| Ireland Features | | | | Patrick, Dun Aengus, Glendalough, Hill of Tara, |
| 05th January 2006 | | | | Lough Derg, Skellig Michael, Rock of Cashel. |
| Author: Bridget Regan | | | | Bru na Boinne "Boyne Palace": Ireland's |
| Features of Ireland Ireland: | | | | Stonehenge One of Ireland's most spectacular |
| Map and Location Island Location: Ireland is an | | | | archaeological sites is located in the Boyne Valley |
| island off western Europe in the Northern Atlantic | | | | in County Meath. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth |
| Ocean. Ireland is a divided country, with | | | | were built around the same time that Stonehenge |
| independent governments. | | | | was erected in England. These tombs were built |
| The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) | | | | around 3200 B.C., several centuries before the |
| occupies 5/6th of the island of Ireland Northern | | | | great pyramids of Egypt. The exact reason these |
| Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island and is a part | | | | sites were built is unknown, but one of their |
| of the United Kingdom. Capital(s) Republic of | | | | features, is that they may have been used as an |
| Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast Official | | | | ancient form of solar calendar. The Newgrange |
| languages: English and Gaelic. Size: The Republic of | | | | site was designed to catch the sun during the |
| Ireland covers 27,135 square miles (70,280 sq | | | | winter solstice (December 19-23), the rising sun |
| km).Population: The population of Ireland is about | | | | shines thru a slit over the entrance, and lights up |
| 3,689,000 (as of 2000). Climate: Ireland has a cool, | | | | the burial chamber for 17 minutes. At Dowth, the |
| often-cloudy climate. | | | | light of the setting sun of the solstice illuminates |
| Flag of Ireland The Republic of Ireland's flag is | | | | one of the chambers. At Knowth, the rising sun |
| tricolor, and is made of three equal-sized | | | | of the spring and autumn equinoxes lights the |
| rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is | | | | eastern passage, while the setting sun may have |
| twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the | | | | caught the western passage those days. |
| flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. Colors in | | | | Clonmacnoise (Offaly) An early Christian monastic |
| the flag represent the native population and | | | | site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on |
| religious beliefs in Ireland.Green: Signifies the native | | | | the banks of the River Shannon at the |
| people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman | | | | crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly. The |
| Catholic). Orange: Represents the British | | | | Clonmacnoise location borders the three provinces |
| supporters of William of Orange who settled in | | | | of Connaught, Munster and Leinster. The |
| Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of | | | | monastery is on the east side of the River |
| whom are Protestant). White: White occupies the | | | | Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of |
| center of the flag and signifies peace between | | | | Meath, but occupying a position so central it was |
| these two groups of people. | | | | the burial-place of many of the kings of |
| Irish Provinces: Commonly known as the Four | | | | Connaught as well as those of Tara. The site |
| Green Fields of Ireland. Irelands 4 provinces. | | | | includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches |
| Connacht is the north-western province of Ireland, | | | | (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high |
| comprising the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, | | | | crosses and a large collection of early Christian |
| Leitrim and Roscommon. Leinster is the eastern | | | | grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave |
| province of Ireland, comprising the counties of | | | | slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. |
| Louth, Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, | | | | Hill of Tara (Meath) Though best known as the |
| Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath and | | | | seat of the High Kings of Ireland. 142 kings are |
| Longford. Munster is the southernmost province | | | | said to have reigned there in prehistoric and |
| of Ireland, comprising the counties of Claire, Cork, | | | | historic times. The Hill of Tara has been an |
| Kerry, Limerick, Tipperrary, and Waterford. Ulster | | | | important site since the late Stone Age when a |
| forms one of the historical provinces of Ireland. | | | | passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was |
| Six of its Nine counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, | | | | at the height of its power as a political and |
| Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone, are known | | | | religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. |
| together as Northern Ireland. Three counties | | | | Features of the Hill of Tara include the Mound of |
| Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan, are part of the | | | | the Hostages, the Stone of Destiny, and Ancient |
| Republic of Ireland. | | | | Standing Stones Rock of Cashel (Tipperary) This |
| Irish Identifiable: | | | | was the seat of kings and mediaeval bishops for |
| Claddagh: The Friendship, Lovea and Loyalty | | | | 900 years and flourished until the early 17th |
| Symbol or Ireland The Claddagh design is said to | | | | century. A spectacular group of stone fort |
| originate from the Galway Area, and the Aran | | | | Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone |
| Islands. The Claddagh ring was originally worn by | | | | in the Golden Vale. Features include 12th century |
| men, but later used as a Marriage Ring for Men | | | | round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, |
| and Women. The symbol is comprised of 2 hands, | | | | 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle |
| a heart and a crown.The hands symbolize the 2 | | | | and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. The |
| parties involved. The heart is the seat of affection | | | | original forbidding fortification of the Eoghanachta, |
| or love. And the crown perfection. So, a perfect | | | | kings of Munster. Brian Ború was crowned |
| union of love between 2 parties. Common word | | | | King of Munster here in 977 and he became High |
| translations to the Claddagh are: Friendship | | | | King of Ireland in 1002. He was the first high king |
| (hands), Love (heart) and Loyalty (crown). | | | | to exact universal and effective tribute from the |
| Harp Emblem: Its Importance in Irish History The | | | | other kings of Ireland. |
| harp symbol has been recognized as the emblem | | | | Dun Aengus: Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus - |
| of Ireland since the 13th century. It was officially | | | | Angus' Fort) The mysterious structure of Dun |
| adopted as Ireland's national symbol when the | | | | Aengus is situated on the western side of Inish |
| Irish Free State was created in 1922. The most | | | | Mór, one of the three Aran Islands |
| famous Harp of Ireland is the Brian Boru harp | | | | (Oileáin Ãrainn), stone outcrops, in the |
| which is located at the Trinity College in Dublin. | | | | Atlantic thirty miles (48 kms) west of Galway |
| The Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp, | | | | City. The islands, Inish Mór, Inishmann and |
| and is the model used for the State emblem. | | | | Inisheer have some of Europe's finest examples |
| Trinity Symbol: The Trinity Symbol is an ancient | | | | of pre-historic and early Christian antiquities.Dun |
| Celtic design. The Trinity emblem is an ancient | | | | Aengus is a vast fortification perched on the |
| symbol for a high spiritual dignity. In the Christian | | | | summit of a hill that rises precipitously from the |
| faith, it represents the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, | | | | ocean to a height of 300 feet (100 meters). Half |
| and Holy Spirit. The Trinity symbol has been | | | | the site, consisting of three concentric enclosures, |
| inscribed in stone, and also has been colored. Red | | | | has fallen into the sea, but what is left makes a |
| for power, faith, language and sacrifice. Blue | | | | fascinating sight. The cliff edge at Cahercommoun |
| -represents faith and trust. Green -color of the | | | | in the Burren is Early Christian and Dún |
| plants and trees, suggests hope of life eternal. | | | | Aonghasa is believed to be much older. Dun |
| Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is possibly the best | | | | Aengus has been estimated to have been built |
| known symbol of Early Christianity in Ireland. The | | | | anywhere from 900BC to 500C. |
| High Celtic Cross is a self contained monument, | | | | Glendalough (Wicklow) This early Christian |
| and are as high as 20 feet. They are generally | | | | monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th |
| made of sandstone, and their main characteristic | | | | century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, |
| feature is a circle connecting the arms. The rings | | | | the monastic remains include a superb round |
| around the high cross may have been a symbol | | | | tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.In |
| of the cosmos, and at the center is the | | | | the 6th centaury St. Kevin founded a monastery |
| Crucificition of Christ. Or, the ring may have been | | | | and from this grew a monastic city, which |
| a structural piece, to prevent the arms of the | | | | became famous as a centre of learning |
| cross from snapping off. There are many | | | | throughout Europe. The spectacular Round Tower |
| decorations on the crosses many including scenes | | | | in the Monastic City stands an impressive 34m |
| from the bible, while others feature animal | | | | high and 16m in circumference.The tower was |
| Interlace, and scroll work. The crosses at | | | | originally built as a bell tower and a place of refuge |
| Monasterboise and Cross of Scriptures, | | | | when the monastery was attacked. There are |
| Clonmacnoise are good examples for the | | | | many stone crosses and churches to see. As well |
| traditional Celtic Cross. | | | | as these magnificent remains, there is the |
| Irish Famous: | | | | breathtaking scenery of the valley to enjoy. |
| Brian Boru Harp Brian Boru (c. 940-1014) The last | | | | Croagh Patrick (Mayo) Is a holy mountain in |
| of the High King's to lift Ireland out of the ruins of | | | | Ireland, located in south Mayo, 5 miles from |
| the Norse Age. He rebuilt ruined churches, built | | | | Westport, and on Clew Bay. It is a conical |
| others, he sent overseas to replace lost books | | | | mountain that is said to be the place where St. |
| and artifacts and all that he possibly could to heal | | | | Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Today it |
| the wounds of the past two centuries of Norse | | | | is a pilgrimage spot, where visitors from all over |
| pillage. One of the symbols most associated with | | | | the world. It is said that St. Patrick fasted for 40 |
| Irieand is the Brian Boru Harp. This Harp is now | | | | days at the summit of the mountain. Croagh |
| located in the Long room, at the Trinity College | | | | Patrick is also known as the "Reek", and on "Reek |
| Library, in Dublin. The harp is the national symbol | | | | Sunday", the last Sunday in July, thousands come |
| of Ireland. | | | | to follow the steps of Patrick. Today, a church |
| Short Irish History: | | | | sits on the top of the "Reek". It is said, that if |
| Irelands Areas of Historical Interest: Interesting | | | | you climb Croagh Patrick three times, you will |
| sites in Ireland include: Bru na Boinne (Newgrange), | | | | have earned yourself a place in heaven. |
| Boyne Valley, Ceide Fields, Clonmacnoise, Croagh | | | | |