234 interesting facts about ireland

Read the text carefully and then answer the questions.
Northern Ireland is sometimes called ULSTER and it consists of six counties:
Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry. Belfast is the
capital city. The island is surrounded by sea. Five of the mentioned six counties
meet at Lough Neagh, a vast lake that is formed by volcanic lava.
Giant’s Causeway is the eighth wonder of the world. It consists of about 40,000
regular hexagonal-shaped mass basalt columns, packed closely together at
different heights. Some clusters of columns make distinctive shapes which have
been given appropriate names such as Giant’s Organ, the Punchbowl and the
Wishing Chair. According to the legend this was the Giants’ work and in
particular, the work of the giant called Finn McCool. He was very strong and one
time when he fought with a Scottish giant, he picked up a huge piece of earth
and threw it at him. Then the earth fell into the sea and became the Isle of Man.
As a result, the hole filled with water and called Lough Neagh . Another legend
is connected to this wonder it is said to be the end of a road, because Finn fell in
love with a lady giant who lived in the Scottish Hebrides at Staffa, that is why he
began to build this wide causeway to bring her across to Ulster.
Antrim, there are nine glenns or valleys which form a lovely and romantic area
of rivers, waterfalls, wild flowers and birds. People who lived there are great
storytellers. Storytelling was always part of Irish life. The Irish said to be
superstitious people. Stories were told in oral form about gods, fairies, warfare
and romance by the side of fire and so many of folk tales survived. Some fairies
are the following: Leprechaun, Banshee, Love Fairy, Mermaids, Pooka, Selkies,
Fairies and Tuatha De Dannan.
The central part of Northern Ireland is flat and rural, but there lies Sperrin
Mountain which cuts away the area. In the south–west the lakes of County
Fermanagh are full of fish. The largest lake is Lough Erne. As a visitor you can


go fishing or hire a boat to visit some of the islands in the lake. One of the most
visited is Devenish with its round tower, which was used by monks for defence.

Dublin is situated on the River Liffey and the capital of the Republic of Ireland.
The city took place in the 1916 Easter Rising against the British.
Many great writers and poets have come from Dublin including: Jonathan Swift,
Oscar Wilde, G. B. Shaw, W. B. Yeats and James Joyce.
The other capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast .This town was industrialized,
made ships and aircraft.
The whole island has got one national patron saint called St. Patrick. He was
actually born in Wales, was the son of a Roman father. Patrick became a monk in
France and went to Ireland in 432. He converted many people to Christianity.
There are different stories about his power. One of them is a real evidence: there
are no snakes in Ireland. He said to have tricked them all. They went to the sea.
He is also used the shamrock plant to explain the Christian idea of Trinity,
because it has three leaves on one stem. That is why it is traditional for Irish
peolpe to wear a shamrock and drink green beer on 17 March.(St. Patrick’s Day)
People often go to, pubs to meet and drink with their friends or families, they
serve a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. The most traditional drink is beer. It
has got three types: British beer or ale is brewed and should not be drink cold;
bitters are also popular and have a strong taste; lager beer is cold and more
gassy than ale. In a bar you can have a round or a drink for each person in a
group. Pubs are important in social life with their own character and atmosphere.
Some of them serves pub meals (sausages, chips) or international dishes. An
interesting habit exists the following when it is closing time comes, the barman or
barmaid rings a bell and calls out ”Last orders!” to give them time for ordering
one more drink. After it the bar person calls ”Time!” Customers have ten minutes
for finishing their drinks and must leave.
Pubs names can be seen outside with a picture on it. Many names are very old
and have their roots in legends, some named after kings and queens or historical
figures or others refer to things in country life.
Irish dance is quite a huge variety of different types of dance because of the
immigrants who brought their traditions and customs. In the early time the first

Druids were brought their religious dance. Later the Anglo- Normans’ leader sang
in the middle of the circle of dancers. In the sixteenth century there are three
principal Irish dance types. The Irish Hey with women dancers wound around
their partners, the Rinne Fada and the Trenchmore. The last one is an old Irish
peasant dance. Dances were acted out in big halls and castles. Music was
played on the bagpipes and the harp. Nowadays, Michael Flatley is one of the
most famous Irish-American step dancer and choreographer.
Answer the questions:
How many counties are there in Ulster? What are these?
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What do you know about the eighth wonder of the world?(name,..)
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Why are the Irish superstitious people?
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Mention some fairies,please.
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What do you know about the round tower?
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What legend is connected to St. Patrick?
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Who is one the most famous Irish dancer in the world?
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Are the statements true or false?
Whiskey is the traditional drink in pubs._________
The Rinne Fada is is an old Irish peasant dance. _________
There are no snakes in Ireland. ________
Finn Mc Cool fought with a Scottish giant. ___________
After ”time” customers have ten minutes and must leave the pub. _________
Match the pictures and write down their names.

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Write a short composition about visiting Ireland._______________________
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__________________________________I hope you enjoyed visiting Ireland.