wearing masks, parade noisily through the streets in the Wren Boys' Procession. They carry long pole on top of which is attached a holly bush. The bush supposedly contains a captured wren, and for whose sake the young men beg for money.

Dancing

The dancing history of Ireland is a big history with many influences from other cultures. The roots are the dances from the druids on the island. But this are only the deep roots. The way of dancing in Ireland changed with every culture who arrived on the island and this were many different cultures. Cultures which had a big influence are e.g.:

  • Druids
  • Celts
  • Anglo-Normans
  • English invaders

If you want have more information about dancing in Ireland have a look on the page irishculture.ie. Here you can find the whole story about dancing in Ireland.

Events

coming soon...

National holidays

  • Jan 1: New Year's Day
  • Mar 18: St. Patrick's Day
  • May 6: May Bank Holiday
  • Jun 3: June Bank Holiday
  • Aug 5: August Bank Holiday
  • Oct 28: October Bank Holiday
  • Dec 25: Christmas Day
  • Dec 26: St. Stephen's Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday

Embassies

  • Embassy of Australia in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Canada in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of The Czech Republic in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Denmark in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of France in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Italy in Dublin, Ireland
  • Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Japan in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Netherlands in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Sweden in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of The United Kingdom in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of The United States of America in Dublin, Ireland
  • Embassy of Argentina in Dublin, Ireland - 15 Ailesbury Drive, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Tel: 269 1546 Fax: 260 0404
  • Embassy of Austria in Dublin, Ireland - 15 Ailesbury Court 93 Ailesbury Road Dublin 4 Tel: 269 4577 / 269 1451 Fax: 283 0860
  • Embassy of Belgium in Dublin, Ireland - 2 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 2691588, 2692082, 2839403 Fax: 2838488 E-mail: Dublin@diplobel.org
  • Embassy of Brazil in Dublin, Ireland - Europa House Block 9, Harcourt Centre 41-45 Harcourt House Dublin 2 Tel: 475 6000 Fax: 475 1341
  • Embassy of Bulgaria in Dublin, Ireland - 22 Burlington Road Dublin 4 Tel: 660 3293 Fax: 660 3915
  • Embassy of Cyprus in Dublin, Ireland - 71 Lower Leeson Street Dublin 2 Tel: 676 3060 Fax: 676 3099 E-mail: embassyofcyprusdub@eircom.net
  • Embassy of China in Dublin, Ireland - 40 Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 269 1707 Fax: 283 9938
  • Embassy of Germany in Dublin, Ireland - 31 Trimleston avenue Booterstown Blackrock Co. Dublin Tel: 269 3011 Fax: 269 3946
  • Embassy of Greece in Dublin, Ireland - 1 Upper Pembroke Street Dublin 2 Tel: 676 7254 676 7255 Fax: 661 8892
  • Embassy of Holy See in Dublin, Ireland - 183 Navan Road Dublin 7 Tel: 838 0577 Fax: 838 0276
  • Embassy of Hungary in Dublin, Ireland - 2 Fitzwilliam Place Dublin 2 Tel: 661 2902 - 661 2903 Fax: 661 2880
  • Embassy of India in Dublin, Ireland - 6 Leeson Park Dublin 6 Tel: 497 0843 - 497 0959 Fax: 497 8074
  • Embassy of Iran in Dublin, Ireland - 72 Mount Merrion Avenue Blackrock Co. Dublin Tel: 288 0252 Fax: 283 4246
  • Embassy of Israel in Dublin, Ireland - Carrisbrook House 122 Pembroke Road Dublin 4 Tel: 668 0303 Fax: 668 0418
  • Embassy of Jordan in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 6 Upper Phillimore Gardens Kensington London W8 7HB Tel: 0044171 - 937 3685 Fax: 0044171 - 937 8795
  • Embassy of Kazakhstan in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 33 Thurlowe Square London SW7 2DS Tel: 0044171 581 646 Fax: 0044171 584 8481
  • Embassy of Kenya in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 45 Portland Place London W1N 4AS Tel: 0044171 - 636 2371 Fax: 0044171 - 323 6717
  • Embassy of Kuwait in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 2 Albert Gate Hyde Park House Knightsbridge London SW1 X7JU Tel: 0044171 - 590 3400 Fax: 0044171 - 823 1712
  • Embassy of Latvia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 45 Nottingham Palace London W1M 3FE Tel. 0044171 - 312 0040 Fax: 0044171 - 312 0042
  • Embassy of Lebanon in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 21 Palace Garden Mews London W8 4QM Tel: 0044171 - 229 7265/6 Fax: 0044171 - 243 1699
  • Embassy of Lithuania in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 84 Gloucester Place London WIH 3HN Tel: 0044171 - 486 401 Fax: 0044171 - 486 6403
  • Embassy of Luxembourg in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 27 Wilton Crescent London SW1X 8SD Tel: 0044 171 - 235 6961 Fax: 0044171 - 235 9734
  • Embassy of Mexico in Dublin, Ireland - 43 Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 260 0699 Fax: 260 0411
  • Embassy of Morocco in Dublin, Ireland - 53 Raglan Road Dublin 4 Tel: 660 9449 Fax: 660 9468
  • Embassy of Malaysia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 45/46 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8QT Tel: 0044171 - 235 8033 Fax: 0044171 - 235 5161
  • Embassy of Namibia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 6 Chandos Street London W1M 0LQ Tel: 0044171 - 636 6244 Fax: 0044171 - 637 5694
  • Embassy of New Zealand in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - New Zealand House Haymarket London SW1 4TQ Tel: 0044171 - 930 8422 Fax: 0044171 - 839 4580
  • Embassy of Nigeria in Dublin, Ireland - 56 Leeson Park Dublin 6 Tel: 660 4366 - 660 4051 Fax: 660 4092
  • Embassy of Norway in Dublin, Ireland - 34 Molesworth Street Dublin 2 Tel: 662 1800 Fax: 662 1890
  • Embassy Oman in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 167 Queens Gate London SW3 1HY Tel: 0044171 - 225 0001

Fax: 0044171 589 2505

  • Embassy of Poland in Dublin, Ireland - 5 Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 283 0855 Fax: 269 8309
  • Embassy of Portugal in Dublin, Ireland - Knocksinna House Knocksinna Road Foxrock Dublin 18 Tel: 89 4416 Fax: 289 2849
  • Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 35-36 Lowndes Square London SW1X 9JN Tel: 004 4171 - 9200 Fax: 0044171 - 6649299
  • Embassy of Philippines in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 9a Palace Green London W8 4QE Tel: 0044171 - 937 1600/9 Fax: 0044171 - 937 2925
  • Embassy of Qatar in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London)- 1 South Audley Street London W1Y 5DQ Tel: 0044171 - 493

2200 Fax: 0044171 - 493 2661

  • Embassy of Romania in Dublin, Ireland - 47 Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 269 2852 - 269 2142 Fax: 2692122
  • Embassy of Russia in Dublin, Ireland - 184-186 Orwell Road Rathgar Dublin 14 Tel: 492 2048 492 3492 (Consular Section) Fax: 492 3525
  • Embassy of Rwanda in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) -Uganda House 58-59 Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DX Tel: 0044171 - 930 2570 Fax: 0044171 - 930 572
  • Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) -30 Charles Street London W1X 7DM Tel: 0044171 - 917 000 Fax: 0044171 - 917 3330
  • Embassy of Slovakia in Dublin, Ireland - 20 Clyde Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 660 0012 660 0008 Fax: 660 0014
  • Embassy of Slovenia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - Suite 1, Cavendish Court 11-15 Wigmore Street London W1H 9LA Tel : 0044171 - 495 7775 Fax: 0044171 - 495 7776
  • Embassy of Sri Lanka in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 13 Hyde Park Gardens London W2 2LU Tel: 0044171 - 262 1841-7 Fax: 0044171 - 262 7970
  • Embassy of South Africa in Dublin, Ireland - 2nd Floor Alexandra House Earlsfort Centre Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2 Tel : 661 5553 Fax : 661 5590
  • Embassy of Sudan in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 3 Cleveland Row St. James's London SW1A 1DD Tel: 0044171 - 839 8080 Fax: 0044171 - 839 7560
  • Embassy of Spain in Dublin, Ireland - 17a Merlyn Park Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 283 8827 269 1640 Fax: 269 1854
  • Embassy of Switzerland in Dublin, Ireland - 6 Ailesbury Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 269 2515 269 566 Fax: 283 0344
  • Embassy of Tanzania in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 43 Hertford Street London W1Y 8DB Tel: 0044171 - 499 951/4 Fax: 0044171 - 491 9321
  • Embassy of Thailand in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 29/30 Queen’s Gate London SW7 5JB Tel: 0044171 - 259 5005 Fax: 0044171 - 235 9808
  • Embassy of Tunisia in Dublin, Ireland - 29 Prince’s Gate London SW7 1QG Tel: 0044171 - 584 8117 Fax: 0044171 - 225 2884
  • Embassy of Turkey in Dublin, Ireland - 11 Clyde Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Tel: 668 5240 660 1623 Fax: 668 5014
  • Embassy of Uganda in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 58/59 Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DX Tel: 0044171 - 839 5783 Fax: 0044171 - 839 8925
  • Embassy of Ukraine in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 78 Kensington Park Road London W11 2PL Tel : 0044171 - 727 6312 Fax : 0044171 - 792 1708
  • Embassy of The United Arab Emirates in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 30 Princes Gate London SW7 1PT Tel: 0044171 - 581 1281 Fax: 0044171 - 581 9616
  • Embassy of Uruguay in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 2nd Floor 140 Brompton Road London SW3 1HY Tel: 0044171 - 584 8192 Fax: 0044171 - 589 9585
  • Embassy of Venezuela in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 1 Cromwell Road London SW7 Tel: 0044171 - 5844206 Fax: 0044171 - 5898887
  • Embassy of Yugoslavia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 5 Lexham Gardens London W8 5JJ Tel: 0044171 - 370 6105/9 Fax: 0044171 370 3838
  • Embassy Zambia in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 2 Palace Gate Kensington London W8 5NG Tel: 0044171 - 589 6655 Fax: 0044171 - 581 1353
  • Embassy of Zimbabwe in Dublin, Ireland - (accredited in London) - 429 The Strand London WC2R 0SA Tel: 0044171 - 836 7755 Fax: 0044171 - 379 1167

 

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