Ireland

Ireland is the third biggest island in Europe.  This is located in the Atlantic ocean off the North-Western coast of mailand Europe.    Location of Ireland is green colored.

Government:  

The republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminister model with a written constitution and a populary elected president who has mostly ceremonial powers.  The government is headed by a prime minister, the Taoiseach who is appointed by the President on the nomination of the lower house of parliament, the Dail. Members of the parliament are chosen from both, the Dáil and the upper house of parliament, the Seanad.  Its capital is Dublin.

Economy:

A period of rapid economic expansion from 1995 onwards became known as the Celtic Tiger period, was brought to and end in 2008 with an unprecedented financial crisis and economic depression in 2009.

Culture:  Irish culture has had a significant influence on other cultures, especially in the fields of literature and to a lesser degree science and education.  A strong indigenous culture exists, as expressed for example through Gaelic games, Irish music, and the Irish language.  The culture of the Island shares many features with Great Britain, including the English language and sports such as  association football, rugby, horse racing, and golf.

History:  The earliest written records of Ireland come from classical Greco-roman geographers.  The title of King of Ireland wasw re-created in 1542 by Henry VIII, the King of England, of the Tudor dynasty.  English rule of law was reinforced and expanded in Ireland during the latter part of the 16th century, leading to the Tudor conqueswt of Ireland.  A near complete conquet was achieved bye the turn of the 17th century, following the Nine Year's war and the Flight of the Earls. (Wikipedia accesed on March 19/2014)

Food:  The traditional food of Ireland are two:  Irish Stew and Corned Beef with Cabbage. And almost every visitor to Ireland is surprised to find that neither features all that commonly on restaurant menus.  Corned beef is not traditionally Irish at all – but Bacon and Cabbage is.

Irish Stew

Tripe and drisheen

 





Crubeens or pigs trotters, tripe (pigs stomach) and drisheen (a blood sausage) were all popular dishes and are still eaten in parts of the country, notably Cork. 

The killing of the pig was a ritual in which neighbours came together to complete the work, with everyone getting a parcel of meat to take home. In that way each time a pig was killed, several families had food. Since there was no refrigeration, what was not eaten fresh was cured or salted, and hence bacon became a very important part of the Irish diet.

Customs:
St Patrick is a special holiday in Ireland.  This day everyone wears green and thinks green. Saint Patrick is deepled rooted in heart of Christianity in Ireland.  He is the most celebrated christian since year 432.  When he was a teenager was captured in Gales and he was trasladated to an island where he worked taking care of a flock of sheeps in the Slemish mountain in County Antrim. He was there during six years that was the place where he found consolation of God.  This fact served of inspiration to Saint Patrick.  

Sight Scenes:

Croagh Patrick, County Mayo.

This name, Coragh Patrick means the Patrick's Mountain, which is a place where about 3000 pilgrims per year walk barefoot along this mountain until the top.  This place was where St Patricks fasted such as Jesus in desert, 40 days in Cuaresm.