Otázka: Ireland
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): Sara
GEOGRAPHY
Éire(the national name of Ireland) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. It is devided into two major political units. Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Irealnd. Longest river is the Shannon.
Ireland (called the Emerald Isle) is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. To the west of Ireland there is the Atlantic Ocean, to the east, across the Irish Sea, Great Britain.
The highest mountain is Carrauntoohil locatad in the south-western part of the island. Its height is 1038 m.
There are many rivers and lakes in Ireland. The most important rier is the Shannon which runs from north to south.
Ireland has a mild, changeable oceanic climate ans lots of rains- good for growing grass, which is why is it known as the Green Island
Ireland is famous for its beautiful landscapes, music, history and mythology.
HISTORY
Ireland was originally inhabited by the Celts. St. Patrick brought them Christianity in the 5th century and from then on Irish missionaries spread the Christian religion thoughout Europe.
From the 12th century onwards Normans from England moved to Ireland , at first peacefully then confiscating the land and inposing English law on Ireland. A long series of revolts were crushed(for ex. By Oliver Cromwell), the country was devasted by famines,and many people emigrated to the US. In the Easter Rising in April 1916, the nationalists proclaimed independence, but the revolt was suppressed by the British army. An independent Irish state was established in 1921 but the six northern counties remained part of the United Kingdom.
The struggles between the Catholics (led by Sinn Féin) and the pro- British Protestants continued in Northern Ireland until the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.
ECONOMY
Industry(46%)… drinks – haard drinks… beer, guiness, whiskey(Irish), Tullamore Dew, Jameson
…electronical and chemical
Agriculture(5%) … sheep(wool), mutton , lamb , fishing
Two currencies(Euro, Pound sterling)
Services (49%) .. IT, Trade
POLITICAL SYSTEM
The Republic of Ireland is divided into 26 counties. It has a Parliament consisting of an upper house (Senate) and a lower house (House of Representatives). The head of the government is the prime minister, the chief of stste is the president. Since 1973 Ireland has been member of the EU. The 6 counties of Northern Ireland are ruled from London.
Ireland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary systém of government. The lead of the state is the President. The population of Ireland is about 4,5 milion inhabitants. Its capital city is Dublin. The official languages are Irish and English. Most people speak a little Irish, but only a small number of population are fluent or native speakers.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Although Irish Gaeli cis the official first language and i tis a compulsory subject at schoool, English is the language used every life. Ireland is the homeland of writers.
LANGUAGES
Irish 36% (is the national and first official language)
English 94%
SYMBOLS
1.THE FLAG…green(catholic), white(neutral),orange(protestant)
… The three stripes on the Irish flag illustrate the Irish political situation : orange represents the Irish Protestants (this dates back to the protestant King William of Orange) , green symbolises the Irish Catholics and their nationalism, and white symbolises the peace between them.
2.THE SHAMROCK … which is the symbol of Christianity. It symbolises the Holy Trinity(the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit)
3.THE HARP(harfa)
CULTURE
St Patrick´s Day
Saint Patrick brough Christianity to Ireland in the year 430. Is a big holiday for the Irish.
It is celebrated on March 17.
People dress up and there are street parades, fireworks and lots of Guinness drinking.
INTERESTING PLACES
Dublin
Capital city , founded by vikings
City´s Irish name is Bale Atha Cliath
Good night life, many pubs ,clubs-Temple bar
- Trinity College… oldest university in Ireland, library, beautiful iluminated
- O´Conel Street… Dublin biggest street, lotof lighting, souvenirs
Place with Guinness Storehouse (a museum of the Irish most famous beer)
Dublin Castle…
St. Patrick Cathedral
Cliffs of Mother – in the west coast, rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean
Glendalough- an early Medieval monastery from the 6th century.
Whiskey distilleries- Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Bushmills
IRISH CULTURE
Famous people
Irish writers…. Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce
Irish music … U2, Clannad, Enya, Glen Hansard
