Ireland history
Ireland has a brilliant and magnificently unique history that has greatly influenced modern day culture and society. The Celtic traditions and rich cultural background of this gorgeous country derive from various aspects of ancient histories and an extensive desire for independence. Ireland is known throughout the world for its spirited music, its lively people, and one of the most tumultuous and diverse histories in the world.
18th – 19th century
After the Irish Rebellion of 1798, Ireland was in a state of unrest. The Irish and British parliaments instituted the Acts of Union and established the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in January of 1801. Ireland was under the administration of the English Monarchy, however, prosperity did not continue through the 19th century.
The Great Irish Famine between 1845 and 1849 led to starvation throughout the country, as well as mass emigration to America and other parts of the world. The population of Ireland was nearly cut in half, and the use of the Gaelic language severely diminished. With the backlash of the famine, several political parties attempted to rebel against the Acts of Union to establish a free Ireland.
Quick fact!
Ireland has had its own Olympics since the Bronze Age, called the Tailteann Games.
1910 – 1949
The beginning of the 20th century brought about the implementation of Home Rule in 1910. However, the First World War delayed the Home Rule Bill until after the war. Violence and political unrest devoured Ireland from 1916 until 1921. The severity of the Dublin insurgency, also known as the 1916 Easter Rising, caused a great uproar throughout Ireland and Great Britain.
The establishment of the Irish Republican Army brought war and the Irish War of Independence from 1919 until 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 declared Ireland as a free state, as well as establishing the option for Northern Ireland to remain a part of Great Britain, which it did. The Irish Free State instituted religious, political, and social reform throughout the country. Ireland remained under the repressive Free State government until 1937.
The Irish government created a new constitution and re-emerged as the Republic of Ireland. The Second World War saw Ireland as a neutral state, however there were thousands of Irish volunteers in the British Allied forces. After the end of the war, Ireland was officially declared a republic in 1949 that led to major economic, social, and political reforms.
Quick fact!
Ireland is the only country in the world which has a musical instrument – the harp – as their national symbol. The oldest known harp in existence is housed in Trinity College, Dublin. It dates back from at least 1300.
1950 – present
The 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s saw twenty years of a fluctuating economy, however social unrest was still a huge part of Irish Society. Modern Ireland is a country of economic prosperity, social and civil liberality, and a continuing Irish culture. The turbulent past of the people of Ireland have led to a resilient and forgiving culture. The splendor of Ireland’s natural beauty, along with the welcoming culture allow for Ireland to be one of the most beautiful and prosperous countries in Europe.
Irish language and culture
Culture of Ireland
Family oriented, traditional and instilled with a love of fun and celebration, Irish people have largely inherited their customs, music, art and literature from their ancient Gaelic ancestors. Strong ties to the Catholic Church has meant religion has played a large part in defining Irish culture as has Gaelic, an ancient written and spoken language. Officially the national language of Ireland, Gaelic has many words that are uniquely descriptive of the Irish character, such as ‘craic’ which means to have fun, gossip and chat.
Cuisine
Ireland’s cuisine falls into two categories. On one hand are the hearty, traditional dishes from the days when people lived off the land – Irish stew, potatoes, soda bread, bacon and cabbage, black pudding and so forth. On the other is the emergence of the New Irish Cuisine from the late 20th century which inspired a whole new modern take on traditional ingredients, especially in the cities. Main food stuffs enjoyed in Ireland today include a whole range of seafood, fresh produce, cheese, beef and of course, the humble potato!
Festivals and traditions
Ireland holds many festivals throughout the year featuring music, dance, horse racing, matchmaking and everything in between! The day most recognised as being cause for an Irish celebration is that of St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th March. Irish people generally pin on a shamrock, go to church and then head home for a roast (parades, wearing green, and drinking green beer are all US inventions).
Other important Irish dates on the calendar include, Easter, Halloween – which originated in Ireland – and Christmas. Irish wakes are legendary affairs which can last for days, as can weddings.
Sport
Irish people love to watch sport, the most popular game being Gaelic Football. Strong rivalries between the teams and their supporters can often make football matches a heated affair! Hurling (a type of hockey), racing – whether it be horses or greyhounds – and rugby union, also have large followings in Ireland. An unusual pastime but one that is quite popular in Ireland is the Tug of War, there is even an Irish Tug of War Association!
Arts
Music, dance, poetry and literature are the best loved Irish arts. Traditional Irish music and dance has been around for centuries but was reinvented for European and American audiences in the mid-1990s with the hugely successful show Riverdance. Telling stories through lyrics and music is an integral part of the Irish psyche and the country has produced many fine musicians including, Enya, The Cranberries, Sinéad O’Connor, Clannad, The Pogues and more. Some of the world’s most famous writers have also hailed from its fair shores, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, William Yeats and James Joyce were all Irish.
Languages of Ireland
Both English and Irish are official languages in Ireland; English is however predominant with 94% of the population using it in day-to-day communication. Ireland considers Scots and Shelta as minority languages while Polish is the main immigrant language. French and German are the most popular foreign languages.
Basic Irish words and phrases
Hello – Dia dhuit
Goodbye – Slán
Please – Le do thoil
Thank you – go raibh maith agat
My name is …- … is ainm dom
I don’t speak Irish – Níl Gaeilge agam
Ireland weather
Ireland’s weather can be described as quite moderate that is prone to a subtle amount of changeability. It’s latitude may suggest that it is quite a cold place, however, the warm Atlantic waters seem to make the temperature of Ireland much more mild than expected. Hills and mountains that line the coast keep the strong winds and storms out of the interior of the country. Long summer days make for an enjoyable time to visit Ireland, while a deep breath of crisp clear air during a brisk winter’s day could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Spring in Ireland
As spring begins to bring in the warm weather, average temperatures begin to rise from the single digits into the teens. By the end of the season average highs are in the mid-teens with the occasional warm day reaching into the 20′s. Wear long sleeves and a light jacket to adjust to this gradual rise in temperature.
Summer in Ireland
Mild Irish summers hover around 15 degrees Celsius. Highs average around in the upper teens and lows are near the lower teens. Cool rains put the dapper on the occasionally hot day, but an altogether mild summer should be expected. Short sleeves and perhaps a light jacket are appropriate for a warm wet mild summer.
Autumn in Ireland
The air begins to cool come September, by November highs remain in the upper single digits. Rainfall continues on, but takes a bit of a colder form as highs are only able to peak in the lower teens and lows linger just above freezing. A medium weight jacket and long sleeves will keep you dry and warm throughout the season.
Winter in Ireland
Average Irish winters temperatures hang around 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Lows near freezing and the occasional cold spell will dip below freezing from time to time. The warm Atlantic waters keep temperatures mild, but rains make for seemingly much colder conditions. Stay warm by keeping dry in a heavy waterproof coat.
Average temperatures in Dublin, Galway and Cork
Average rainfall in Dublin, Galway and Cork
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