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Ireland Features
Features of Ireland Ireland:
Map and Location Island Location: Ireland is an island off
western Europe in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is a
divided country, with independent governments.
The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) occupies
5/6th of the island of Ireland Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th
of the island and is a part of the United Kingdom. Capital(s)
Republic of Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast Official
languages: English and Gaelic. Size: The Republic of Ireland
covers 27,135 square miles (70,280 sq km).Population: The
population of Ireland is about 3,689,000 (as of 2000). Climate:
Ireland has a cool, often-cloudy climate.
Flag of Ireland The Republic of Ireland's flag is tricolor, and
is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and
green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side
is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. Colors in
the flag represent the native population and religious beliefs
in Ireland.Green: Signifies the native people of Ireland (most
of whom are Roman Catholic). Orange: Represents the British
supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland
in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). White: White
occupies the center of the flag and signifies peace between
these two groups of people.
Irish Provinces: Commonly known as the Four Green Fields of
Ireland. Irelands 4 provinces. Connacht is the north-western
province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Galway, Mayo,
Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Leinster is the eastern province
of Ireland, comprising the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin,
Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare,
Westmeath and Longford. Munster is the southernmost province of
Ireland, comprising the counties of Claire, Cork, Kerry,
Limerick, Tipperrary, and Waterford. Ulster forms one of the
historical provinces of Ireland. Six of its Nine counties
Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone, are known
together as Northern Ireland. Three counties Cavan, Donegal, and
Monaghan, are part of the Republic of Ireland.
Irish Identifiable:
Claddagh: The Friendship, Lovea and Loyalty Symbol or Ireland
The Claddagh design is said to originate from the Galway Area,
and the Aran Islands. The Claddagh ring was originally worn by
men, but later used as a Marriage Ring for Men and Women. The
symbol is comprised of 2 hands, a heart and a crown.The hands
symbolize the 2 parties involved. The heart is the seat of
affection or love. And the crown perfection. So, a perfect union
of love between 2 parties. Common word translations to the
Claddagh are: Friendship (hands), Love (heart) and Loyalty
(crown).
Harp Emblem: Its Importance in Irish History The harp symbol has
been recognized as the emblem of Ireland since the 13th century.
It was officially adopted as Ireland's national symbol when the
Irish Free State was created in 1922. The most famous Harp of
Ireland is the Brian Boru harp which is located at the Trinity
College in Dublin. The Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish
harp, and is the model used for the State emblem.
Trinity Symbol: The Trinity Symbol is an ancient Celtic design.
The Trinity emblem is an ancient symbol for a high spiritual
dignity. In the Christian faith, it represents the Holy Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity symbol has been
inscribed in stone, and also has been colored. Red for power,
faith, language and sacrifice. Blue -represents faith and trust.
Green -color of the plants and trees, suggests hope of life
eternal.
Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is possibly the best known symbol
of Early Christianity in Ireland. The High Celtic Cross is a
self contained monument, and are as high as 20 feet. They are
generally made of sandstone, and their main characteristic
feature is a circle connecting the arms. The rings around the
high cross may have been a symbol of the cosmos, and at the
center is the Crucificition of Christ. Or, the ring may have
been a structural piece, to prevent the arms of the cross from
snapping off. There are many decorations on the crosses many
including scenes from the bible, while others feature animal
Interlace, and scroll work. The crosses at Monasterboise and
Cross of Scriptures, Clonmacnoise are good examples for the
traditional Celtic Cross.
Irish Famous:
Brian Boru Harp Brian Boru (c. 940-1014) The last of the High
King's to lift Ireland out of the ruins of the Norse Age. He
rebuilt ruined churches, built others, he sent overseas to
replace lost books and artifacts and all that he possibly could
to heal the wounds of the past two centuries of Norse pillage.
One of the symbols most associated with Irieand is the Brian
Boru Harp. This Harp is now located in the Long room, at the
Trinity College Library, in Dublin. The harp is the national
symbol of Ireland.
Short Irish History:
Irelands Areas of Historical Interest: Interesting sites in
Ireland include: Bru na Boinne (Newgrange), Boyne Valley, Ceide
Fields, Clonmacnoise, Croagh Patrick, Dun Aengus, Glendalough,
Hill of Tara, Lough Derg, Skellig Michael, Rock of
Cashel.
Bru na Boinne "Boyne Palace": Ireland's Stonehenge One of
Ireland's most spectacular archaeological sites is located in
the Boyne Valley in County Meath. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth
were built around the same time that Stonehenge was erected in
England. These tombs were built around 3200 B.C., several
centuries before the great pyramids of Egypt. The exact reason
these sites were built is unknown, but one of their features, is
that they may have been used as an ancient form of solar
calendar. The Newgrange site was designed to catch the sun
during the winter solstice (December 19-23), the rising sun
shines thru a slit over the entrance, and lights up the burial
chamber for 17 minutes. At Dowth, the light of the setting sun
of the solstice illuminates one of the chambers. At Knowth, the
rising sun of the spring and autumn equinoxes lights the eastern
passage, while the setting sun may have caught the western
passage those days.
Clonmacnoise (Offaly) An early Christian monastic site founded
by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River
Shannon at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly. The
Clonmacnoise location borders the three provinces of Connaught,
Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the
River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but
occupying a position so central it was the burial-place of many
of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. The site
includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th
century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large
collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high
crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre.
Hill of Tara (Meath) Though best known as the seat of the High
Kings of Ireland. 142 kings are said to have reigned there in
prehistoric and historic times. The Hill of Tara has been an
important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was
constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a
political and religious centre in the early centuries after
Christ. Features of the Hill of Tara include the Mound of the
Hostages, the Stone of Destiny, and Ancient Standing Stones Rock
of Cashel (Tipperary) This was the seat of kings and mediaeval
bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th
century. A spectacular group of stone fort Medieval buildings
set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Features
include 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque
Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and
the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. The original forbidding
fortification of the Eoghanachta, kings of Munster. Brian Ború
was crowned King of Munster here in 977 and he became High King
of Ireland in 1002. He was the first high king to exact
universal and effective tribute from the other kings of Ireland.
Dun Aengus: Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus - Angus' Fort) The
mysterious structure of Dun Aengus is situated on the western
side of Inish Mór, one of the three Aran Islands (Oileáin
Árainn), stone outcrops, in the Atlantic thirty miles (48 kms)
west of Galway City. The islands, Inish Mór, Inishmann and
Inisheer have some of Europe's finest examples of pre-historic
and early Christian antiquities.Dun Aengus is a vast
fortification perched on the summit of a hill that rises
precipitously from the ocean to a height of 300 feet (100
meters). Half the site, consisting of three concentric
enclosures, has fallen into the sea, but what is left makes a
fascinating sight. The cliff edge at Cahercommoun in the Burren
is Early Christian and Dún Aonghasa is believed to be much
older. Dun Aengus has been estimated to have been built anywhere
from 900BC to 500C.
Glendalough (Wicklow) This early Christian monastic site was
founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated
valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb
round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.In the 6th
centaury St. Kevin founded a monastery and from this grew a
monastic city, which became famous as a centre of learning
throughout Europe. The spectacular Round Tower in the Monastic
City stands an impressive 34m high and 16m in circumference.The
tower was originally built as a bell tower and a place of refuge
when the monastery was attacked. There are many stone crosses
and churches to see. As well as these magnificent remains, there
is the breathtaking scenery of the valley to enjoy.
Croagh Patrick (Mayo) Is a holy mountain in Ireland, located in
south Mayo, 5 miles from Westport, and on Clew Bay. It is a
conical mountain that is said to be the place where St. Patrick
banished the snakes from Ireland. Today it is a pilgrimage spot,
where visitors from all over the world. It is said that St.
Patrick fasted for 40 days at the summit of the mountain. Croagh
Patrick is also known as the "Reek", and on "Reek Sunday", the
last Sunday in July, thousands come to follow the steps of
Patrick. Today, a church sits on the top of the "Reek". It is
said, that if you climb Croagh Patrick three times, you will
have earned yourself a place in heaven.
About the author:
Student of Ireland. Webmaster of http://celticdan.com
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