35 facts about Ireland

Ireland is one of the most educated countries in the world. Approximately 60% of Irish people have graduated from higher education. And every second Irishman knows 3 languages. Here are 35 more interesting facts about this island nation:

1. More than 40 million people of Irish descent live in the United States. This is 8 times the population of Ireland itself. Ireland has a population of 4.83 million.

2. The oldest pub in Europe, "Sean's Bar", opened in 900 in Ireland. It is still functioning.

3. In a small town in County Cork, there is a monument to the American Indian tribe Choctaw. Despite their impoverishment, in 1847, members of the tribe somehow managed to raise $ 170 to help the starving Irish.

4. Liner "Titanic" was designed and built in Belfast.

5. In 1845, the Ottoman sultan announced his intention to send £ 10,000 to the victims of the Irish famine but received permission to send only £ 1,000. The ban was based on the fact that there could be no more donation than Queen Victoria, who sent £ 2,000. As a result, the sultan sent 1,000 pounds and five ships filled with food.

6. The Great Famine in Ireland claimed nearly a million lives. The country's population never recovered (even after 150 years).

7. The Irish are pretty religious - a country of Catholics. Blasphemy and abortion are still crimes in this country.

8. "O" in Irish surnames means "grandson". Hence O'Hara, O'Connor, and O'Neill.

9. In medieval Ireland, the murderer was given to the victim's family as a slave if he could not pay a considerable fine to redeem his freedom. The family was also given the right to kill the criminal.

10. In Ireland, discovered the ancient temple of Newgrange, which is older than the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge (almost 5000 years). During the winter solstice, rays of sunlight penetrate the tomb, illuminating its central hall for 20 minutes.

11. Ireland's official national colour is blue, although green is more popular here.

12. The first Olympic medal (gold) in the history of Ireland was won by hammer thrower Pat O'Callaghan in 1928.

13. In 1925, the newly independent Ireland spent a fifth of its annual budget on constructing a hydroelectric power plant to modernize the country. Then it supplied up to 96% of the consumed electricity, but today it provides only 2%.

14. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of the Irish, but in fact, he is a Roman.

15. Ireland is famous for its breweries. Interestingly, until 1939, if a Guinness brewer in Ireland wanted to marry a Catholic, he had to quit.

16. Ireland is the birthplace of whiskey.

17. In Killorglin, an annual fair is held from 10 to 12 August, where the townspeople crown a wild goat and raise it to a 40-foot pedestal.

18. May is the driest month in the country.

19. The Irish alphabet has only 18 letters. It is one of the Celtic languages. Today only 5% of the Irish use it in daily communication. The primary language is English. You can still learn a little Irdandish during your trip - all signs and signs in Ireland are written in two languages.

20. The most popular sport in Ireland is Gaelic football. It originated in the 13th century. This is an amateur sport. Players are not paid a salary, people play "for love."

21. The symbols of Ireland are the shamrock, Celtic cross, harp and wolfhound.

22. Potatoes are the staple of most traditional Irish dishes.

23. Irish performers are more likely to win Eurovision than other Europeans. At the moment, there are 7 victories.

24. Off the coast of Dublin is the island of Lambay, inhabited entirely by Wallaby - from the kangaroo family. Their ancestors were brought here by the Dublin Zoo, which could no longer take care of the animals due to the overcrowding of the enclosures.

25. Ireland was almost entirely covered in ice during the Ice Age.

26. the customer usually sits in the front passenger seat in Irish taxis.

27. The onset of spring, the Irish celebrate with colourful carnivals and many-day fairs.

28. According to the old Irish tradition, if a boy was born to a family during Easter, he was destined to become a priest.

29. An episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation was banned in Ireland and the UK because it mentioned how Ireland united in 2024 after a successful terrorist campaign.

30. According to an ancient Irish recipe, eating frogs helps relieve stomach pain.

31. In Ireland, apples and sakura bloom twice a year.

32. According to Irish tradition, the eldest daughter should marry first.

33. When asked whether the two parts of Ireland should be reunited, 67% of Irish people said they fully support the idea. After interviewers clarified that this would lead to higher taxes, the percentage dropped to 32%.

34. Most Irish people are naturally red-haired and called Sun People.

35. It was in Ireland that the first Duty-Free was opened in 1947. Previously, the planes did not have enough fuel for a direct flight to the United States, and they all stopped for refuelling at Shannon Airport.

International English schools and camps in Ireland for children 10-18 years old

With us, you can easily choose and book a program for schoolchildren in Ireland. Official school prices and special discounts from Travel Class.