Ireland: introduction to irish people, country & culture

	Study, work or travel in the UK. British culture and life.
Homepage	Search	A-Z index	Message Board	Contact us
Britain	Course	Life	Work	Links
English	Prepare	Personal	Travel	Ideas





< Up	Britain / Countries / Ireland
An introduction to Ireland


Sections:	Introduction
	Northern Ireland
	Irish Republic
	Irish culture
	Further information
	Links

Related pages:	England; Scotland; Wales

INTRODUCTION

Map of Ireland

Northern Ireland (shown in red)
Population (2001): 1.7 million
Area: 14,000 square kilometres
Capital city: Belfast
Currency: British Pound (GBP, Pounds Sterling)

Irish Republic (shown in green)
Population (2001): 3.8 million
Area: 70,000 square kilometres
Capital city: Dublin
Currency: Euro (EUR)

Ireland is a large island off the west coast of Britain. Since 1921 it has been divided into two countries: Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: Ireland
(travel guide book)
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Date: February 2007

Ireland (Lonely Planet Country Guide)
(travel guide book)
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Date: January 2006

NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The currency used here is the British pound. The capital city is Belfast.

The Big Fish in Belfast

City Hall, Belfast

A large part of Northern Ireland is agricultural land, and it has a long and beautiful coast. One of the most famous sights in Northern Ireland is the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim.

Part of the Antrim coastline

Giant's Causeway

Some well-known people born in Northern Ireland include the footballer George Best, the actor/director Kenneth Branagh, actor Liam Neeson, the musician James Galway, singer/songwriter Van Morrison, the poet Seamus Heaney, and the author C.S. Lewis. The ship The Titanic was built in Belfast.

Belfast and the North of Ireland
(Insight Compact Guides)
Publisher: APA Publications Pte Ltd
Date: Jun 2006

Belfast and the North of Ireland
Author: Sean Sheehan
Publisher: Footprint Handbooks
Date: April 2005

IRISH REPUBLIC

The Irish Republic is an independent country - it is not part of the United Kingdom. The currency used here is the euro. Most people follow the Catholic religion. The capital city is Dublin.

Back to top

IRISH CULTURE

Many famous writers have come from Irealnd, including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, George Bernard-Shaw, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.

Some famous Irish writers

Ireland is famous for its music, dancing and arts. The Irish harp is one famous traditional musical instrument.

Irish dancing

Irish harp

Musicians often play in public places

English is the main language used throughout Ireland (spoken with an Irish accent). The traditional Gaelic language is spoken mainly in areas along the west coast.

The patron saint of Ireland is Saint Patrick. St Patrick's Day is celebrated in the middle of March each year.

Back to top

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about Northern Ireland, see:
Northern Irish Tourist Board: http://www.discovernorthernireland.com
BBC Northern Ireland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland

For more information about the Irish Republic, see:
Irish Tourist Board: http://www.ireland.ie

Back to top

LINKS

Photos from St Patrick's Day: Ideas/Album/StPatricksDay
Guide to Dublin for visitors: Travel/Tours/Ireland/Dublin
Irish and other form of dancing: Life/Entertainment/Dance
Take a ferry to Ireland from Britain: Travel/Transport/Ferry
British/Irish pop music: Britain/Music
Useful links for Irish people in Britain: Links/Ireland

Home page: Home

Back to top

© UK Student Life 2002-2009

* Search this website (www.ukstudentlife.com) or the web: