Ireland

The republic of Ireland is a small island country in north western Europe. This independent country occupies over 80% of the area of the island of Ireland. The other 20% is occupied by Northern Ireland. Ireland is divided into 26 counties and 4  provinces. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, west and south and by the Irish Sea to the east across which lies Britain. Ireland is a country renowned for its natural beauty and lush green landscape and for this reason it has earned the title "THE EMERALD ISLE".

 

LANDSCAPE

Ireland occupies 70,285 square kilometers of contrasting scenic land. The central plain of Ireland is mainly low lying bog land and the mountains rise along the coast. Ireland's highest point is Mt. Carrauntoohil which rises to a height of 1041 metres. Ireland's largely indented west coast boasts many spectacular coastal tourist areas. Ireland's longest river: the Shannon runs 370km through the heart of the country.

 

The republic of Ireland has a population of 3,547,000, over 1 million of whom live in Ireland's capital  and largest city, Dublin. Ireland has 2 official languages: 1) Irish or gaelic - the traditional language of the people. 2) English - Adopted from the British who ruled the country for hundreds of years. 93% of the Irish people are Roman Catholics  and the remaining 7% are mostly other forms of Christianity. The Irish currency is the euro and the climate is mild and wet. 

 

HISTORY

Between the years 1845 and 1847 Ireland experienced a major famine  which killed about 750,000 people and forced thousands more to flee the country. In 1949 Ireland was declared a Republic after hundreds of years under British rule. In 1955 ireland was admitted to the UN and in 1973 Ireland joined the EU.
                                      

Our National Flag

 

The tricolour Irish flag represents 3 things:

Green - represents Irelands  Roman Catholics

Orange - represents Irelands protestants

White - represents the desire for peace between the 2 religions. 

Ireland

Donegal is a County situated on the north-west coast of Ireland. It is one of the 9 counties in the province of Ulster. It is bordered by Northern Ireland to the east and south-east and by the Atlantic ocean to the north, west and south-west. Donegal is the most northerly county in Ireland.

 

LANDSCAPE

Donegal is known for its picturesque mountains, lakes and many inlets and contains many tourist areas such as Bundoran and Downings. Donegal is largely a mountanous county and includes the Derryveagh and Blue Stack mountains. Donegal's highest mountain is Mt. Errigal at 752 metres. The county has many dramatic sea cliffs such as the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League, rising 601 metres above the sea in the south-west of the county.

 

Donegal has a population of around 150,000 people and the largest town is letterkenny. Donegal is a major fishing county with the largest fishing port in Irealand at Killybegs in the south of the county. Donegal name comes from the Irish words Dun na nGall which translates to "Fort of the Foreigners". The county has many Gealtacht areas where people commonly speak Irish.