Kid's Guide to Ireland

KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Ireland

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Cobh, Ireland

Welcome to Ireland Ireland is an island nation in the British Isles, in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the west of England.

Let’s learn about Ireland from kids like you.

Roisin lives in Castlebar, in the northwest part of the country. She is 8 years old.

Roisin’s name has been used in Ireland since the 16th century. It means “little rose.”

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Roisin likes playing badminton. She plays with her friends and family members.

Roisin uses a racquet to hit the shuttlecock, which can be made from plastic or feathers. Sometimes they play over a net if one is available.

Sean is Roisin’s brother.

His name means “God is gracious.” Sean is in primary school. He is a good student.

Sean wants to be in an orchestra someday. He’s learning to play the fiddle.

Stringed instruments are popular in Sean’s country.

The fiddle, or violin, is an important instrument of traditional Irish music.

Roisin and Sean love their country and hope you will, too. Let’s learn some more about Ireland.

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Where in the World?

Ireland is an island nation in the British Isles, located in the North Atlantic Ocean to the west of England. The northern part of the island is a separate country called Northern Ireland. Ireland’s full territory includes many smaller islands off the coast.

The majority of Ireland is grassy, rolling plains. Mountains rise in northern and southern regions. The River Shannon divides the west from the center of Ireland.

Nessa lives in Sligo, straddling the Garavogue River where it meets Sligo Bay in the country’s northwest. It’s known for its rugged countryside.

IRELAND

Conor lives in Waterford, located in southeast Ireland.

Founded by Vikings in 914 CE, it is the country’s oldest city and a seaport on the River Suir.

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Can You Find It? Castlebar

Limerick

Cork

Galway

Dublin

Waterford

Donegal

Dundalk 5

Ireland has a mild, oceanic climate. The island experiences four distinct seasons, but the surrounding ocean keeps temperatures moderate. Summers are warm while winters are cold and damp, and rainfall persists throughout the year.

Riona lives in Dublin on Ireland’s northeast coast. The city has a maritime climate with warm summers and cool winters.

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle; its wet weather and moderate temperatures combine with fertile grasslands to create a lush and green landscape. This is ideal for hooved and small mammals.

Common species include elk, red foxes, deer, hares, badgers, martens, bears, and wolves. Ireland is home to a number of migratory bird species, and a great diversity of butterfly species. The ocean waters surrounding the island are home to sharks, whales, seals, dolphins, and sea turtles.

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Lough Corrib Western Ireland’s Lough Corrib is the country’s largest lake and the island’s second largest. Renowned as one of Europe’s best freshwater fishing lakes, it is especially known for its brown trout and salmon.

Devil’s Chimney

Lough Corrib

Carrauntoohil

Carrauntoohil Ireland’s highest point is Carrauntoohill, a peak in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range. Popular with hikers and rock climbers, the peak is nearly 1,040 meters (3,409 feet) tall.

Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird (Devil’s Chimney) Ireland’s tallest waterfall is 150 meters (492 feet) and found in the Dartry Mountains in the country’s northwest. The name means “stream against the height” because southerly winds can blow the falling water upwards and back over the cliff.

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History Circa 432 CE Patrick returns to Ireland as a Christian missionary and later became a bishop.

He is canonized after death and becomes Ireland’s most famous saint.

1014 High King of Ireland, Brian Boru is killed in the Battle of Clontarf. The battle is still a victory and breaks Viking power in Ireland.

1216 Henry III issues the Great Charter of Ireland. Essentially an extension of England’s Magna Carta for the Irish, it says no king and his government is above the law.

1801 Great Britain annexes the Kingdom of Ireland, officially forming a new state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

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1922 With the passage of its constitution, the Irish Free State is officially established.

1948 The Republic of Ireland Act is approved and the country’s name becomes the Republic of Ireland. All ties to the British monarchy are cut and Ireland ends its Commonwealth membership.

1990 The country elects Mary Robinson as its first female president.

2015 Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to recognize same sex marriage after wide approval from the country’s voters.

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People The modern Irish are chiefly descended from the Celts and make up the vast majority of the population.

Liam has Irish Travellers ancestry. His lessons at school are taught in Irish, but he speaks Shelta with his family at home.

A fraction of the population are British Islanders, mainly descended from Anglo-Normans. Other Europeans, Asians, and Africans make up the remaining population.

Irish, also known as Gaelic, and English are the country’s two official languages. Irish is spoken mainly in areas along the western coast.

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Ireland does not have an official religion, but the vast majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Protestants (including Church of Ireland Anglicans), Muslims, and people of other faiths make up small minorities.

Although known for decades of strife between Protestants and Catholics, Ireland’s different religions coexist peacefully.

Siobhan’s family practices Anglicanism.

Her name means “God has been gracious” or it also can mean “full of charm.”

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Names Kieran

Sean Sean is an Irish name that means “graced

by God.

Kieran is an Irish name that means “little dark one.”

Liam Liam is the Irish version of a German name that means “resolute protector.”

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Fiona

Fiona is an Irish name that means “white, fair.”

e (Male) Nam

Aidan

Origin

M e aning

Irish

little fire

Irish

prince

Brian

Celtic

high, noble

Declan

Irish

full of goodness

Dermot

Eamonn

Irish

free from envy

Celtic

wealthy protector

Niall Noel Patrick

Irish French Latin

champion Christmas noble

Seamus

Irish

supplanter

Brendan

e (Female) Nam

Origin

M e aning

Breda

Irish

strength, power

Claire

French

clear, bright

Deirdre Geraldine

Irish German

broken-hearted spear ruler

Kathleen

Irish

pure

Margaret

Hebrew

pearl

Maura Niamh

Irish Irish

drop of the sea bright, radiant

Nora

French

honor

Teresa

Greek

late summer 13

Learn Irish Irish is spoken by about 40 percent of the population, while English is spoken by nearly everyone. Minority languages are Ulster Scots, spoken in Northern Ireland and some areas of County Donegal, and Shelta (Irish Traveller).

Dia dhuit

TDJEE-ah ghwitch (Hello)

Maidin mhaith

MAH-jin may (Good morning)

Is ainm dom

____ iss AN-im dum (My name is ___)

Conas tá tú?

KUN-us a-TAW too (How are you?)

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Tá ocras orm

Taw UK-rass ur-um (I’m hungry) Tá tart orm

Taw tart ur-um (I’m thirsty)

Go raibh maith agat

Guh ruh MAH a-GUT (Thank you) Le do thoil

Leh duh huh-el (Please)

Is ea

Shah (Yes)

Ní hea

Nee heh (No)

Slán

Slawn (Goodbye) 15

Holidays and Festivals Ireland has a rich and dynamic culture, and the Irish celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year.

Here are a few:

St. Patrick’s Day March 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick in 461. The country’s national holiday is celebrated with parades and festivals.

Celebrations include special foods, entertainment for kids, green clothing, shamrock face painting, fireworks, games, and time spent with family and friends.

Taste of Dublin Festival This four-day June festival celebrates the food of Dublin. The city’s best restaurants gather to serve their signature dishes. Attendees enjoy tasting more than 60 foods and watching Dublin’s top chefs in action. Live entertainment includes music, dancing, theater performances, and comedy acts.

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St. Stephen’s Day The day after Christmas is the feast day of the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen.

The traditional Wren Boys Procession features costumed boys going door-to-door carrying a pole topped with holly and a fake wren. Horse races, plays, and football games take place throughout the country.

Halloween This holiday may be called Samhain in Ireland and stems from ancient Celtic traditions. Many modern Halloween traditions, like carving jack o’lanterns, wearing spooky costumes, and playing tricks, have their roots in Ireland.

Puck Fair Taking place August 10–12, this street festival in Killorglin is one of Ireland’s oldest fairs.

The traditional horse fair is accompanied by a parade, entertainers, and crowning of a goat as King Puck.

Audiences enjoy concerts, competitions, and fireworks.

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Food Traditional Irish cuisine is simple farmer’s fare, generally based on meat, cabbage, and potatoes (praties). Corned beef, pork, and lamb are widely eaten, while seafood is of high quality and generally simply prepared. Traditional baked goods include soda bread and barmbrack, a cinnamon-raisin bread. Potatoes appear in many dishes, often combined with other vegetables and made into champ (mashed potatoes and spring onions), boxty (potato pancakes), and colcannon (potato, garlic, and kale or cabbage).

Soda Bread This quick bread is made using baking soda in place of yeast.

Irish Pub Salad This salad is a chilled mix of cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, tomato, and hard-boiled eggs topped with a tarragon dressing and grated cheese.

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Coddle Traditionally associated with Dublin, this is a layered casserole made of sausage, bacon, potatoes, and onion.

Irish Stew Considered the national dish by many, this traditional stew is made with mutton or lamb, potatoes, onions, celery, and leeks.

Champ This side dish combines mashed potatoes and green onions topped with butter.

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Colcannon

Colcannon is a traditional recipe made of boiled cabbage or kale and mashed potatoes.

Barmbrack Often served toasted and buttered, this raisin bread is made using yeast.

Ploughman’s Lunch This cold mid-day meal typically consists of sliced meat, cheese, bread, fruit, and pickled veggies.

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Champ

(Mashed Potatoes with Onion) Champ—brúitín in Irish—hails from the north of Ireland and is prepared by combining mashed potatoes with chopped scallions or spring onions and milk and seasoning with salt and pepper.

Champ is similar to the more well-known Irish dish colcannon, which uses cabbage or kale in place of the scallions.

Total Time

40 min

Ingredients 4 lb (1.8 kg) potatoes 1 cup (240 ml) milk 1 cup (100 g) chopped spring onions ½ cup (120 g) butter salt to taste black pepper to taste

Directions Peel potatoes and cook in boiling water.

Simmer milk and spring onions together for 5 minutes.

Strain potatoes and mash thoroughly.

Add hot milk, spring onions, salt and pepper, and 1/2 the butter.

Pile the mixture high onto a serving dish, with a well of melted butter in the center.

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National Symbols National Bird Northern Lapwing (common name) Vanellus Vanellus (scientific name)

National Day St. Patrick’s Day March 17

National Flower Shamrock (common name) Trifolium dubium (scientific name)

National Animal Irish Hare (common name) Lepus timidus (scientific name)

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National Flag First used – 1919 Nickname “The Tricolor”

National Currency Ireland’s official currency is the European Union euro and cent.

1 euro = 100 cents

National Anthem “Amhrán na bhFiann” (“The Soldier’s Song”) Lyrics by: Patrick Heeney and Peadar Kearney

Irish Lyrics

English Translation

Sinne Fianna Fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.

Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil, Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhFiann

Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland, Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland, Shall shelter the despot or the slave.

Tonight we man the “bearna baoil”, In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal, ‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal, We’ll chant a soldier’s song

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Things to See and Do Cliffs of Moher An hour’s drive from Shannon, the beautiful Cliffs of Moher stretch 8 kilometers (5 miles) along the coast, the tallest of them rising to a height of 216 meters (710 feet).

Spike Island Known as Ireland’s Alcatraz, this 42-hectare (104-acre) island is accessible via a short ferry ride from Cobh through Cork Harbor. It features Fort Mitchel, the world’s largest prison during the mid-1800s.

Dublin Zoo Located within Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo is the world’s fourth-oldest zoo, founded in 1831. More than 400 species inhabit its 28 hectares (69 acres). A farm lets visitors get up close with barnyard animals, and there is a train ride and playgrounds for children.

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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Ireland’s most complete and authentic castle is just one of the more than 30 buildings that make up this living 19th century village featuring a walled garden, craftspeople, street performers, and farm animals.

Killarney National Park Established in 1932, this is one of Ireland’s first national parks. Covering an area of 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres), its terrain is diverse and includes mountains, forests, lakes, moorland, waterways, parks, and gardens.

Aillwee Cave One of the country’s oldest caverns is in the heart of the Burren in County Clare. The underground cave system features extraordinary rock formations such as stalagmites and stalactites. Also on site is the Birds of Prey Centre and Cheese Factory.

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Blackrock Castle Observatory Bringing together modern science and history, Ireland’s first interactive astronomy center is located inside one of Cork’s oldest structures, the 16thcentury Blackrock Castle.

Burren National Park The unusual landscape of southwest Ireland’s Burren comes from the Irish word boíreann meaning “rocky place.”

National Botanic Gardens Opened to the public in 1805, this 19.5-hectare (48-acre) garden showcases more than 20,000 species of plants.

Doolin Cave Doolin Cave features the Great Stalactite, the longest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere, measuring 7.3 meters (23 feet) long. Guided tours of the limestone cavern are available.

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Location Guide Cliffs of Moher

Aillwee Cave

Spike Island

Blackrock Castle

Dublin Zoo

Observatory

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Burren National Park National Botanic Gardens

Killarney National Park

Doolin Caves 27

Fun Facts Significant Symbol Ireland is the only country to have a musical instrument as its national symbol, the harp.

You Won’t Find Any There are no snakes in Ireland, due to the island becoming disconnected from the mainland during the Ice Age.

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Most Wins Ireland has won Eurovision, one of the world’s oldest song contests, more times than any other country, with seven victories.

Record Holders Irish people hold many unique Guinness World Records, such as the most cookies baked in an hour, the largest tea towel, and the most cups of tea made in an hour by a team of 12 people.

Favorite Color With more than 10 percent of the population being “gingers,” Ireland has the world’s highest number of red-haired people per capita.

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KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Ireland Cork City

Killarney National Park

Dublin

Dingle Peninsula

County Donegal

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