Ireland what a country. Religious affiliation of the population? Architecture and fine arts

26.07.2019

Ireland is amazing country, called the “Emerald Isle” precisely because it is full of natural resources. This is a country with a small area. It is somewhat reminiscent of the UK with its left-hand streets and double-decker buses.

Capital of Ireland?

The majority of Ireland's population lives in its capital, Dublin. In turn, it is considered one of the most interesting cities on the planet. Dublin is a county located in a bay of the Irish Sea. It is the main port city, as well as the center of cultural and political life of the country.

Official language?

There are two official languages in the country - English and Irish. However, on the streets you will only hear English spoken, as Irish is spoken by a small part of the population, only about 38%. Irish is considered an endangered language, so the Irish government is trying hard to counteract it and popularize it with the help of the media - in the country there are many television and radio channels and programs broadcast in Irish.

Currency?

You can safely take euros with you on vacation, as this is the official currency of Ireland. In some large shops and tourist centers you can also pay in dollars or pounds sterling, but they are accepted at a not very favorable rate.

Timezone?

The time difference with Belarus in summer is 3 hours. This means that if it is noon in Minsk, then in Dublin it is only 9 o’clock in the morning. In Ireland, the clocks are changed twice a year. This means that on March 25th at midnight the clocks will be moved forward by 1 hour, and on October 25th they will be moved back an hour.

Climate?

Ireland's climate can be described as temperate maritime. Part of the country's coastline is washed by the warm Gulf Stream. That's why all year round Comfortable temperatures prevail here - summers are not hot, and winters are mild and not too cold. However, Ireland cannot boast of stable weather. At any time it can start to rain and then suddenly change to sunshine.

Average monthly air and water temperatures in Ireland, °C

Jan

Feb

March

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

But I

Dec

During the day

+11

+14

+16

+17

+18

+16

+12

At night

+10

+13

+14

+12

Water

+12

+14

+13

+12

What time of year is best to visit the country?

Most favorable times Visiting Ireland is considered to be from July to September. Since it is at this time that the days are long and therefore many establishments are open late. Of course this is the most popular time for beach holiday and for sightseeing. Besides, in summer period no sweltering heat. However, summer is the peak tourist season and, accordingly, prices in the country rise significantly.

Economic situation?

Ireland has developed energy, chemistry, and metallurgy industries. The country is also involved in mechanical engineering, food and furniture industries. The mild, humid climate allows for raising livestock and growing crops such as wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar beets. Ireland also has small deposits of minerals such as ore, natural gas, and peat. Fishing is also developed in the country.

Political situation?

The country is calm and stable political situation, which has a beneficial effect on the development of tourism. Overall, Ireland can be considered one of the safest places to travel in Europe.

Religious affiliation of the population?

Religion in the country is represented mostly by Catholics. There are about 96% of them. Approximately 3% of the population is Protestant, and only 1% are other religions. However, the role of the church in Everyday life Irish people are very large. The Irish simply cannot imagine their day without going to church on Sunday.

Customs rules and regulations?

The import of national currency into the country is not limited, but only an amount equivalent to 190 euros is allowed to be exported.
If you are coming from a non-EU country, then per adult you are allowed to bring no more than two hundred cigarettes, or one hundred small cigars, or fifty cigars, or two hundred and fifty grams of tobacco; one liter of alcohol with a strength of over 22% or two liters of alcohol with a strength of up to 22%; up to 250 ml of eau de toilette; personal goods in the amount of 175 euros per adult and 90 euros for a minor child.
The country has a law banning the import of meat and dairy products, as well as narcotic and toxic substances, weapons, ammunition and explosive products.

Visa?

To visit Ireland you will need to obtain a visa from the embassy.
To do this, you need to have the following documents with you:
Passport valid for at least 6 months before the visa expiration date, as well as a copy of its last and penultimate page
2 color matte photographs size 3.5 X 4.5
Application form filled out in English
Certificate from work with the seal and signature of the manager. It must indicate the place of work, position, salary, company contacts and work telephone numbers.
Bank statement confirming the availability of funds in the account
Hotel reservation and air ticket
You also need to write a document agreeing to carry out all the necessary actions to open a visa.
All documents must be in English, or translated into English and certified by a notary. In addition to this, it will be necessary to provide originals and copies of the same documents in the original language.

Main attractions?

Trinity College in Dublin is a Victorian-style college and is the most important educational institution in the country. There is also a library here, which contains the oldest Christian manuscript - the “Book of the Celts”.
You can also visit Dublin Prison and the most famous castle in the country - Blarney. In the castle there is a witch's stone, according to legend, given by a witch to St. Patrick, which every tourist must kiss as a sign of respect for the traditions of Ireland
Bunratty Castle was built several centuries ago. The castle has a throne room where theatrical performances are held every day.
The Rock of Cashel is the ruins of a majestic fortress that was burned in the 17th century
The Ring of Carrie is the pearl of Ireland, a place with the most picturesque nature. This is the coast in the southwest of the country.
The Cliffs of Moher are an international landmark. It is a seven-kilometer row of almost identical rectangular rocks rising above the ocean.

Holidays and festivals?

Special holidays in Ireland are:
March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, who is the patron saint of this country
October 31st – Halloween. All Saints' Night, on which it is customary to dress in costumes, go from house to house and beg for sweets.
December 25 – Christmas.

What should you visit first?

If you find yourself in Ireland, then first of all we recommend that you visit Newgrange - this is a mystical and mysterious city. It is located a few kilometers from Dublin. There are several giant stone slabs here, the origin of which no one has yet been able to explain. Every year on the day of the spring solstice, a ray of sun enters the hole in one of the slabs and begins to give off an amber color. Every year a huge number of tourists come to admire this phenomenon.

National cuisine?

The main ingredients in national Irish cuisine are meat and potatoes. Here you should definitely try Irish stew made from lamb with potatoes, black and white pudding - pork skin sausage with or without blood, boxty - grated potato pancakes, somewhat reminiscent of our shingles.
One of the most popular desserts in Ireland is Guinness pie - a fruit pie made with dark Guinness beer.
The most preferred non-alcoholic drink is tea - the Irish drink it a lot and often.
Alcoholic drinks deserve special attention - Guinness beer or Stout. The country also produces about 100 varieties of real Irish whiskey, the most famous of which are Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, Jameson and Locke’s.

How much is it customary to tip in the country you are visiting?

Typically, in bars, cafes and restaurants, tips are already included in the bill and amount to 10%. If tips are not included, then you can leave the waiter or bartender about 10%. In Ireland, it is also customary for taxi drivers to leave a tip, also about 10% of the total amount.

Where can I exchange money?

If you come to Ireland and need to exchange money, you can do this at the airport, banks, hotels, travel agencies or at an exchange office. It is worth remembering that you may be refused to exchange a $100 bill due to security reasons. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and if you need to withdraw a certain amount of money from your card. This can be done through an ATM, which are present everywhere.

Until what time are shops, bars, cafes, restaurants open?

Banking hours are Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:30.
Stores in the country are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00. On weekends many shopping centers open until 21:00.

What are the popular resorts in the country?

Monart Spa Resort - here you can be alone with nature, away from the bustle of a noisy city
Dublin is the capital and historical center of Ireland, rich in numerous historical attractions. It is also the island's largest port.
Killarney is a small town located on the border of the national park. The heart of the city is three lakes: Upper, Lower and Middle
Cork is the most famous resort Ireland. This is where the jazz festival takes place every year. It is also the bohemian capital of Ireland
Galway attracts visitors with its ancient architecture. The town is also famous for its Aquarium.

Crime situation?

As previously reported, Ireland is a safe country, but there are occasional cases of petty pickpocketing. Crime is rare, but racist attacks have been reported in some places, so tourists are still advised to avoid poorly lit areas, especially in major cities. We do not recommend carrying your passport with you, and large sums money and valuables. It is best to leave such items in the hotel safe.

Ireland, the “Emerald Isle”, one of the most attractive and mysterious European countries. A country of fairies and elves, fiery revolutionaries and paradoxical writers, romantic legends and pragmatic whiskey producers...
Ireland is one of the oldest countries in Europe, which has perfectly preserved its culture and historical heritage - despite the difficult fate - after all, the territory of Ireland is still divided between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain...

Ireland - Republic of Ireland, Poblacht na hÉireann in Irish, Republic of Ireland in English - occupies most of the island of the same name. The name comes from the Irish word Éire, meaning "state".

In addition to the Republic of Ireland, there is also Northern Ireland, Tuaisceart Eireann or Northern Ireland. It is an administrative and political unit of the United Kingdom with its capital in the city of Belfast. It includes 6 of the 9 counties of the historical province of Ulster.

Administratively the Republic of Ireland divided into 4 historical provinces - Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht; and those, in turn, into 26 counties. 20 counties belong to the independent Republic, 6 - Northern Ireland.

The independence of the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed in 1949, and in 1973 the country joined the European Union.
Ireland is a parliamentary republic, its Parliament consists of two chambers - representatives and the Senate. Executive power belongs to the president, elected for 7 years, and in fact to the prime minister, approved by the president.

Island of Ireland, by the way, the third largest among the European islands, located in the northern part Atlantic Ocean; from the east it is also washed by the Irish Sea.
Accordingly, the climate of Ireland is temperate maritime, with mild winters and cool summers, with significant amount precipitation - which made Ireland the “emerald isle”.
The warmest month of the year is July, with an average air temperature of + 18-20 C. The coldest is January, with an average monthly temperature of minus 9 degrees Celsius.

The capital of country- city Dublin, with a population of just over one and a half million people.
Dublin is a city-county located on Dublin Bay on the Irish Sea. Being the center of political, cultural and economic life in Ireland, Dublin is also the main port city of the country.
The most popular version of the etymology of the city's name is "Black Pool", and the modern Irish name for the capital is Baile Átha Cliath, or BÁC for short, meaning "settlement at the ford" (the River Liffey, which flows into Dublin Bay). We'll talk more about Dublin below when describing the country's attractions.

The second largest city in the country is Cork, it is home to about 200,000 people (including suburbs).
Yet Irish population is, according to 2006 data, just over 4.2 million people. Of these, the majority - over 88% - are "native Irish" of Celtic origin. National minorities are represented by another 40 nationalities, among which, for obvious reasons, the British are in the lead - 2.74% of the population. Next come the Poles - 1.5%, an honorable third place, less than 1%, went to the Lithuanians.

Time in Ireland is 3 hours behind Moscow.
National currency- euro
Official languages of Ireland- Irish and English.

Religion in Ireland traditionally plays an important role in public life. The main religion is Catholicism; followed by Protestantism. Northern Ireland, which remains in British possession, has a predominantly Protestant population.

Cities and sights of Ireland
The center and heart of the country is its capital, elegant Dublin.
It is believed that the city was founded in 841 by the Scandinavians, where the River Liffey flows into Dublin Bay. But the first mention of a Celtic settlement on this site dates back to the middle of the 2nd century AD and belongs to the Greek astronomer and geographer Ptolemy.

One of the first English invasions of Ireland dates back to 1169, when Dublin, after its capture by Henry II Plantagenet, became a royal city for a long time and a stronghold of English influence in the country. Since then, the city has preserved several architectural landmarks - first of all, of course, Dublin Castle, which housed the English government. Not far from it are the Cathedral of St. Patrick's, Christ's Cathedral and St. Audina.

Among other architectural and historical sights of Dublin, Blackrock House, the summer residence of the Irish viceroys, should be canceled; obelisk in honor of the Duke of Wellington; the Fifteen Acres area is the site of noble duels; a labyrinth of old streets around Temple Bar, the center of Georgian architecture in the areas of Marriott Square, Ely Plate... And, of course, the main street of the city - O'Connall Street - repeatedly destroyed and restored, a motley mixture of architectural styles and eras.

Dublin boasts some of the richest cultural traditions. It’s not for nothing that so many famous English-language writers were born here: Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, William Yates, Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift and even the creator of “Dracula” Bram Stoker! Dubliners are proud of their famous countrymen and honor them - for example, on June 16, the city's residents annually celebrate Bloomsday, a holiday dedicated to the main character of James Joyce's novel Ulysses.
The city is home to the National Library of Ireland and the National Printing Museum, the Civic Museum and museums of national and contemporary art, many theatres, exhibition and concert halls, the Trinity College complex and the Royal Irish Yacht Club...

Other attractions of Ireland are, first of all, medieval castles, amazing nature countries and the world-famous place of Newgrange - a megalithic religious building, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza.

Many ancient castles now house national parks, cultural or tourist organizations, including 4-5 star hotels. For example, the estate of Earl Muckross, now Muckross National Park. Or Cabra Castle in County Cavan - now it's not just a hotel, but a haunted hotel! And in the castle of Earl Thomond (Bunratty, County Clare) medieval banquets for tourists are often held - but keep in mind that not only the food, but also the serving will be medieval, that is, you will have to eat with your hands...

Limerick is famous not only for its comic quintets, but also for its 800-year-old royal castle, and the city cathedral - the same age as the castle... Residents of the seaside town of Dingle speak only their native Gaelic, willingly study Celtic culture, and in the city itself there are many fish restaurants on the ocean shore, offering delicious local dishes from freshly caught fish...

Irish cuisine
Here we smoothly move on to the culinary topic. Irish cuisine is the cuisine of a country that has remained poor for most of its history. Therefore, it is simple and resourceful in using the main food product - potatoes.
Potato pancakes (boxty), mashed potatoes with green onions, butter and milk (champ), mashed cabbage, potato bread (potato bread) - this is far from full list various potato dishes known to the Irish.
Milk and dairy products are widely used by the Irish, although until the 80s of the last century, the only type of cheese in Ireland was cheddar. One of the traditional dairy dishes is Goody - bread boiled in milk with sugar and spices.
Popular meat dishes: Irish stew - stewed lamb with onions and yes, potatoes; Crubeens - boiled, pre-salted, pork leg; bacon stewed with cabbage...

Perhaps Irish cuisine will seem rustic to some. But the Irish took revenge in the field of drinks! Irish whiskey, Irish beer - there is not a person who does not know Guinness or Kilkenny, has not heard the name Bushmills at least once or has not tried Irish coffee... And the famous Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur and its less famous, but no less tasty "brothers": Carolans Irish Cream, O"Gradey"s Country Cream... And the Irish also have apple cider and their own moonshine - Potin, made from malt or potatoes. Yes, Ireland is worth visiting just to taste its exquisite drinks at the place of their production!

Irish Holidays
March 17 is the day of St. Patrick, the educator of Ireland and, according to legend, the creator of whiskey - the country's main national holiday. Green Ireland also owes the shamrock as a symbol to this saint - with the help of the clover shamrock, the enlightener explained to the people the concept of the Holy Trinity.
On this day, it is customary to prepare traditional Irish dishes, as well as Shamrock Cake, washed down with a lot of whiskey,

Customs regulations (information from the Travel ru website): The import and export of currency is not limited, standard weapons, drugs, and pornography are prohibited. When importing medications, you must have a prescription issued by a doctor. Imported cigarettes are not subject to duty - up to 200 pcs., alcoholic drinks - with a strength of over 22% - up to 1 liter, less - up to 2 liters; perfumes up to 50 ml and personal items. Attention: current changes in customs regulations must be clarified immediately before your trip!

Website of the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in Russia: www. dfa.ie/home

When preparing the article, the following sites were used: wikipedia, travel ru, gastronom ru, veter-s.ru

Republic of Ireland.

The name of the country comes from the Irish Eire - "western country".

Capital of Ireland. Dublin.

Area of Ireland. 70285 km2.

Population of Ireland. 3841 thousand people

Location of Ireland. The country is located in the northwest and occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland. Washed by waters.

Administrative divisions of Ireland. Ireland includes the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connaught, as well as part of the province of Ulster. Most of Ulster belongs to Northern Ireland, which is an integral part. Divided into 26 counties. The cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Dun Lary are separated into independent administrative units.

Irish form of government. Republic.

Head of State of Ireland. President, elected for a term of 7 years.

Highest legislative body of Ireland. Bicameral parliament.

Higher executive agency Ireland. Coalition government.

Major cities in Ireland. Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford.

Official language of Ireland. Irish (Gaelic is a revived language of the country's indigenous inhabitants, which is still spoken by a minority), English. Religion. 93% - , 4% - Protestants.

Ethnic composition of Ireland. 98% are Irish, 2% are English and Scots.

Currency of Ireland. Euro = 100 cents.

Rivers and lakes of Ireland. Due to the large size of Ireland, a dense network of rivers has formed, and... The most significant river is the Shannon, which crosses the country from east to west. do not freeze, are full of water and navigable.

Sights of Ireland. In Dublin - National Museum with period exhibits early Christianity, National Gallery, the 12th century castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Gothic Christchurch Church of the 11th-13th centuries, the famous Blarney stone, by kissing which, according to legend, you can receive a special gift of seduction of persons of the opposite sex.

Useful information for tourists

Alcoholic drinks, including beer, are sold only in retail outlets that have special licenses for this (“Off Licence”).

Airports and train stations in Ireland are not served by porters.

Hotels and restaurants, as a rule, add 10-12% to the bill to pay for services; in establishments of a lower class, tips are usually not given. Car traffic is on the left.

Dublin buses are double-decker and painted green. You can purchase your ticket from the driver and offer various discounts on pre-paid tickets for periods ranging from one day to one month, as well as on the number of trips. There are also special discounts on train and bus tickets; with such a ticket you can travel around Ireland for 5-8 days on both buses and trains.

Official language Form of government

Counties [ | ]

Education in Northern Ireland[ | ]

Before the formation of such a region as Northern Ireland in 1922, a system of national school education operated in the counties, which extended throughout the territory of Ireland. A distinctive feature of this system was the provision of basic school education all inhabitants of the region: Catholics and Protestants equally. Education was to be carried out in unified schools. Such a system, being by far the most rational for the given composition of society, in practice had tangible problems - representatives of the main religious movements, that is, Catholics and Protestants, prevented its implementation, which subsequently led to the fact that in most of the territory of Ireland, separate schools began to predominate. faith-based education. After the division of the island, significant attempts were made to resolve existing system in order to ensure joint education of Protestants and Catholics, but constant tension and confrontation among the population led to an even greater increase in the influence of the clergy on education, which only consolidated and approved the division in educational process. And even the 1947 government change, which changed the curriculum and funding system, did not make significant changes to the current situation.

In 1981, the first integrated school in Northern Ireland opened in Belfast and began the spread of integrated schools throughout the region. The growth of the integrated sector in the region became one of the most significant educational events of the 1980s, but this process did not meet with tangible support from the government, parties, and especially from the church, which, on the contrary, in every possible way prevented their education, such schools faced significant financial problems. As a result, organizations such as BELTIE were created to help establish and maintain new schools. the Belfast Trust for Integrated Education- Belfast Foundation for Integrated Education) and NICIE (English) the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education- Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education); In 2008, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a bill that highlighted the solution to the problem of integrated education, the problems of managing the education sector and education financing as part of the education development strategy for 2008-2018. In total, it was planned to invest about 714.5 million in education during this time. Such measures include the following: ensuring and developing the sphere of integrated education by supporting integrated schools, ensuring their accessibility, and promoting the creation of integrated parent committees. Separate measures were envisaged as part of changes to the curriculum. This includes the education of school courses studying religion and the basic traditions of all living ethno-religious groups, and also stipulates the study of history and literature, avoiding bias in their presentation.

Access to education[ | ]

In terms of access to education, research reflects a situation in which, despite a higher proportion of Catholic children, there are fewer Catholic schools than Protestant schools. As a result, approximately 8% of Catholics attend Protestant secondary schools. This may be one of the prerequisites for the fact that much large quantity Protestant students continue their studies at universities and have higher qualifications. Such features entail the process of formation of social classes in accordance with religious affiliation. Thus, 46% of ordinary workers are Catholics, 54% are Protestants. In a row more qualified specialists: 72% Protestants and 28% Catholics. Currently [ ] from total number There are 321,830 schoolchildren, 163,371 are Catholics and 121,239 Protestants. As for integrated schools, currently [ ] of the approximately 400 schools in Northern Ireland there are only 61 integrated high school.

Significant evidence in favor of integrated schools comes from a 2008 Northern Ireland survey in which 84% of those surveyed believed that integrated education was important to the region's reconciliation process.

Religion [ | ]

Religious confrontation began to develop in the 12th century, when the Normans first appeared in Ireland and subsequently founded the Pale colony. Gradually, to end of the XVI century, English rule was established throughout Ireland. The Reformation and confiscation of monastic lands in the late 30s of the 16th century were also accompanied by the confiscation of the lands of the Irish and their transfer to the English colonists. At this time, religious persecution caused more and more uprisings throughout Ireland. In the 17th century, religious dominance was already officially consolidated: William of Orange proclaimed Protestantism the state religion. As a result of all the innovations, Catholics were deprived of the right to purchase and lease land, the right to educate children and were forced to pay huge taxes to maintain the Anglican Church. In such an acute religious situation, Catholics began to unite to defend their rights. For example, in 1775 the “Catholic League” was founded; later, already in 1823, the “Catholic Association” was created, the purpose of which was also the emancipation of Catholics. The “Association” achieved the signing of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 1829, which allowed Catholics to occupy government positions. At the end of the 20th century, due to the aggravation of the situation and the introduction of direct rule in the region in 1972, the government tried to take a number of measures to improve interreligious relations. In particular, in 1973, a Government Act was issued, which stipulated measures to combat racial and religious discrimination in various fields life of the population: in education, when hiring, when performing representative functions. The Act provided for the formation of a Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights, a Civil Complaints Tribunal to hear possible cases of discrimination, and the establishment of a number of separate positions to ensure equal treatment for Protestants and Catholics in the region.

Data from a sociological survey conducted among Protestants and Catholics in 1996 on the question of whether the Northern Ireland region should belong to Great Britain or Ireland showed that 90% of Protestants wanted to remain part of the UK, while only 6% were in favor of unification with the Republic of Ireland. As for the Catholic population, only 24% were in favor of keeping the region within the United Kingdom, and 60% wanted to join Ireland. It is also worth noting the high degree of certainty regarding this question, since the percentage of those who answered “I don’t know” to this question among Protestants was 1%, among Catholics - 7%. According to a 2007 sociological survey on religious affiliation, 53% of Northern Ireland residents identified themselves as Protestants, 44% as Catholics, and 3% of the population are atheists or adhere to another religion.

Languages [ | ]

The Belfast Accords of 1998, in addition to English, official languages Irish and Ulster-Scots languages were recognized in the region. In 1999, two agencies were created to support the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages, within which assistance was provided in the study of these languages in schools and optional language centers. In 2003, the British and Irish Governments jointly expressed their commitment to the principles established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and announced the creation of government agencies aimed at implementing the program. An integrated additional fund for financing program-related projects has been created. The fund provided £12 million over five years to provide accessible Irish language education. A body was also created to manage such projects, which included representatives of the governments of the two states, local authorities authorities and municipalities, which facilitated the implementation of the envisaged programs. A separate point of the 2004 government statement was the recognition of British and sign languages, which was also provided for by the Belfast Agreements. These languages belong to different families (British and French, respectively). In the Northern Ireland region in 2004 there were 3,500 deaf users of British Sign Language and 1,500 deaf users of Irish.

In the area of Ulster-Scots, similar measures were taken in the 2006 St Andrews Agreement as in relation to the Irish language. In particular, in 2006, the Ulster Scots Academy was created, the function of which was to preserve the cultural flavor and language of the Ulster Scots. To ensure widespread use of Ulster-Irish and Ulster-Scots, areas such as television and radio broadcasting were also involved by guaranteeing programs in minority languages.

Symbols of Northern Ireland[ | ]

The anthem of the United Kingdom is often played at public events in Northern Ireland. God Save the Queen. At the Commonwealth Games and some other sporting events, the Northern Ireland team uses the Ulster flag (despite its unofficial status) and the tune Londonderry Air(often with words Danny Boy), also unofficially, as the national anthem. The Northern Ireland football team also uses the Ulster flag, but sings it as an anthem God Save The Queen. Major Gaelic Athletic Association matches open with the Irish national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann("Soldier's Song"), like other all-Ireland sporting organizations.

Flag [ | ]

From 1953 to 1972, a special flag known as the "Ulster Banner" was used by the government and governmental organizations of Northern Ireland. It consisted of a St. George's cross, inside of which were located a white six-pointed star and a red hand (a symbol of ancient Ulster). Above the star was a crown.

Unofficially, residents of Northern Ireland fly the flag that corresponds to their political preferences during the holidays: the flag of Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic. The first two are used by unionists - supporters of a union with Great Britain, the last - by nationalists, especially in sporting events. Paramilitary forces on both sides have their own flags.

Coat of arms [ | ]

In 1923, the Chief Herald of Ulster created designs for the state seal and flag of Northern Ireland. In January 1924, in London, he discussed the appearance of the future coat of arms with representatives of the government of Northern Ireland. The final appearance of the coat of arms was determined by Wilkinson's representative, Thomas Sadler, in April 1924; it repeated the appearance of the flag created a year earlier. The coat of arms has received the approval of the Northern Ireland Cabinet. The Royal Decree, signed by George V and confirmed by the Home Office, was signed on 2 August 1924. The coat of arms was registered in the Register of Arms in Dublin. Since 1972, this coat of arms has not been official.

Useful information for tourists about Ireland, cities and resorts in the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Ireland, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Ireland.

Geography of Ireland

The Irish Republic is a state in Western Europe, occupying most of the island of Ireland. The western coast is indented by deep bays. The interior regions are dominated by lowlands with numerous lakes and swamps; low mountains rise in the southern part of the island and off the coast. The highest point is Mount Carrantuhil (1041 meters above sea level).

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Language

Official language: Irish (Gaelic), English

Religion

Catholics - 93%, Protestants - 5%.

Currency

International name: EUR

Popular attractions

Tourism in Ireland

Where to stay

Ireland is always popular among tourists. Hotels in this country have standard international classification, while the quality of service here is strictly controlled by the Irish Hotel Federation. Therefore, by choosing one of the hotels, you can be sure of the appropriate service. As a rule, hotel rates include a buffet breakfast.

In addition to hotels in Ireland, accommodation is possible in so-called guest houses. Hotels of this type also have their own classification - from one to four stars. For those who prefer home comfort and a family-friendly environment, there are family-run B&Bs scattered throughout Ireland, especially in smaller towns. Here you can enjoy traditional home cooking, but note that in some hotels the breakfast includes muesli and bread with jam, while in others it is a varied buffet. Please check this point in advance.

Accommodation in ancient palaces and castles is no less popular among tourists. Although the cost of living is quite high, tourists are also offered swimming pools, golf courses, and spa centers.

Well, those who want to completely immerse themselves in an authentic atmosphere will enjoy staying in rural hotels. Here you will be offered not only to relax your soul and body, but also the opportunity to perform some agricultural work, for example, tending the garden. In addition, the meals are exclusively made from fresh, local ingredients.

It is worth considering that during major holidays all hotels must be booked in advance, and the cost of accommodation on these days can be increased several times. As a rule, all hotels have pubs or restaurants.

Holidays in Ireland at the best price

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Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Ireland

Ireland is an amazing country with beautiful natural landscapes and ancient history, which dates back to ancient times. The most interesting historical, architectural and cultural attractions, as well as the original Irish flavor, will provide a unique atmosphere and a lot of impressions.

The capital of Ireland, Dublin, is the historical, cultural and economic center of the country. The city is very popular among European tourists. Concentrated in Dublin and its environs most of Ireland's most important attractions. Among the most interesting places in Dublin it is worth mentioning St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Christ Cathedral, Dublin Cathedral Mosque, Dublin Needle or Monument of Light, Manderley Castle, Leinster House (Parliament Buildings). Also of interest are the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the State Museum of Heraldry, Trinity College and its Book of Kells, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the National Abbey Theater of Ireland and the National Botanic Garden. An important landmark of the city is Phoenix Park, one of the largest public parks in the world. On its territory there are such attractions as the Presidential Residence, Ashtown Castle, the Papal Cross, as well as one of the most famous European zoos - Dublin Zoo. St. Stephen's Green is located in the central part of Dublin. This picturesque place is quite popular among both local residents and visitors to the city.

The second largest city in Ireland is Cork (the administrative center of the county of the same name). The historical center of the city is home to many architectural, historical and cultural attractions. The most interesting of them are St. Finbarr's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Street, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Church, St. Anne's Church, City Hall, Cork Museum, Cork Opera, Crawford Art Galleries and Firkin Crane Center. Famous and wild night life Cork with many nightclubs and traditional Irish pubs. Blackrock and Desmond castles are also located in County Cork.

County Kerry has many historical and natural attractions. The most famous are Lakes Killarney, Blasket Islands, Mount Brandon and Caranthuill, Urag Stone Ring, Scotia Cave, national park Killarney, Muckross Abbey, Ballycarbury and Ross Castles, Muckross House and Gallarus Oratory. Galway city is also popular among tourists. Here it is worth seeing the Church of St. Nicholas, the Cathedral, Lynch's Castle, the City Museum and the Spanish Arch.

County Galway is home to the famous Aran Islands and one of the most picturesque corners of the country - Connemara. In the city of Limerick, it is worth visiting King John's Castle, the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Bishop's Palace, City Hall and the Hunt Museum. Also interesting to visit is the oldest city in Ireland - Waterford with its oldest building, the Reginalds Tower and the Treasure Museum.

In the east of Ireland in County Meath is the world-famous Brú na Bóinne, a complex of 40 burial mounds. The most famous of them are the three huge tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, located in the center of the complex, which are older than the legendary Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids. These majestic structures have enormous historical significance and are the most important monuments of megalithic art in Europe.

Irish cuisine

Irish cuisine is distinctively simple, and Northern Ireland - the "Emerald Isle" - produces some of the best organic food in the world. Proximity to the sea, climate and extensive countryside greatly influence the foods common in Northern Ireland. Thanks to heavy rains the pastures are always full of lush grass, which is good for the production of milk, which in turn makes excellent cream, butter and cheese. The green Irish hills provide an excellent base for raising cattle, and the mild climate means that cattle can graze on the meadows all year round, and the meat is juicy and tasty; It is on the basis of such fresh lamb that traditional Irish stew is prepared.

Excellent soil and climate also create ideal conditions to grow potatoes, which have been a staple and symbol of Irish cuisine since they were brought from South America via Spain. Potatoes are the basis of many Irish soups, pies, dumplings, breads, buns, pies and even pancakes. One of the most famous Irish dishes is colcannon (from the old name "cole" - cabbage), which is made from mashed potatoes, chopped cabbage, onions and seasonings. Champ is a similar dish, but the potatoes are not chopped very finely and mixed with finely chopped green onions, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Another traditional potato dish is boxty - potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, fried in a frying pan.

The rivers and lakes of Northern Ireland contain an abundance of various fish: salmon, trout, perch, eel, pike. The sea catches lobster, shrimp, oysters and mussels, as well as all kinds of fish, including cod, rays, flounder, herring and mackerel. In addition to seafood, red algae (dulse) is harvested from the sea, which has traditionally been used as food. Seaweed can be mixed with mashed potatoes (dulse champ). Irish moss or pearl moss (edible seaweed) is often collected in the spring and used either fresh or dried.

Ireland has many delicious traditional baked goods. These are farls, which are baked from wheat flour with the addition of rolled oats in the shape of a quarter of a circle (since translated this word means “one fourth”). Soda bread is very popular with its unusual sour taste (due to the use of buttermilk). Potato bread is another one a traditional dish, it is served cold or fried in pork fat as part of breakfast. Bram brack is a fruit bread reminiscent of the Welsh bara brith, served with buttered tea.