IRELAND
- Population: 4 million (UN, 2004)
- Capital: Dublin
- Area: 70,182 sq km (27,097 sq miles)
- Major languages: English, Irish
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cen
The Emerald Isle- there is no almost no place better and more celebrated, and no other pub greater than a good Irish pub. An introduction to one of the Irish’ grandest invention will never be sufficient lest there’s one in arms reach. Besides this and the St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish have become no strangers to the world through their own endeavours. And we are talking about famous Irish that’s a part of both old and new history. So beyond the meat and potatoes, clover, and leprechaun jokes, there is unquestionably a lot more to Ireland and the Irish – the high jagged cliff panorama, the imposing seascapes, the thick lush foliage, and deep-set vibrant traditions.
The Irish tradition of storytelling in song, poetry, and prose, written or spoken, are so celebrated, so integral, and so influential to world literature (beyond English) and modern arts. Ireland has produced among the greatest singers, writers, and actors from the old days of glory to the new days of light such as writers like Joyce, Lewis, Wilde, Behan, and Yeats; musicians U2, Corrs, and Westlife; and actors as Brosnan, Branagh, Neeeson, Farrell, Day-Lewis and Dempsey. After all, limericks are from Irish county Limerick. In science, the prowess of the Irish can never be denied with their attainments on the inventions of colour photography, leprosy cure, modern tractor, submarine, armoured tank, guided missile, and ejector seat among others.
GEOGRAPHY
Ireland (53 00 N, 8 00 W) holds a territory of 70,273 km2 of mostly flat to undulating plains going inland, while a ring of hills and mountains surrounding the low interior plains. On the coasts westward are sea cliffs. The highest elevation in the country is the Carrauntoohil at 1,041 m. About 77% of Ireland is meadows and pastures and only 10% is arable land.
CLIMATE
Generally, Ireland’s climate is temperate maritime that is mild overall (thanks to the Atlantic Gulf Stream), with some extremes at the same time. Winters are mild and summers, cool. Ireland experiences frequent rainfall as it is overcast half the time, hence, relentlessly humid. The farther towards the west, the wetter and more prone the land is to Atlantic storms. The coldest months are January to February with a mean temperature 7°C, whereas during summer, the warmest months July and August, result to temperatures between 22°C-24°C, besides 11 hours of daylight.
PEOPLE
Ireland has been inhabited for 9,000 years. Then from between the 16th to 19th century, Ireland experienced a population boom which was rather short-lived. But in the 1840’s a devastating famine resulted to death by millions, and with the insinuated diaspora the population was cut in half over the next century. At present, the Irish population is 4,203,200 of mainly a Gaelic populace derived from Vikings, Scots, Normans, and British that have inhabited the land over the past centuries. From the said emigration gave way to what is now a huge population claiming Irish ancestry in Canada (4.3 million) and the US (36 million). There also exists a minority of Black and Asian groups.
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH is the current de facto official language and has been in use since the Middle Ages. IRISH (Gaelic) is also officially used mainly along the west coastal region by about 10% of the population. Other languages spoken are SCOTTISH and some Asian languages.
RELIGION
Christianity is the major religious group in Ireland, particularly Roman Catholics. This represents about 87%. The others are Protestants, Anglican, Jewish, and some are Muslim.
ATTRACTIONS
Countless proper places in Ireland are tourist destinations. Ireland is undeniably exotic and yet so familiar, just like the voice from the Irish train announcement. Even the rather unstable peace situation in Belfast in Northern Ireland is rendered incapable of tarnishing what are essentially and admittedly the ultimate watering holes. The Guinness is no Guinness unless imbibed in a Belfast pub. But, other than the pubs, the skilled hands of the Irish have produced many imposing architectural creations from a functional structure as the Trinity College to the Kylemore Abbey Castle. Speaking of, castles are the scene-stealers in the Shannon Region from County Clare, County Tipperay, and County Limerick. Otherwise the sleepy Marble City, the medieval town of Kilkenny, is a serene place to chill and sample on the local culture and food fare. And there is very little wonder as to where the inspiration is from for their endeavours that the world now credits for now and eternity.
Surely, the thick, green, and lush foliage that stimulates and provides revelation to these Irish masters and their works-of-art supply the explanation to the sobriquet Emerald Isle. And it is indeed green in country mostly. The majestically intimidating moss green vista from the Moher cliffs, the characteristically rolling lime terrain in central Ireland, and the jade backdrop of sleepy villages are exceptional and in a entirely league of their own. For multi-colours, people, and local atmosphere, Dublin it is with 40% of the population living in and within 100 km of Dublin to entertain you sans tragedy, casualty, and violence. Dublin is an easy window to Irish culture through Gaelic games, Irish music, western sports, and prose and poetry, sustained amidst development and easily defying stigmas and expectations even pertaining to the cuisine.
FOOD
Irish cuisine is apparently far from being the worst in the world. The classic Irish fare of hot, steamy lamb stew, delectably comforting Guinness pie, and a hearty swill from a pint of Guinness – nothing can either be more poetic or Irish. But as concerns the culinary, Ireland is the world’s next culinary superpower. The Irish understand cheese, seafood, fish, and game, at the same time know what to do with the nasties using the techniques of the culinary past and that of the present. There’s no contest that the standard “meat and potatoes” are less than appealing, and anyone can always make jokes.
But in the end, nothing’s wrong with a dish of the classic meat and potatoes. Also, it is to the traveller’s advantage that the Irish don’t like fish much with 75% of the Irish catch being exported to other countries. The irresistible lobsters and oysters, to the delicate sea urchins, the sea of Ireland is gastronomic heaven on earth. A taste of the Irish breakfast with boxty (fried potato bread), bacon, sausage, and eggs will be an unforgettably delightful experience, although the black pudding might be too Irish for any traveller.
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Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
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