17th March

Ireland

17th March

What do these things have in common?Braveheart Saving Private RyanTitanicKennedyGuinnessLimerickHurling U2Gulliver

                                    

A satellite picture of Ireland

The flag of Ireland

Who is this?

Mary McAleese is the President of Ireland.

Map of Ireland

ProfileFull country name: Éire (Republic of Ireland)Area: 69,000 sq kmPopulation: 4 millionCapital City: DublinPeople: Irish; small immigrant populationsLanguage: English, GaelicReligion: 95% Roman Catholic, 3.4% ProtestantGovernment: democracyHead of State: President (Republic) Mary McAleeseMonetary unit: EURO = 100 centsNational holiday: March 17th — St Patrick`s DayLife expectancy: 74 years (men), 80 years (women)Main exports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Internet domain: .ie International dialling code: +353 7

Irish Landmarks

Mount Errigal, Co. Donegal (Winter Scene)

Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren, Co. Clare

Torc Waterfall, Killarney, Co. Kerry

A traditional songCockles and Mussels

In Dublin's fair city,Where girls are so pretty,

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly MaloneAs she wheeled her wheelbarrowThrough streets broad and narrow

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!“Chorus:

Alive, alive-o! Alive, alive-o!Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!"

She was a fishmongerAnd sure 'twas no wonder

For so were her mother and father before,And as they wheeled their wheelbarrows

Through streets broad and narrow,Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!"

Chorus:Alive, alive-o! Alive, alive-o!

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!"

She died of a fever,And no-one could save her,

And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone, But her ghost wheels her barrow

Through streets broad and narrowCrying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!"

Chorus:Alive, alive-o! Alive, alive-o!

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!"

Halfpenny Bridge, Dublin City

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin

Oscar Wilde (Sculpture), Merrion Square, Dublin

Irish traditions

Saint Patrick

Shamrock

“Green” parades

Leprechauns

Beer

Saint Patrick

Shamrock (clover)

The shamrock is a three-leafed clover and national emblem of Ireland. It is believed that St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the trinity. For the Celts, the shamrock was a sacred plant symbolizing the rebirth of spring .

A four-leaf shamrock

Pot of luck

Leprechauns

Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies. They were seen as tiny men and women who could use their magical powers for good or evil. They are known to protect the hidden pot of gold.

Traditional souvenirs from Ireland

Blessing

Musical instrumentsHarp

Fiddle

Accordion

Tin whistle

Pipe

Goat-skin drum

Limerics

There was a young man from Leeds,Leeds, Who swallowed a packet of seeds,seeds,        Within an hourhour his nose was a flower,flower,And his head was a riot of weeds.

17th March, St.Patrick`s Day

“Green” parades

Saint Patrick`s day is celebrated by Irish and Irish Americans.“Green” parades march through the streets.Bands play and people sing Irish songs.Those who are not Irish themselves also wear green neckties and hair ribbons.

What do these words have in common?Braveheart Saving Private RyanTitanicKennedyGuinnessLimerickHurling U2Gulliver, PigmalionJigs

                                    

A traditional songGalway Bay

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland, Then maybe at the closing of your day, You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh, And see the sun go down on Galway Bay. Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream, The women in the meadow making hay. Just to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin, And watch the barefoot gosoons at their play.

Galway Bay

For the breezes blowing o'er the sea from Ireland Are perfumed by the heather as they blow And the women in the uplands diggin' praties Speak a language that the strangers do not know.

Yet the strangers came and tried to teach us their way. They scorned us just for being what we are. But they might as well go chasing after moon beams, Or light a penny candle from a star.

Galway Bay

And if there's is going to be a life hereafter, And somehow I am sure there's going to be, I will ask my God to let me make my heaven, In that dear land across the Irish sea.  

The end