A page from the Book of Kells.

The culture of the people living on the island of Ireland is far from monolithic. Many notable cultural divides exist between the rural people and city dwellers, between the Catholic and Protestant people of Northern Ireland, between the Irish-speaking people inside and outside the Gaeltacht regions and the English-speaking majority population, and increasingly between new immigrants and the native population. Christ Church Cathedral founded c. ... Communications in the Republic of Ireland, including postal services run by An Post, are regulated to a large extent by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources has overall responsibility for national policy and regulation. ... A pint of stout and some wheaten bread Irish cuisine can be divided into two main categories – traditional, mainly simple dishes, and more modern dishes, as served by hotels etc. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Population (in millions) from 1841 - 2006 The initial, ancient settlers of Ireland were migrants from tribes in modern-day Iberia and southern France [1]. Modern-day Irish people are mainly of Gaelic ancestry, and although some of the population is also of English, Scottish (also often Gaelic), Anglo-Norman, Viking... When under Gaelic rule, Ireland was divided into provinces to replace the earlier system of the túatha. ... For much of its history, the island of Ireland was divided into 32 counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: ). Two historical counties, County Desmond and County Coleraine, no longer exist, while several county names have changed. ... Health care in Ireland redirects here. ... The History of Ireland began with the first known human settlement in Ireland around 8000 BC, when hunter-gatherers arrived from Britain and continental Europe, probably via a land bridge. ... Public holidays are observed in the Republic of Ireland on: New Years Day, 1 January[1] St Patricks Day, 17 March[1] Easter Monday, moveable Labour Day/May Day, the first Monday in May June Bank Holiday, the first Monday in June August Bank Holiday, the first Monday... The Republic of Ireland has a common law legal system with four main sources of law: Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) Legislation Primary Legislation - Acts of the Oireachtas Secondary Legislation - Statutory Instrument Case law European Community Law Historical The state became independent in 1922 as the Irish Free... Politics of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... Rates of household recycling in Ireland have increased dramatically since the late 1990s, but are still lagging behind European averages. ... Download high resolution version (958x1215, 290 KB)Image of Folio 27v, with the four evangelist symbols from the Book of Kells, a 1200 year old book. ... Download high resolution version (958x1215, 290 KB)Image of Folio 27v, with the four evangelist symbols from the Book of Kells, a 1200 year old book. ... This page (folio 292r) contains the lavishly decorated text that opens the Gospel of John. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Gaeltacht regions in Ireland Gaeltacht (pronounced ; plural Gaeltachtaí) is an Irish word for an Irish-speaking region. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Farming and rural tradition

Lough Gur, an early Irish farming settlement

As archaeological evidence from sites such as the Céide Fields in County Mayo and Lough Gur in County Limerick demonstrates, farming in Ireland is an activity that goes back to the very beginnings of human settlement. In historic times, texts such as the Táin Bó Cúailinge show a society in which cattle represented a primary source of wealth and status. Little of this had changed by the time of the Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century. Giraldus Cambrensis portrayed a Gaelic society in which cattle farming and transhumance was the norm. Three hundred years later, the society depicted in Edmund Spenser's A View of the Present State of Ireland had changed remarkably little. Even today, when a quarter of the population of the country lives in Greater Dublin, the cattle population is of the order of 6.7 million. Download high resolution version (1024x768, 107 KB)Public Domain photo of Lough Gur from pdphoto. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 107 KB)Public Domain photo of Lough Gur from pdphoto. ... For referencing in Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Citing sources. ... The Céide Fields is the name given to an area situated on the north Mayo coast in the west of Ireland. ... Statistics Province: Connacht County Town: Castlebar Code: MO Area: 5,397 km² Population (2006) 123,648 Website: www. ... The north end of Lough Gur reaches up to a maintained lawn at the visitor area at the lake. ... Statistics Province: Munster County Town: Limerick Code: LK Area: 2,686 km² Population (2006) 183,863 (including Limerick City); 131,303 (without Limerick City) Website: www. ... The Táin Bó Cúailnge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, is the central tale in the Ulster Cycle, one of the four great cycles that make up the surviving corpus of Irish mythology. ... For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see Bos. ... Norman conquests in red. ... Giraldus Cambrensis (c. ... Transhumance is the seasonal movement of livestock between mountainous and lowland pastures. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Townlands, villages, parishes and counties

The Normans replaced traditional clan-based land management with the manorial system of land tenure and social organisation. This led to the imposition of the village and parish over the native system of townlands. In general, a parish was a civil and religious unit with a manor, a village and a church at its centre. Each parish incorporated one or more existing townlands into its boundaries. With the full extension of English feudalism over the island, the Irish county structure came into existence. For the 17th century system in Canada, see Seigneurial system of New France. ... Land tenure is the name given, particularly in common law systems, to the legal regime in which land is owned by an individual, who is said to hold the land. ... A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. ... A townland is the lowest-level geographical unit of land used in Ireland, smaller than a Parish or County. ... Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste Feudalism, a term first used in the early modern period (17th century), in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval European political system comprised of a set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the... For much of its history, the island of Ireland was divided into 32 counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: ). Two historical counties, County Desmond and County Coleraine, no longer exist, while several county names have changed. ...

These structures are still of vital importance in the daily life of Irish communities. Apart from the religious significance of the parish, most rural postal addresses consist of house and townsland names. The village and parish are key focal points around which sporting rivalries and other forms of local identity are built and most people feel a strong sense of loyalty to their native county, a loyalty which also often has its clearest expression on the sports field.

Land ownership and land hunger

With the Elizabethan English conquest, the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, and the organised plantations of English and Scottish settlers, the patterns of land ownership in Ireland were altered greatly. The old order of transhumance and open range cattle breeding died out to be replaced by a structure of great landed estates, small tenant farmers with more or less precarious hold on their leases, and a mass of landless labourers. This situation continued up to the end of the 19th century, when the agitation of the Land League began to bring about land reform. In this process of reform, the former tenants and labourers became land owners, with the great estates being broken up into small- and medium-sized farms and smallholdings. The process continued well into the 20th century with the work of the Irish Land Commission. This contrasted with Britain, where many of the big estates were left intact. One consequence of this is the widely recognised cultural phenomenon of "land hunger" amongst the new class of farmer. In general, this means that farming families will do almost anything to retain land ownership within the family unit, with the greatest ambition possible being the acquisition of additional land. Another is that hillwalkers in Ireland today are more constrained than their counterparts in Britain, as it is more difficult to agree rights of way with so many small farmers involved on a given route, rather than with just one landowner. The Elizabethan Era is the period associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603) and is often considered to be a golden age in English history. ... The Tudor re-conquest of Ireland took place under the English Tudor dynasty during the 16th century. ... Combatants English Royalists and Irish Catholic Confederate troops English Parliamentarian New Model Army troops and allied Protestants in Ireland Commanders James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1649 - Dec. ... Plantations in 16th and 17th century Ireland were established throughout the country by the confiscation of lands occupied by Gaelic clans and Hiberno-Norman dynasties, but principally in the provinces of Munster and Ulster. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... The Irish painter Henry Jones Thaddeus enlisted the conscience of the propertied classes with the sentimental realism of La retour du bracconier (The Wounded Poacher), exhibited in the Paris Salon of 1881, at the height of the Irish Land War The Irish Land League was an Irish political organization of... The Irish Land Commission was created in 1881 as a rent fixing commission by the Irish Land Act 1881. ... Hillwalking or fellwalking is the recreational practice of hiking in mountainous terrain. ...

Churches such as Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, contributed to city expansion

new image of Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin - my image taken tonight, no copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... new image of Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin - my image taken tonight, no copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Christ Church Cathedral (The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity) in Dublin is the elder of the citys two mediæval cathedrals, having been founded by St Laurence OToole. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ...

Family life

The Constitution of Ireland guarantees the rights of the family and the institution of marriage. However, the reality is that social and economic change in recent years has brought about significant changes in family life in the Republic. According to figures published in September 2004, 31% of all births in the Republic of Ireland occur outside marriage. This compares with 5% in 1980. The average age of mothers having their first child was 30 and the fertility rate is an average of 1.98 children. The Constitution of Ireland (Irish: Bunreacht na hÉireann)[1] is the founding legal document of the state known today both as Ireland and as the Republic of Ireland. ...

In the Republic, divorce became legal on 27 February 1997. The 2002 Census of Population showed that the number of divorced people in the state stood at 35,100, compared with 9,800 in 1996. The number of separated people, including divorces, increased from 87,800 in 1996 to 133,800 in 2002. Cohabiting couples made up 8.4% of all family units in 2002 compared with 3.9% in 1996. is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Holidays and festivals

Main article: Irish calendar

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, some in no way connected with Christianity. On 26 December (St. Stephen's Day), there is a custom of "Wrenboys"^[1] who call door to door with an arrangement of assorted material (which changes in different localities) to represent a dead wren "caught in the furze", as their rhyme goes. This custom has largely died out. The Irish calendar does not observe the typical astronomical seasons (beginning, in the Northern Hemisphere, on the equinoxes and solstices), or the meteorological seasons (beginning on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1), but rather centers the seasons around the solstices and equinoxes (so that, for instance, midsummer... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... This article is about the astronomical event of winter solstice or midwinter. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... St Stephens Day, or the Feast of St Stephen, is a Christian saints day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. ... In various parts of Ireland on St. ... Genera Donacobius Campylorhynchus Odontorchilus Salpinctes Catherpes Hylorchilus Cinnycerthia Thryomanes Ferminia Troglodytes Cistothorus Uropsila Thryorchilus Thryothorus Henicorhina Microcerculus Cyphorhinus Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Stamp FR 345 of Postverk Føroya, Faroe Islands Issued: 22 February 1999 Artist: Astrid Andreasen The true wrens are members of a mainly New World passerine bird family...

Brigid's Day (1 February, known as Imbolc or Candlemas) also does not have its origins in Christianity, being instead another religious observance superimposed at the beginning of spring. The Brigid's cross made from rushes on this day represents a pre-Christian solar wheel. Saint Brigid of Ireland Saint Brigid of Ireland (Bridget, Bridgit, Brigit; in English St. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar, celebrated either at the beginning of February or at the first local signs of Spring. ... Candlemas (Russian: Sretenie, Spanish: Candelaria) is a Christian feast commemorating the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. ... Brigids cross, Brighids cross, or Brigits cross, or Crosóg Brigde(in gaelic) is an old Irish symbol, probably derivative of the pagan sunwheel. ...

Other pre-Christian festivals, whose names survive as Irish month names, are Bealtaine (May), Lúnasa (August) and Samhain (November). The last is still widely observed as Halloween, followed by All Saints' Day, another Christian holiday associated with a traditional one. This article is about the Gaelic holiday. ... Lúnasa can refer to: A Celtic band from Ireland; see Lúnasa (band) A Gaelic holiday; see Lughnasadh This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Look up Samhain in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the holiday. ... All Saints in Poland The festival of All Saints, also sometimes known as All Hallows, or Hallowmas, is a feast celebrated in honour of all the saints and martyrs, known or unknown. ...

Important church holidays include Easter, and various Marian observances. The national holiday in the Republic is Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March and is marked by parades and festivals in cities and towns. This article is about the Christian festival. ... Saint Mary and Saint Mary the Virgin both redirect here. ... St. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Twelfth of July, which commemorates William III's victory at the Battle of the Boyne and the beginning of the Protestant Ascendancy, is celebrated by many Protestants throughout Northern Ireland. The Twelfth is an annual Protestant celebration on 12 July, originating in Ireland. ... William III of England, II of Scotland and III of Orange (The Hague, 14 November 1650 – Kensington Palace, 8 March 1702) was a Dutch aristocrat, the Prince of Orange from his birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 28 June 1672, King of England and King... Combatants Jacobite Forces -6000 French troops, 19,000 Irish Catholic troops Williamite Forces -English, Scottish, Dutch, Danish, Huguenot and Ulster Protestant troops Commanders James VII and II William III of England Strength 25,000 36,000 Casualties ~1,500 ~750 William III (William of Orange) King of England, Scotland and... The Protestant Ascendancy refers to the political, economic, and social domination of Ireland by Anglican landowners, Church of Ireland clergy, and professionals during the 17th, 18th, and 19th century. ...

Cultural institutions, organisations and events

Ireland is well supplied with museums and art galleries and offers, especially during the summer months, a wide range of cultural events. These range from arts festivals to farming events. The most popular of these are the annual Dublin Saint Patrick's Day Festival which attracts on average 500,000 people and the National Ploughing Championships with an attendance in the region of 400,000. There are also a number of Summer Schools on topics from traditional music to literature and the arts. The National Ploughing Championships are a competiton held in Ireland by the National Ploughing Association every year. ...

Institutions and organisations

This is a list of any museum in the Republic of Ireland. ... This is a partial list of learned societies, professional bodies and engineering societies operating in Ireland: Association of Physicsal Scientists in Medicine {APSM)¥ British and Irish Association of Law Librarians British Computer Society† Honorable Society of Kings Inns Institute of Chemistry of Ireland Institution of Engineers of Ireland¥ Institute...

Events

• Cork Jazz Festival
• Bray Jazz Festival
• Dublin Theatre Festival
• Fleadh Cheoil
• Harvest Time Blues

The Cork Jazz Festival is an annual festival held in Cork City, Ireland in late October every year since 1978. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The Dublin Theatre Festival is Europes oldest specialist Theatre Festival. ... The Fleadh Cheoil (lit. ... The Harvest Time Blues Festival, the Monaghan Rhythm and Blues Festival, is often referred to as the most pretigious and established blues festival in Ireland[1]. It is also seen as one of the great innovations in Ireland’s calender of niche musical events. ...

Religion

In the Republic, the last time a census asked people to specify their religion was 2002. The result was 88.4% Roman Catholic, 2.95% Church of Ireland (Anglican), 0.53% Presbyterian, 0.26% Methodist, less than 0.05% Jewish, approximately 2.3% other religious groupings (mainly Islam) and 3.53% ticked the "no religion" box. About 2% failed to answer. In Northern Ireland in 2001, the population was 40.3% Roman Catholic, 20.7% Presbyterian, 15.3% Church of Ireland (Anglican), 3.5% Methodist, 6.1% other Christian, 0.3% other religion and philosophy, and 13.9% religion not stated. Amongst the Republic's Roman Catholics, weekly church attendance dropped from 87% in 1981 to 60% in 1998, though this remained one of the highest attendance rates in Europe. The Church of Ireland (Irish: ) is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Topics

The Orange Order Orange parade in Glasgow (1 June 2003) The Orange Institution, more commonly known as the Orange Order, is a Protestant fraternal organisation based predominantly in Northern Ireland and Scotland with lodges throughout the Commonwealth and in Canada and the United States. ...

Literature and the arts

Main articles: Irish literature, Irish poetry, Irish fiction, Irish theatre, Irish mythology, Modern literature in Irish, Music of Ireland, and Irish dance

George Bernard Shaw, one of four Irish winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

For a comparatively small country, Ireland has made a disproportionate contribution to world literature in all its branches, in both the Irish and English languages^{[citation needed]}. The works that are best known outside the country are in English. For example, in the 20th century, Ireland produced four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature; George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Three of these were born in Dublin (Heaney being the exception, having lived in Dublin but being born in County Londonderry), making it the birthplace of more Nobel literary laureates than any other city in the world [1]. The Irish language has the third oldest literature in Europe (after Greek and Latin)[2], the most significant body of written literature (both ancient and recent) of any Celtic language^{[citation needed]}, as well as a strong oral tradition of legends and poetry. Poetry in Irish represents the oldest vernacular poetry in Europe, with the earliest examples dating from the 6th century. Irish writing of 8th century For a comparatively small country, Ireland has made a disproportionate contribution to world literature in all its branches. ... A 1907 engraving of William Butler Yeats, one of Irelands best-known poets. ... Jonathan Swift — the first Irish novelist of note Although the epics of Celtic Ireland were written in prose and not verse, most people would probably consider that Irish fiction proper begins in the 18th century. ... Oscar Wilde remains one of Irelands best-known playwrights The history of Irish theatre begins with the rise of the English administration in Dublin at the start of the 17th century. ... The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. ... Although Irish has been used as a literary language for more than a thousand years (see Irish literature), and in a form intelligible to contemporary speakers since at least the sixteenth century, modern Irish literature is thought to begin with the revival movement. ... Irish music is a folk music which has remained vibrant throughout the 20th century, when many other traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to pop music. ... Irish dancers at St. ... PD image from http://www. ... PD image from http://www. ... The Nobel Prize in literature is awarded annually to an author from any country who has produced the most outstanding work of an idealistic tendency. The work in this case generally refers to an authors work as a whole, not to any individual work, though individual works are sometimes... George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856–2 November 1950) was a world-renowned Irish author. ... Yeats redirects here. ... Samuel Barclay Beckett (13 April 1906 – 22 December 1989) was an Irish dramatist, novelist and poet. ... Seamus Justin Heaney (IPA: ) (born 13 April 1939) is an Irish poet, writer and lecturer who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. ... For other places with similar names, see Londonderry (disambiguation) and Derry (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... The Celtic languages are the languages descended from Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, a branch of the greater Indo-European language family. ... Vernacular literature is literature written in the vernacular - the speech of the common people. ...

The early history of Irish visual art is generally considered to begin with early carvings found at sites such as Newgrange and is traced through Bronze age artefacts, particularly ornamental gold objects, and the religious carvings and illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period. During the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, a strong indigenous tradition of painting emerged, including such figures as John Butler Yeats, William Orpen, Jack Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. Newgrange, which is located at , is one of the passage tombs of the Brú na Bóinne complex in County Meath, and the most famous of all Irish prehistoric sites. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript, often of a religious nature, in which the text is supplemented by the addition of colourful ornamentation, such as decorated initials, borders and the like. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... John Butler Yeats (Born Tullylish 16 March 1839, died 3 February 1922) was an Irish artist and the father of William Butler Yeats and Jack Butler Yeats. ... Self Portrait, circa 1910, Metropolitan Museum of Art. ... Jack Butler Yeats (1871-1957) was an Irish artist who wrote and illustrated for books and magazines. ... Louis le Brocquy (born November 10, 1916) is an Irish painter. ...

The Irish tradition of folk music and dance is also widely known. In the middle years of the 20th century, as Irish society was attempting to modernise, traditional Irish music fell out of favour to some extent, especially in urban areas. Young people at this time tended to look to Britain and, particularly, the United States as models of progress and jazz and rock and roll became extremely popular. During the 1960s, and inspired by the American folk music movement, there was a revival of interest in the Irish tradition. This revival was inspired by groups like The Dubliners, the Clancy Brothers and Sweeney's Men and individuals like Seán Ó Riada. Folk song redirects here. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962, making them one of the older bands still playing music today. ... Irish folk music band, most popular in the 1960s, who are often credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. ... Sweeneys Men was an Irish traditional band. ... Seán Ó Riada C. 1955 Seán Ó Riada (August 1, 1931 - October 3, 1971), born John Reidy, was a composer and bandleader, and perhaps the single most influential figure in the renaissance of traditional Irish music from the 1960s, through his participation in Ceoltóirí Chualann, his compositions, his writings...

The Uilleann pipes, a form of bagpipes unique to Ireland.

Before long, groups and musicians like Horslips, Van Morrison and even Thin Lizzy were incorporating elements of traditional music into a rock idiom to form a unique new sound. During the 1970s and 1980s, the distinction between traditional and rock musicians became blurred, with many individuals regularly crossing over between these styles of playing as a matter of course. This trend can be seen more recently in the work of bands like U2, The Cranberries and The Corrs. Full Set of Uilleann Pipes by pipe maker Marc van Daal. ... Full Set of Uilleann Pipes by pipe maker Marc van Daal. ... Full set of Uilleann pipes Uilleann pipes (IPA: ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. ... Horslips were a 1970s Irish rock band that composed, arranged and performed their own Celtic rock songs and music based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... Thin Lizzy are a hard rock band who formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... The Cranberries are an Irish alternative rock band that rose to mainstream popularity in the 1990s. ... The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. ...

Food and drink

Main article: Irish cuisine

A pint of stout and some wheaten bread Irish cuisine can be divided into two main categories – traditional, mainly simple dishes, and more modern dishes, as served by hotels etc. ...

Food in early Ireland

The worldwide famous pint of Guinness along with a slice of wheaten soda bread

There are many references to food and drink in early Irish literature. Honey seems to have been widely eaten and used in the making of mead. The old stories also contain many references to banquets, although these may well be greatly exaggerated and provide little insight into everyday diet. There are also many references to fulachtaí fia, which are archaeological sites commonly believed to have once been used for cooking venison. The fulachtaí fia have holes or troughs in the ground which can be filled with water. Meat can then be cooked by placing hot stones in the trough until the water boils. Many fulachtaí fia sites have been identified across the island of Ireland, and some of them appear to have been in use up to the 17th century. Pint of stout from pdphoto. ... Pint of stout from pdphoto. ... Guinness logo Guinness is Good for You — Irish language advertisement. ... Whole wheat soda bread (known as wheaten bread in Northern Ireland) Soda bread is a type of quick bread in which yeast has been substituted with baking soda. ... For other uses, see Honey (disambiguation). ... Mead Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made of honey, water, and yeast. ... Fulacht Fia Most probably used in Celtic Ireland as outdoor cooking areas, a fulacht fia (plural: fulachta fia) consists of a large wood lined pit - approximately a metre wide by 2 metres long and maybe half a metre or more in depth. ... Leg of venison on apple sauce with dumplings and vegetables Venison is meat of the family Cervidae. ...

Excavations at the Viking settlement in the Wood Quay area of Dublin have produced a significant amount of information on the diet of the inhabitants of the town. The main animals eaten were cattle, sheep and pigs, with pigs being the most common. This popularity extended down to modern times in Ireland. Poultry and wild geese as well as fish and shellfish were also common, as were a wide range of native berries and nuts, especially hazel. The seeds of knotgrass and goosefoot were widely present and may have been used to make a porridge. For other uses, see Viking (disambiguation). ... Wood Quay is a riverside area of Dublin that was one of the most important sites of Viking settlement in the city. ... Species See text. ... For other uses, see Pig (disambiguation). ... Ducks amongst other poultry The Poultry-dealer, after Cesare Vecellio Poultry is the category of domesticated birds kept for meat, eggs, and feathers. ... Geese redirects here. ... This article is about the tree; for other meanings of hazel, see Hazel (disambiguation). ... Species see text Polygonum cuspidatum fall foliage Polygonum, or knotweed, is a genus in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae. ... Species See text Chenopodium is a genus of plant in the family Amaranthaceae, known generically as the Goosefoots. ... ‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ...

The potato in Ireland

The potato would appear to have been introduced into Ireland in the second half of the 17th century, initially as a garden crop. It eventually came to be the main food field crop of the tenant and labouring classes. As a food source, the potato is extremely efficient in terms of energy yielded per unit area of land. The potato is also a good source of many vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C (especially when fresh). For other uses, see Potato (disambiguation). ... This article is about the nutrient. ...

Potatoes form the basis for many traditional Irish dishes

As a result, the typical 18th and 19th century Irish diet of potatoes and buttermilk was a contributing factor in the population explosion that occurred in Ireland at that time. However, the damp Irish climate favours the spread of potato blight and this frequently led to shortages and famine. The most notable instance being the Great Irish Famine (1845-1849) , which more or less undid all the growth in population of the previous century by a combination of starvation, disease and emigration. deletebecause|Moved to commons: under same name Potatoes From http://www. ... deletebecause|Moved to commons: under same name Potatoes From http://www. ... Potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) is a serious disease of the potato plant. ... Great Irish Famine may also refer to Great Irish Famine (1740-1741). ...

Food in Ireland today

In the 20th century the usual modern selection of foods common to Western cultures has been adopted in Ireland. Both US fast-food culture and continental European dishes have influenced the country, along with other world dishes introduced in a similar fashion to the rest of the Western world. Common meals include pizza, curry, Chinese food, and lately, some west African dishes have been making an appearance. Supermarket shelves now contain ingredients for, among others, traditional, European, American (Mexican/Tex-Mex), Indian, Polish and Chinese dishes. For specific discussion of Western fast food chains, see fast food restaurant. ... Occident redirects here. ... China has one of the richest culinary heritages on Earth. ... Cuisine of Africa reflects indigenous traditions, as well as influences from Arabs, Europeans, and Asians. ... Tex-Mex is a term for a type of American food which is used primarily in Texas and the Southwestern United States to describe a regional cuisine which blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans that are influenced by the cuisines of...

The proliferation of fast food has led to increasing public health problems including obesity, and one of the highest rates of heart disease in the world. Traditional Irish food and diet is also somewhat to blame, with a large emphasis on meat. Government efforts to combat this had included television advertisements. In the north, the Ulster fry has been particularly cited as being a major source for a higher incidence of cardiac problems, quoted as being a "heart attack on a plate". All the ingredients are fried, although more recently the trend is to grill as many of the ingredients as possible. Fast food is food prepared and served quickly at a fast-food restaurant or shop at low cost. ... Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart and as of 2007 it is the leading cause of death in the United States,[1] and England and Wales. ... A full breakfast[1] is a traditional cooked breakfast, comprising at its heart bacon and eggs, that is popular throughout the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth, and other parts of the English-speaking world. ... This page is about the muscular organ, the Heart. ... The act of frying. ... Grill or grills may refer to: In food: Grill (cooking), a device or surface used for cooking food, usually fueled by gas or charcoal. ...

In tandem with these developments, the last quarter of the century saw the emergence of a new Irish cuisine based on traditional ingredients handled in new ways. This cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, fish, especially salmon and trout, oysters and other shellfish, traditional soda bread, the wide range of hand-made cheeses that are now being made across the country, and, of course, the potato. Traditional dishes, such as the Irish stew, Dublin coddle, the Irish breakfast and potato bread, have enjoyed a resurgence. Schools like the Ballymaloe Cookery School have emerged to cater for the associated increased interest in cooking with traditional ingredients. For other uses, see Salmon (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Trout (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Oyster (disambiguation). ... Whole wheat soda bread (known as wheaten bread in Northern Ireland) Soda bread is a type of quick bread in which yeast has been substituted with baking soda. ... Cheese is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. ... Irish stew (Irish: Stobhach Gaelach) is a traditional Irish dish made from lamb or mutton as well as potatoes, onions, and parsley [1]. It originated in Ireland but appears in cookbooks all over Europe, including in Escoffiers Guide Culinaire. ... Coddle is a dish traditionally associated with Ireland. ... A full breakfast[1] is a traditional cooked breakfast, comprising at its heart bacon and eggs, that is popular throughout the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth, and other parts of the English-speaking world. ... Potato bread is a form of bread in which potato flour replaces a portion of the regular wheat flour in the making of the loaf. ...

Pub culture

Pub culture, as it is termed, pervades Irish society, across all cultural divides. The term refers to the Irish habit of frequenting public houses (pubs) or bars. Traditional pub culture is concerned with more than just drinking, even though Ireland has a recognized problem with over-consumption of alcohol, with the third-highest alcohol consumption in the world according to the OECD Health Data 2005 survey.^[2] Per capita alcohol consumption increased by 41% in the period 1989 to 1999. Typically pubs are important meeting places, where people can gather and meet their neighbours and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Pubs vary widely according to the clientele they serve, and the area they are in. Best known, and loved amongst tourists is the traditional pub, with its traditional Irish music (or "trad music"), tavern-like warmness, and memorabilia filling it. Often such pubs will also serve food, particularly during the day. Many more modern pubs, not necessarily traditional, still emulate these pubs, only perhaps substituting traditional music for a DJ or non-traditional live music. Pub redirects here. ... The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), (in French: Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques; OCDE) is an international organisation of thirty countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ...

Many larger pubs in cities eschew such trappings entirely, opting for loud music, and focusing more on the consumption of drinks. Such venues are popular "pre-clubbing" locations. "Clubbing" has become a popular phenomenon amongst young people in Ireland. Clubs usually vary in terms of the type of music played, and the target audience. Laser lights illuminate the dance floor at a Gatecrasher dance music event in Sheffield, England A nightclub (or night club or club) is a drinking, dancing, and entertainment venue which does its primary business after dark. ...

The immigrant population in many cases, has not adapted to the Irish pub and club culture, particularly in city areas, where drinking to excess is often the focus of pub and club-goers.

A significant recent change to pub culture in the Republic of Ireland has been the introduction of a smoking ban, in all workplaces, which includes pubs and restaurants. The ban was introduced on March 29, 2004. A majority of the population support the ban, including a significant percentage of smokers. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in pubs has changed greatly as a result, and debate continues on whether it has boosted or lowered sales, although this is often blamed on the ever-increasing prices, or whether it is a "good thing" or a "bad thing". A similar ban, under the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 came into effect in Northern Ireland on the 30th of April 2007.^[3][4] No Smoking sign. ... is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also: Baileys Irish Cream, Black and Tan, Full breakfast, Irish Coffee, Irish whiskey, Saint Brendan's, and Stout beer

Advertisement for Baileys in Dublin 200 ml bottle of Baileys Irish Cream Baileys Irish Cream (the registered trade mark omits the apostrophe), is an Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur, made by R. A. Bailey & Co. ... This article is about beer blends. ... A full breakfast[1] is a traditional cooked breakfast, comprising at its heart bacon and eggs, that is popular throughout the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth, and other parts of the English-speaking world. ... A classic Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar, with cream floated on top. ... Irish Whiskeys For the novel of the same name, see Irish Whiskey (novel). ... Saint Brendans is a cream liqueur named after Saint Brendan. ... A pint of stout Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malts or roast barley. ...

Languages

The two dominant languages in Ireland have long influenced each other, with the local English dialect adopting aspects of the Irish grammatical structure, and in turn, Irish drawing much vocabulary from the foreign tongue. Today however, Irish is spoken little in daily routine outside Gaeltacht areas.

Several other languages are spoken on the island, including Ulster Scots, a variety of Scots spoken in Ulster, and Shelta, a mixture of Irish, Romany and English, spoken widely by Travellers. Two sign languages have also been developed on the island. Ulster Scots (also known more recently as Ullans) are recent terms for the varieties of Lowland Scots spoken in parts of Ulster in Ireland. ... This article is about the Anglic language of Scotland. ... This article is about the nine-county Irish province. ... Shelta is a language spoken by parts of the Irish Traveller people. ... Romany (or Romani) relates to: The Roma: a people sometimes pejoratively called Gypsies. Their language Romany was the pseudonym of a broadcaster and writer of Roma descent, George Bramwell Evens. ... Irish Travellers are a nomadic or itinerant people of Irish origin living in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States. ...

Some other languages have entered Ireland with immigrants – for example, Polish is now the third most widely spoken language in Ireland after English and Irish, followed by Chinese.

• Irish language
• Irish Sign Language
• Hiberno-English
• Northern Ireland Sign Language
• Ulster Scots language
• Shelta language

This article is about the modern Goidelic language. ... Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the sign language of Ireland, used primarily in the Republic of Ireland. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Northern Ireland Sign Language (NISL) is a sign language used in Northern Ireland, mainly Belfast. ... Ulster Scots, also known as Ullans, Hiberno-Scots, or Scots-Irish, refers to the variety of Scots (sometimes referred to as Lowland Scots) spoken in parts of the province of Ulster, which spans the six counties of Northern Ireland and three of the Republic of Ireland. ... Shelta (also known as Gammen, Sheldru, Pavee, or simply the Cant) is a language spoken by parts of the Irish Traveller people that is often used to conceal the meaning from those outside the group. ...

Media

Main article: Media in Ireland

The media in Ireland includes all the media and communications outlets of any other developed nation. ...

Print

Lá Nua - Irish language newspaper

There are several daily newspapers in Ireland, including the Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner, The Irish Times, The Star, The Evening Herald, Daily Ireland, the Irish Sun, and the Irish language Lá Nua. The best selling of these is the Irish Independent, which is published in both tabloid and broadsheet form. The Irish Times is Ireland's newspaper of record. Image File history File linksMetadata La_priomhlch. ... Image File history File linksMetadata La_priomhlch. ... Lá Nua (meaning New Day) is an Irish language daily newspaper based in Belfast. ... The Irish Independent is Irelands best-selling daily newspaper. ... The Irish Examiner (Formerly: Cork Examiner, The Examiner) is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country. ... It has been suggested that Irish Times Trust be merged into this article or section. ... The Star is the title of a tabloid newspaper published in Ireland. ... The Evening Herald is a tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. ... Daily Ireland was an Irish daily newspaper which existed from January 2005 to September 2006 to cover news stories from an Irish republican viewpoint. ... The Irish Sun is a tabloid newspaper sold in Ireland with a special edition for Northern Ireland. ... Lá Nua (meaning New Day) is an Irish language daily newspaper based in Belfast. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Newspaper sizes in August 2005. ... // A newspaper of record is a colloquial term that generally refers to a newspaper that meets at least one of two criteria: high standards of journalism, the articles of which establish a definitive record of current events, for use by future scholars, and/or compliance with the legal requirements necessary...

The Sunday market is quite saturated with many British publications. The leading Sunday newspaper in terms of circulation is The Sunday Independent. Other popular papers include The Sunday Times, The Sunday Tribune, The Sunday Business Post, Ireland on Sunday and the Sunday World. The Sunday Independent is a broadsheet Sunday newspaper published in the Republic of Ireland by Independent News and Media plc. ... The Sunday Times is a Sunday broadsheet newspaper distributed in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News International which is in turn owned by News Corporation. ... Sunday Tribune is an Irish Sunday newspaper published by Tribune Newspapers plc. ... The Sunday Business Post is an Irish national Sunday newspaper published by Thomas Crosbie Holdings Limited. ... Ireland on Sunday is a Sunday newspaper in the Republic of Ireland published by Associated Newspapers Ireland Limited, a subsidary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc. ... The Sunday World is an Irish newspaper published by Sunday Newspapers Limited, a division of Independent News and Media. ...

There are quite a large number of local weekly newspapers, with most counties and large towns having two or more newspapers. Curiously Dublin remains one of the few places in Ireland without a major local paper since the Dublin Evening Mail closed down in the 1960s. In 2004 the Dublin Daily was launched, but failed to attract enough readers to make it viable. The Dublin Evening Mail (renamed the Evening Mail in 1928) was between 1823 and 1962 one of Dublins evening newspapers. ...

One major criticism of the Irish newspaper market is the strong position Independent News & Media has on the market. It controls the Evening Herald, Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Sunday World and The Star as well as holding a large stake in the cable company Chorus, and indirectly controlling The Sunday Tribune. The Independent titles are perceived by many Irish republicans as having a pro-British stance. In parallel to this, the Independent titles are perceived by many opposition supporters as being pro Fianna Fáil^{[citation needed]}. Independent News & Media plc (INM) is a media organisation based in Dublin, Ireland with interests worldwide. ... Chorus Communications is a communications provider in Ireland, it offers internet, television and telephone services. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (Pronounced fee-na fall.) (English: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Irish: ), commonly referred to as Fianna Fáil (IPA ; traditionally translated by the party into English as Soldiers of Destiny, though the actual meaning is Soldiers [Fianna] of Ireland[1]), is currently the largest political party in Ireland with 55,000 members. ...

The Irish magazine market is one of the world's most competitive, with hundreds of international magazines available in Ireland, ranging from Time and The Economist to Hello! and Reader's Digest. This means that domestic titles find it very hard to retain readership. Among the best-selling Irish magazines are the RTÉ Guide, Ireland's Eye, Irish Tatler, VIP, Phoenix and In Dublin. “TIME” redirects here. ... The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London. ... For other uses, see Hello (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The RTÉ Guide (Irish langauge: Iris Radio Telefís Éireann) is a television and radio listings magazine in the Republic of Ireland published by RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Limited, a subsidary of Radio Telefís Éireann. ... Sailboats seen from Irelands Eye, with Howth Head in the background Martello tower on Irelands Eye Irelands Eye is a small uninhabited island off the coast of County Dublin, Ireland, situated directly north of Howth Harbour. ...

See also: List of Irish newspapers

The following is the list of newspapers published at some point on the island of Ireland. ...

Radio

The first known radio transmission in Ireland was a call to arms made from the General Post Office in O'Connell Street during the Easter Rising. The first official radio station on the island was 2BE Belfast, which began broadcasting in 1924. This was followed in 1926 by 2RN Dublin and 6CK Cork in 1927. 2BE Belfast later became BBC Radio Ulster and 2RN Dublin became RTÉ. The first commercial radio station in the Republic, Century Radio, came on air in 1989. General Post Office in 2006. ... Combatants Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, Irish Republican Brotherhood British Army Royal Irish Constabulary Commanders Patrick Pearse, James Connolly Brigadier-General Lowe General Sir John Maxwell Strength 1250 in Dublin, c. ... 2BE Belfast was the call sign of the first official radio station in Northern Ireland which started Broadcasting in 1924. ... BBC Radio Ulster is a BBC Radio station based in Belfast and is part of BBC Northern Ireland. ... Radio Telefís Éireann[1] (RTÉ; IPA: ,  ) is the Public Service Broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland. ... Century Radio, marketed as 100–102 Century Radio, was the shortlived first national commercial radio station in Ireland, it was licenced by the Independent Radio and Television Commission. ...

During the 1990s and particularly the early 2000s, dozens of local radio stations have gained licences. This has resulted in a fragmentation of the radio broadcast market. This trend is most noticeable in Dublin where there are now 6 private licenced stations in operation.

Television

Father Ted - one of Ireland's most popular TV shows.

While some areas of Ireland received signal from Wales earlier, BBC Northern Ireland began broadcasting television programmes in 1959 and RTÉ Television opened in 1961. Teilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG), now called TG4, started its Irish language service in 1996 and commercial television arrived when TV3 began broadcasting in 1998. Father Ted Cast http://www. ... Father Ted Cast http://www. ... Father Ted was a popular 1990s television situation comedy set around the lives of three priests on the extremely remote (and completely fictional) Craggy Island off the west coast of Ireland. ... BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland. ... TG4 is a television channel for speakers of the Irish language which was launched on 31 October 1996; it was known as Teilifís na Gaeilge or TnaG before a rebranding campaign in 1999. ... TG4 (Irish: TG Ceathair or TG a Ceathair; IPA: /tiː dÊ’iː kʲahəɾʲ/) is a television channel in Ireland, aimed at Irish-language speakers and established as a wholly owned subsidiary by Radio Telefís Éireann on 31 October 1996. ... TV3 Ireland is the sole commercial terrestrial television channel in the Republic of Ireland. ...

British and satellite-carried international television channels have widespread audiences in Ireland. The BBC and ITV families of channels are available free to air across the island of Ireland and there is widespread availablity of the four main UK channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel Four) but only limited coverage from five. Sky One, E4, and several hundred satellite channels are widely available. Parts of Ireland can access the UK digital TV system Freeview. For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see ITV (disambiguation). ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... E4 is a British digital television channel launched as a pay-tv companion to Channel 4 on 18 January 2001. ...

See also: List of Irish television channels

Irelands television channels are a subset of the Media in Ireland. ...

Film

The Irish Film industry has grown rapidly in recent years thanks largely to the promotion of the sector by Bord Scannán na hÉireann (The Irish Film Board)[3] and the introduction of generous tax breaks. Some of the most successful Irish films included Intermission (2001), Man About Dog (2004), Michael Collins (1996), Angela's Ashes (1999) and The Commitments (1991). The Irish film industry has grown somewhat in recent years thanks partly to the promotion of the sector by Bord Scannán na hÉireann (The Irish Film Board) and the introduction of heavy tax breaks. ... Intermission is a 2003 motion picture directed by John Crowley which tells a story of a young couple and people surrounding them. ... Man About Dog is a 2004 comedy film starring Allan Leech, Ciaran Nolan and Tom Murphy. ... Michael Collins is a semi-fictitious film made in 1996 about Michael Collins, the Irish patriot and revolutionary who died in the Irish civil war. ... Angelas Ashes is a 1999 film based on the memoir of the same title by Frank McCourt, born in the United States of Irish descent. ... The novel The Commitments was made into a film in 1991, directed by Alan Parker. ...

Ireland has also proved a popular location for shooting films with The Quiet Man (1952), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Braveheart (1995), and King Arthur (2004) all being shot in Ireland. The Quiet Man is a 1952 American film starring John Wayne, Maureen OHara, Victor McLaglen, and Barry Fitzgerald, and directed by John Ford. ... Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 Academy-Award-winning film set in World War II, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. ... For the moshing term Braveheart, see Wall of death (moshing). ... A movie poster for King Arthur. ...

Sport

Main article: Sport in Ireland

Sport in Ireland is popular and widespread. Throughout the country a wide variety of sports are played, the most popular being Gaelic football, hurling, rugby union, soccer and hockey. By attendance figures, Gaelic football is by far the most popular sport in Ireland, and the Gaelic sports' main organising body, the Gaelic Athletic Association has a large membership and an especially strong role in rural communities. Logo of The Irish Sports Council Sport on the island of Ireland is popular and widespread. ... Gaelic Football (Irish: Peil, Peil Gaelach or Caid ), commonly referred to as football, or Gaelic , is a form of football played mainly in Ireland. ... For the Cornish sport, see Cornish Hurling. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... “Soccer” redirects here. ... A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a popular sport for men, women and children in many countries around the world. ... For other uses, see GAA (disambiguation). ...

In Ireland many sports, such as rugby union, Gaelic football and hurling, are organised in an all-island basis, with a single team representing Ireland in international competitions. Other sports, such as soccer, have separate organising bodies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. At the Olympics, a person from Northern Ireland can choose to represent either the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team or the Ireland team. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (English: God and my right)1 Official language None; English is de facto 2 Capital London Largest city London Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Prime Minister Tony Blair Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 76th 241,590 km² 93,278 mi² 1. ...

• Community Games
• Gaelic Athletic Association
• Irish Derby Stakes
• Irish Rugby Football Union
• NI football team
• RoI football team

The Community Games is an annual sporting competition held in Ireland for children up to 16 that finishs in a national finals every August were over 6,000 children compete for their area, town, county and provience. ... For other uses, see GAA (disambiguation). ... The Irish Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at the Curragh, County Kildare in late June / early July. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. ... For the Irish FAs all-Ireland international team, see Ireland national football team (IFA). ... First international Irish Free State 1 - 0  Bulgaria (Stade Olympique, Colombes, France; May 28, 1924) Biggest win Republic of Ireland 8 - 0 Malta (Dalymount Park, Republic of Ireland; 16 November 1983) Biggest defeat Brazil 7 - 0 Republic of Ireland (Uberlândia, Brazil; 27 May 1982) World Cup Appearances 3 (First...

See also

• List of Ireland-related topics
• Architecture of Ireland
• Culture of Northern Ireland
• Culture of Ulster
• Irish name

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ireland This page aims to list articles related to the island of Ireland. ... Christ Church Cathedral founded c. ... The Culture of Northern Ireland relates to the traditions of Northern Ireland and its resident communities. ... Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland. ... A formal Irish-language name consists of a given name and a surname, as in English. ...

References

• Mitchell, Frank and Ryan, Michael. Reading the Irish landscape (1998). ISBN 1-86059-055-1
• National Museum of Ireland. Viking and Medieval Dublin: National Museum Excavations, 1962 - 1973 (1973).
• R. Comerford, Ireland Inventing the Nation. (Hodder Books, 2003).

Sir James George Frazer (January 1, 1854, Glasgow, Scotland – May 7, 1941), was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. ... The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging comparative study of mythology and religion, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer (1854–1941). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... TheSite. ...

External links

• BBC Northern Ireland Television & Radio Archive
• Central Statistics Office Ireland
• Irish Department of Foreign Affairs: Facts about Ireland
• Irish Broadcasting
• Population figures by religion