Gather some Facts about Ireland before taking the Ireland Tours. For a lovely and memorable vacation you should visit Ireland which is a land of myths and legends. The country’s name is derived from the name Ériu with the addition of the German word land. In modern Irish the name is Eire. Knowing about the Facts about Ireland will help you with Ireland Travel. The country is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Geographical Facts of Ireland
The country of Ireland is the third largest island in Europe. It is also the twentieth largest island in the world. The country is situated in the northwest of Continental Europe. The country is surrounded to the east by the Irish Sea and the island of Great Britain. Five sixths of the island is covered by the Republic of Ireland while the remaining part in the northeast is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. The country has 1448 kilometers of coastline and numerous islands. You will find the rough Atlantic, ancient caves to crystal clear waterways.
Historical Facts of Ireland
One of the Facts about Ireland is its rich history and heritage. The history of the country goes back to 6000 BC. Later tribes from Southern Europe established a high Neolithic culture. And that is why you will find numerous Neolithic sites. One of the famous hero of Ireland is St. Patrick. He is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland and is also the Patron Saint of Ireland. One of the best known places regarding St. Patrick is Croagh Patrick in County Mayo. Here he fasted in 441 AD for 40 days. It is believed that the remains of this popular saint are buried in the grounds of Downpatrick Cathedral in County Down.
In 795AD the Vikings attacked Ireland and in 837 AD Viking Dragon warships came at the mouth of the Liffey. The city of Dublin was taken five years later for a brief time but again 17 years later the Vikings under Olaf the White established a permanent settlement at Dyflinn which was later became Dublin. In 1155, through the papal bull ‘Laudabiliter’, the lordship over Ireland was given by Pope Adrian IV to King Henry II of England.
Another turning point in the History of Ireland is the Irish Rebellion of 1641. The rebellion developed as an inter-communal violence between native Irish Catholics and Scottish and English Protestant settlers. Another of the important Facts about Ireland is that the British and the Irish Parliament passed the Act of Union in 1801. Through this Act the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain was merged to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the country came under direct rule by the United Kingdom Parliament in London.
In the late 19th century Ireland was struck by the Great Famine from 1845-49 when millions died of starvation. The Irish War of Independence took place from January 1919 to July 1921. This was fight for independence against the British government by the Irish Republican Army. Through the Government of Ireland Act which was passed in 1920 and a treaty in 1921 between the British Government and the leaders of the Irish Republic, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were born.
Sightseeing in Ireland
For Sightseeing in Ireland you can see various castles, churches, towns, villages and natural sites. Some popular Attractions of Ireland which you can visit to know about the Facts about Ireland are –
- Cape Clear Island, Cork
- Cork County Hall, Cork
- National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
- Market Square, Letterkenny
- Letterkenny Town Park, Letterkenny
- St. Eunan's Cathedral, Letterkenny
- King John's Castle, Limerick
- St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick
- Hunt Museum, Limerick
- Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Design Centre, Kilkenny
- The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
- Dublin Castle, Dublin
- Chester Beatty Library, Dublin
- Wexford Wildlife Reserve, Wexford
Online information on Facts about Ireland is provided by travel.mapsofworld.
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