# Ireland 🇮🇪
### 1. Basic facts

- **Ireland** = the island, divided into:
    - **Republic of Ireland (Éire)** – independent state, ~80 % of the island.
    - **Northern Ireland** – part of the United Kingdom.
- **Capital:** Dublin.
- **Population:** ~5 million (Republic) + ~2 million (NI).
- **Currency:** Euro (€) in the Republic, Pound Sterling (£) in NI.
- **Languages:** English (widely spoken) and **Irish Gaelic** (official, compulsory at school).
- **Nickname:** *The Emerald Isle* – because of the lush green grass.

### 2. Political system

- **Republic of Ireland:**
    - **Parliamentary republic.**
    - **Head of state:** President.
    - **Head of government:** Prime Minister – called **Taoiseach** (pronounced *tee-shock*) in Gaelic.
    - **Bicameral parliament:** Oireachtas = Dáil Éireann (lower) + Seanad (upper).
- **Northern Ireland:** part of UK, devolved Assembly in Belfast.

### 3. Geography

- Mostly **flat land**, **fields and grass**, with mountains and cliffs at the edges.
- **Climate:** mild, wet, very rainy – great for grass and farming.
- **Longest river:** River Shannon (386 km).
- **Coastline:** very rugged with cliffs and peninsulas (**Cliffs of Moher**).
- **Bogs** are common – peat is extracted for fuel.

### 4. History

- First settlers: ~8000 BC.
- **5th century AD:** Christianity brought by **St Patrick**, replacing Celtic religion.
- **Middle Ages:** Viking and Norman invasions.
- **1801 – Act of Union:** Ireland becomes part of the UK.
- **1845–49 – Great Famine / Potato Famine:** ~1 million dead, millions emigrated (especially to the USA).
- **1922:** 26 counties form an **independent state**; 6 northern counties remain part of the UK.
- **The Troubles (1968–1998):** sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland; ended with the **Good Friday Agreement** (1998).

### 5. Dublin

- **Capital** of the Republic, on the east coast.
- **Dublin Castle** (medieval), **St Patrick’s Cathedral**, **Trinity College** (with the Book of Kells).
- **Temple Bar** – famous district with traditional pubs and live music.
- **Guinness Brewery** – tour of the famous Irish stout.
- **O’Connell Street** – main shopping street.

### 6. Other places to visit

- **Cliffs of Moher** – spectacular cliffs on the south-west coast.
- **Blarney Castle** – kiss the **Blarney Stone** for the "gift of eloquence".
- **Ring of Kerry** – scenic tourist trail.
- **Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford** – major historical cities.
- **Killarney** – lakes and national park.
- **Belfast** (NI) – Titanic museum (the Titanic was built here).
- **Giant’s Causeway** (NI) – basalt columns, UNESCO site.

### 7. Famous Irish people

- **Writers:** Jonathan Swift (*Gulliver’s Travels*), Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, James Joyce (*Ulysses*), Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker (*Dracula*), Seamus Heaney.
- **Music:** U2, Sinéad O’Connor, The Cranberries, Hozier, Enya, The Dubliners.
- **Actors:** Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy (Oscar-winner *Oppenheimer*), Daniel Day-Lewis.

### 8. Food & drinks

- **Irish stew** – lamb / mutton / beef, potatoes, carrots, onions.
- **Boxty** – Irish potato pancake.
- **Full Irish breakfast** – bacon, sausages, eggs, fried potatoes, tomatoes, black pudding.
- Seafood (oysters, mussels).
- **Guinness** (dark stout), **Irish whiskey**, **Bailey’s**.

### 9. Symbols & traditions

- **St Patrick’s Day (17 March)** – national holiday; parades, green clothes, Irish music, lots of Guinness. Celebrated all over the world.
- **National symbols:** the **harp** (national emblem) and the **shamrock** (three-leafed clover, used by St Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity).
- **Leprechaun** – mythical little man with a pot of gold.
- **Banshee** – mythical female fairy whose crying predicts death.
- Strong **Catholic** tradition.

### 10. Sport

- **Gaelic football** and **hurling** – traditional Irish sports.
- **Rugby**, **football** (soccer), **horse racing**.
- **Belfast Marathon, Irish Open** (golf).

### 11. Why visit Ireland

- Long history and many old castles.
- Beautiful **green scenery**, dramatic cliffs.
- **Friendly people** – Ireland is famous for hospitality.
- **Live Irish music** in the pubs.
- Chance to hear and try **Gaelic**.

### 12. Speaking strategy

Start by distinguishing the **Republic of Ireland** from **Northern Ireland**. Mention St Patrick, the famine and the Troubles for history. Cover Dublin in detail, then 1–2 natural sights (Cliffs of Moher). Mention 2–3 famous writers and U2 / Guinness for culture. Finish with St Patrick’s Day.