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 Ireland

A 1 minute Irish History….

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that

began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the

Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven

centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions.

A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare

that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern

(Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British

Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have

sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist

groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is being implemented with some difficulties.

In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews

Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.

Fact file:

  • Population 4.2 million; Dublin 490 000

 

  • One of Irelands most popular radio shows is the weekly – and in some parts – daily obituaries.

 

  • Over 60 Gaelic-speaking schools opended in Ireland in the last 10 years

 

  • There are 8 times as many Polish speakers in Ireland as there are Gaelic speakers

 

  • Northern Ireland was listed as a ‘Must See’ destination by lonely planet in 2007

 

  • The first divorce ever granted in Ireland was in 1997

 

  • There are more cell phones in Ireland than people

 

  • The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia. A village in County

              Galway. It means pig-marsh between 2 seas – or briny inlets – I prefer the 1st one..