Saint Patrick’s Day

Irish!

is the traditional language of Ireland. A saint it an

important person in the Christian religion. Patrick is Ireland's saint. In Ireland we often call it Paddy’s Day because Paddy is a nickname for Patrick. Many people in Ireland are called Patrick or Paddy now.

festival celebrated all over the world. Many Irish people have

moved to new countries and today over 35 million people around the world call themselves Irish, especially in America, where the Irish were one of the largest immigrant groups. Cities like London, Sydney, York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco had many Irish emigrants, especially in the police, politics, construction and the fire departments.

These people celebrate being Irish
on the 17th of March, and invite everybody else to be Irish for the day too with parades, music and parties.

Ireland. He was the Bishop who converted the Irish from

their old religions to the Christian religion in the 5th century AD. Today, almost everybody in Ireland is from a Christian tradition.




Saint Patrick used a three leafed plant called shamrock to explain about the Christian god, now that plant is a famous symbol of Ireland.
He was a British boy who was captured as a slave by Irish pirates. For many years he worked as a Shepard but then he escaped. After many years, when he became a bishop, he returned to Ireland to tell them about the Christian religion. There are many magical myths and stories about his time in Ireland.

edge of Europe. It is in the Atlantic Ocean separated

by the Irish sea from Britain.


There are only 5 million people now but in the past there were over 10 million, many have emigrated to live in other countries.

anything about Ireland?

are 32 counties in Ireland. 26 counties are part of

an independent ‘Republic of Ireland’, but 6 counties in the north are still part of the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’.

The independent republic of Ireland speaks English but has it’s own government, army and laws. Instead of the Queen it has a president and instead of the pound it uses the euro.

magical men were cheeky and mischievous. The liked trouble, but

if you caught one, he had to give you a pot of gold, usually found under a rainbow. But be careful, if you didn’t look at him, he could disappear. Irish mythology is full of many funny and scary creatures and legends.

can say ‘Ta me go maith’ (I’m good)

and emigration.
In the past Ireland has been shaped by

many people, Celts from Europe, Vikings from Scandinavia, Normans from France, Scots from Scotland and English from England.
In the past Ireland was part of the UK and a colony of the British Empire, but after many years of war and unhappiness most of Ireland became an independent country in 1922. However the north of Ireland wanted to remain part of the the UK and there still are problems there.

why? ‘Glas’ is green in Irish.

with lots of small villages, hills, mountains, beaches, valleys castles,

bays and lovely towns and cities. The people are famous for being friendly, funny, musical and good at telling stories. In Ireland ‘the gift of the gab’ means that you can talk a lot.
The land is described as the ‘Emerald Isle’ and having ‘forty shades of green.



Ireland has two languages, English and Irish (Gaelic). Most Irish people can speak both, but usually speak English. Everybody must learn both in School. In some parts of Ireland, they only try and speak Irish. Some of the best writers in English were from Ireland. ‘Dia dhuit’ means hello.

Brown Soda Bread, Irish Stew, Bacon & Cabbage, Milk, Butter,

Cheese, Cream, Beef, Seafood and Potatoes, and drinks like Tea, Whiskey, Irish Coffee, Baileys and Guinness Stout (Black Beer)
Whiskey was invented in Ireland and the word whiskey comes from ‘Uisce beatha’ (which means ‘water of life’ in the Irish language)

and but they also have some sports only played in

Ireland, like Gaelic Football and Hurling.
Ireland also produces some of the world’s best race horses
Many top soccer players playing in Britain come form Ireland, as well as many Olympic athletes especially boxers.
Some of the biggest surfing in the world is in Ireland

typical farm animals are cows, sheep and pigs.


In the

wild there are deer, foxes, badgers, hares and other small animals.

some parts there might be over 260 rainy days every

year
‘Ta se ag cur baiste’ means ‘It’s raining’ in Irish.
But it’s never very hot or very cold and there isn’t much snow.

maith liom Vietnam.

in Britain and America, where many soldiers, politicians, actors, musicians,

writers and leaders have been Irish. But also in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South America, Spain and France.
Today there are many Irish actors and musicians and even a famous President with Irish ancestors.
Every time you see a name with Mac, or Mc or O’ in it you know they could have had Irish ancestors.

American President’s who can trace his ancestors to Ireland. Others

include Clinton, Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan

in Irish. Thank you.