Ireland

By Alice White

IrelanIrelandd

The Shamrock

The flag of Ireland is green, white and orange. The greengreen represents CatholicsCatholics, the orangeorange is for ProtestantsProtestants, and the white symbolizes the hope for peace between the two groups.

The shamrock, a green clover, is the unofficial symbol of Ireland. St Patrick used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).

IrelandIreland

May the luck of the Irish be

with you.

Who was St. Patrick?Who was St. Patrick?St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.He converted many Irish to

Christianity in the fifth century.St. Patrick incorporated traditional

Celtic symbols, like the bonfire and the sun, into his Christian teachings.

St. Patrick died on March 17, 462.

St. Patrick’s Day is the saint’s feast day and has evolved from a religious holiday to a worldwide celebration.

St. Patrick’s Day SymbolsSt. Patrick’s Day Symbols

The Celtic Cross Celtic Cross – a sun (from the Celts) super-imposed on a

cross (from the Christians)

The shamrockshamrock, or “seamroy,” symbolizes the “rebirth of rebirth of springspring.” It was later adopted as a symbol of Irish nationalism.

The leprechaunleprechaun, or “lobaircin” was a cranky, “small-bodied fellow” of Celtic folklore, given its “cute” features and popularized in the United States by Walt Disney.

Leprechauns are little make-believe fairies that live in Ireland. They are the shoemakers for the fairies.

Ireland is west of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales). Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Ireland is across the Atlantic Ocean from the U.S.

It rains a lot in Ireland, making everything very green. It is called “The Emerald Isle.“The Emerald Isle.””

And – What does a typical Irish rainstorm look like?

The National Holiday is March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, named after the Patron Saint of Ireland.

Mary McAleese [President of Ireland]

McAleese is Ireland's second female president second female president and the world's first woman to succeed another woman as an elected head of head of statestate. She was first elected president in 1997 & won a second term, without a contest, in 2004. Her birth in BelfastBelfast means she is the first President to have come from Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland. She is a member of the Council of Women World LeadersCouncil of Women World Leaders.

SignSign – was inspired by the Greek letter epsilonGreek letter epsilon, in reference to the cradle cradle of of European civilizationEuropean civilizationand the first letter first letter of the word “Europe”“Europe”. Theparallel linesparallel lines represent the stability of the eurostability of the euro. 3. Eight denominations of euro coinsEight denominations of euro coins, eachhaving a common side and a national side.

Currency Currency [the Euro -7 Notes][the Euro -7 Notes]

1 cent 2 cents 5 cents1 cent 2 cents 5 cents

10 cents 20 cents 50 cents10 cents 20 cents 50 cents

1 Euro 2 Euro coin1 Euro 2 Euro coin

It can be seen on the presidential flag presidential flag and on the back of the Irish Euro coin. A Euro is worth

about $1.32.

                        

                       

Presidential FlagPresidential Flag

Castles and ruins are found all over Ireland.

Celtic music uses traditional instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran (Irish drum).

The End