The Republic of Ireland is a country located in the western part of Europe and part of the British Isles archipelago. Its population is approximately 4.9 million people (2020 est.), and most of which resides in Dublin, Ireland's capital. It is surrounded by the Irish Sea, an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its ancient Celtic traditions, literature, drama, songs, sports like Gaelic football and hurling, Saint Patrick’s Day, its lush green landscapes, its beverages, and castles.
Ireland is known because it was occupied by the Celts, Indo-European people who arrived from the 2nd millennium BCE to the 1st century BCE and whose languages persist until today and are spoken by some Irish people; these are Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton. Celts believed that there is life after death, this is evidenced in their practices, where they buried the dead along with food, weapons, and ornaments. The druids, Celtic religious leaders, taught about the transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. The Irish believed in an otherworld, they imagined it underground or as islands in the sea.
Moving on, let’s talk about sports in Ireland! Gaelic football is the Irish version of soccer, and it is the most-watched and played. Two teams with 15 players each play against each other, they use their feet and hands to play, and goals can be worth one point or two. Then there is hurling, which is similar to hockey and has been played for 2,000 years. For women, this activity is called Camogie.
Saint Patrick’s Day is a holiday of high importance in Ireland. It is celebrated on the 17th of March every year, honoring the patron saint of the country. St. Patrick returned to Ireland with Christianity, the principal religion of the country. In this festivity, people may participate in parades or go to the church, and one can see residents dressed with something of the colour green, because some believe that green will hide them from mischievous leprechauns who cannot see this colour.
The nation’s capital, Dublin, was founded in 841 A.D. and is located on the east coast in the Leinster province. The city is bisected by the River Liffey, with the O’Connell’s Bridge connecting the North and South, and comes in contact with the Irish Sea to the east. It is known for its warm ambiance, lively people, pubs, cafés, restaurants, music, and historical buildings.
Ireland offers beautiful landscapes. The name ‘Emerald Isle’ refers to the large green and grassy fields, characteristic of the whole island, even the North which is part of Great Britain. There are also cliffs and mountains, like the Wicklow Mountains which cover a great area of the east coast, and lakes like Lough Neagh which is the largest of the island.
If you visit Ireland, you have to go to at least one of the 30,000 castles there! You can choose whichever, the one that fits your liking. Dublin Castle, located at the heart of the city, is a must-visit. It was built in the 13th century and was “the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland” (Dublincastle.ie, 2021). Now, it belongs to the Irish government. Then, if you are interested in medieval castles, you can visit the Bunratty Castle which was built in what was a Viking trading camp in 970 and take a tour to learn about the lords and ladies that resided there!
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