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IRELAND – The Emerald Isle
Danny Boy Ireland
Irish Dance Group - Irish Step Dancing 2009
Map of Ireland - 1808
The Republic of IrelandGeography
• Is the second largest island on the British Isles and in Europe.
• Lies on the west side of the Irish Sea, close to the island of Great Britain.
• Green valleys, charming villages, old Norman or Gaelic castles, enchanting coastlines, beautiful golden beaches and dramatic waterfalls mixed with Gaelic language and music and Celtic myth and saga – that is Ireland.
The Emerald Isle
• Ireland is often called the Green Island or the Emerald Isle because of its numerous shades of green.
Numerous Shades of Green
• Enchanting coastline• Beautiful and dramatic
waterfall
Key Events in the History of Ireland
Celtic Tribes throughout Europe
•
•
• About 2,500 years ago the Celts invaded Ireland.
• The Celts formed small kingdoms each ruled by a king.
Celtic Art and Traditions
• Celtic art and traditions developed because the Romans never invaded Ireland.
Ten Celtic Knots
How to Tie the Celtic Heart Knot by TIAT (A Knotty Valentine)
The Vikings
• In the 8th century Ireland’s peace was broken by a wave of new conquerors – the Vikings.
• They came sailing over the sea from Scandinavia from Norway.
• The Norwegian Vikings stayed in Ireland for a long time, and they ruled Dublin until the English arrived in 1170.
The British
• The English king decided to invade Ireland in 1170.
• Some say that this is when the troubled history between Ireland and England really began.
• From then on many English and Scots settled in Ireland.
• The Irish fought back for 500 years but finally had to give up in 1690.
Wars between Britain and Ireland
• BRITISH
• PROTESTANTS
• RICH
• IRISH
• CATHOLICS
• POOR
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2 (with lyrics)
In 1921 Ireland was divided into two parts:
• Northern Ireland (Ulster)• Capital: Belfast• Northern Ireland is still
part of the United Kingdom.
• The Republic of Ireland (Eire)
• Capital: Dublin• Today Eire is an
independent country.
A Map of Ireland Today• The Republic of
Ireland (Eire)
• Northern Ireland (Ulster)
Ireland and NorwayWhat do these countries have in
common?
• Both countries have been extremely poor.• Both countries ate potatoes to keep from starving to
death.• A large number of people from both countries
immigrated to the USA. Today there are four times as many Irish living in the US as there are in Ireland. And there are about just as many Norwegians living in the US as there are in Norway.
The Potato Famine
1845 - 1847
• Many Irish were very poor. They had to give all their money to their landlords.
• They lived on a diet of potatoes or praties.
• Between 1845 and 1847, a terrible plant disease killed the potato crops.
• Nearly a million people died.• Another million left Ireland
and emigrated.
Maps of the Counties of
Ireland
• Some of these place names can be recognized in the USA.
• The leprechaun has been described as Ireland’s national fairy.
• Leprechauns have become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure burying it in crocks or pots.
• Leprechauns tend to avoid contact with humans.
St. Patrick
• The patron saint of Ireland.• Born in Wales about AD 385.• He was sold into slavery by a group
of English marauders that raided his village . During his captivity, he became closer to God. He escaped.
• His wish was to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity which he did.
• He died on March 17 in AD 461.
• Ever since St. Patrick died the day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day.
• The traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. Some say that Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
• Today people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer.
• The St. Patrick’s Day custom came to America in 1737.
Irish Dancing on What Now
Molly Malone (Cockles & Mussels) with lyrics
Molly Malone
