Portal:Ireland

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Fáilte ar Phortal na hÉireann!
Hailsin tae tha Airlann Portal!
Welcome to the Ireland Portal!

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Northern Ireland

Ireland (Irish: Éire; Ulster Scots: Airlann) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth largest island in the world. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland, separated by the Irish Sea, is the island of Great Britain. Politically, the Republic of Ireland (also known simply as Ireland) covers five sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, covering the remainder in the northeast.

The population of the island is slightly under six million (2006/7), with almost 4.25 million in the Republic of Ireland (1.7 million in Greater Dublin) and an estimated 1.75 million in Northern Ireland (0.6 million in Greater Belfast). This is a significant increase from a modern historical low in the 1960s, but still much lower than the peak population of over 8 million in the early 19th century, prior to the Great Famine.

The name Ireland derives from the name Ériu (in modern Irish, Éire) with the addition of the Germanic word land. Most other Western European names for Ireland, such as French Irlande, Spanish and Italian Irlanda, and German Irland, derive from the same source. Read more ...

Selected article

The Clàrsach (Gd.) or Cláirseach (Ga.) is the name given to the wire-strung harp of either Scotland or Ireland. The word was originally cruit, but clàrsach begins to make its appearance in the sources by the end of the 14th century.

The earliest descriptions of a European triangular framed harp i.e. harps with a fore pillar are found on 8th century Pictish stones. Pictish harps were strung from horsehair. The instruments apparently spread south to the Anglo Saxons who commonly used gut strings and then west to the Gaels of the Highlands and to Ireland. Historically the carvings were made in the period after the establishment of the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata. Despite the lack of direct evidence, some argue for a Gaelic influence. However, there are only thirteen depictions of any triangular chordophone from pre-11^th century Europe, and twelve of them come from Scotland. Moreover, the earliest Irish word for a harp is in fact Cruit, a word which strongly suggests a Pictish provenance for the instrument.

One study suggests Pictish stone carvings may be copied from the Utrecht Psalter, the only other source outside Pictish Scotland to display a Triangular Chordophone instrument. The Utrecht Psalter was penned between 816-835 A.D. While Pictish Triangular Chordophone carvings found on the Nigg Stone dates from 799 A.D. and pre-dates the document by up to thirty-five years. Read more...

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Selected biography

U2 (IPA: /ˌjuːˈtuː/) are a rock band from Dublin, Ireland. The band consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar) and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion).

U2 formed in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. By the mid-1980s, however, the band had become a top international act, noted for their anthemic sound, Bono's impassioned vocals, and The Edge's textural guitar playing. Their success as a live act was greater than their success at selling records until their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, increased the band's stature "from heroes to superstars," according to Rolling Stone. U2 responded to the dance and alternative rock revolutions, and their own sense of musical stagnation by reinventing themselves with their 1991 album Achtung Baby and the accompanying Zoo TV Tour. Similar experimentation continued for the rest of the 1990s. Since 2000, U2 have pursued a more traditional sound that retains the influence of their musical explorations. Read more...charlie pruett is the onyl one that i hate so much bob saget

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Ireland topics

Ireland · Republic of Ireland · Northern Ireland

History

Politics

Ireland	Economics · Nationalism · Unionism · Single transferable vote

Republic of Ireland	Government · Parliament (Lower House · Upper House) · Constitution · Local government · Economy (Celtic Tiger)

Northern Ireland	Peace process · Government · Assembly (D'Hondt method) · Local government · Economy

Geography

General	Counties · Republic of Ireland-United Kingdom border · Transport

Cities	Dublin · Belfast · Cork · Derry · Limerick · Galway

Attractions	The Burren · Giant's Causeway · Aran Islands · Ring of Kerry

Culture

Languages	Irish · Ulster Scots · Shelta · Hiberno-English

Literature	Poetry · Fiction · Theatre · Irish-language · Mythology

Music	Pub sessions · Traditional sessions · Rock

Dance	Stepdancing · Set dancing · Riverdance

People	Gaels · Ulster-Scots · Travellers · Anglo-Irish · Britons

Sport	Gaelic Athletic Association · Irish Football Association · Football Association of Ireland · Irish Rugby Football Union

Other	Architecture · Cuisine · Irish calendar

Symbols

Flags	Tricolour · Ulster Banner · Saint Patrick's Flag · Northern Ireland flags issue

Patron saints	Saint Patrick · Brigid of Kildare

Other	Coat of arms · Shamrock · Clàrsach (Irish harp)

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Did you know...

...that to the Romans, Scotia was another name for Hibernia, both meaning Ireland?
...that according to traditional Irish genealogy, all Irish people are descended from King Milesius?
...that Gregg shorthand was invented by Co. Monaghan-born, John Robert Gregg?
...that Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, being first settled in 853?

Archive...

Quick archive

...that until 1953 both the IFA and FAI fielded international teams under the name of Ireland?
...that seventh-century Irish saint, Saint Fiacre, is the patron saint of taxi drivers?
...that Cashel, Co. Tipperary was made a city by charter of Charles II in 1667, but lost city status when its city corporation was abolished by the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840?
...that Newry had greatest rise in house prices in the United Kingdom over the last decade, with prices increasing by 371% since 1996?
…that in 1903, George Moore, from a Catholic family and then aged 51, announced himself to be a Protestant in a letter to the Irish Times newspaper?
…that David Feldman, an Irish philatelist now based in Geneva, auctioned the world's most expensive postage stamp, the Swedish Treskilling Yellow for 2.5 million Swiss francs in 1996?
...that Jonathan Swift called his predecessor "that rascal Dean Jones" because he made such bad property leases whilst Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin?
...that the Mount Sandel Mesolithic site in Coleraine, County Londonderry is the oldest archaeological site in Ireland?
...that Wellington Testimonial in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, is the largest obelisk in Europe?
...that shamrock is an internationally registered trademark of the Government of Ireland?
...that Ireland consumes more tea per head of population than any other country in the world?
...that Letterkenny has the longest main street in Ireland?
...that the remains of Saint Nicholas are said to be buried close to Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny, having been brought back from the Crusades by a 12th century knight?
...that cycle polo, a variant of polo played on bicycles instead of horses, originated in Ireland in 1891?
...that the River Foyle is the fastest flowing river in Europe and is crossed by Europe's only double-decker bridge?
...that Paul McGrath, growing up in orphanages, was known as Paul Nwobilo until eventually tracked down by his mother, Betty McGrath?
...that Cork Harbour is one of several harbours that lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area".
...that Robert the Bruce, the 14th century king of Scotland, popularised a "pan-Gaelic Greater Scotia" and his brother Edward Bruce was the last High King of Ireland?
...that City Hall in Cork was paid for by the British government as a gesture of reconciliation during the 1930s to replace the one burnt down by British forces during the War of Independence?
...that the English phrase "By Hook or by Crook" is said to be derived from attempts to take Waterford in 1649 by Hook, meaning Hook Head on the east side of Waterford Harbour, or by Crook, a village on the west side of the harbour?
...that Private James Daly, who led the The Connaught Rangers mutiny in India during the War of Independence, was the last member of the British armed forced to be executed for mutiny?
...that Dublin University Football Club, Trinity's Rugby Union club, established in 1854, has a strong claim to be the world's oldest football club?
...that Newfoundland, in eastern Canada, has a unique dialect of Irish, closely resembling the Irish spoken during the 16th to 17th centuries and called Newfoundland Irish?
...that the Dell manufacturing plant in Raheen, Limerick produces 30,000—60,000 personal computers per day and contributes 5.8% of Irish GDP?
...that in 1631 the entire population of the village of Baltimore, County Cork was kidnapped by Algerian pirates in what became known as the Sack of Baltimore?
...that the modern game of croquet was invented in Ireland in the 1830s?
...that the Guinness company once produced a Marmite-like yeast extract spread called Guinness Yeast Extract?
...the Choctaw tribe in America donated $170 towards famine relief in Ireland in 1847?
...that Sir Francis Beaufort, creator of the famed Beaufort Scale, was born in Navan in County Meath? Or that his restored Georgian home in Navan was controversially demolished in the 1990s to build a road?
...that Newgrange is a 5000 year old passage tomb pre-dating the pyramids and Stonehenge? The builders had astronomical knowledge to precisely illumininate the internal passages of the tomb during the winter solstice?
...that the Ó Siochfhradha brothers were Irish Language teachers and writers from Dingle?
...that Fran Dempsey, who acted as Fortycoats in the 1980s RTÉ children's program, is Ian Dempsey's father?
...that the 4m people living in the Republic represent only half citizens of the State?
...that Xtravision, Ireland's largest chain of video rental stores, was valued at IR£27m (€34m) when it went spectacularly bankrupt in 1991?
...that Griffith College Dublin is a private university located on South Circular Road in Dublin?
...that the RTE puppet Dustin the Turkey has mockingly run for President of Ireland several times?
...that people from Westport, County Mayo, are traditionally known as Coveys, and used to speak a dialect unintelligible to outsiders?
...that Dubliners have humorous nicknames for the city's monuments, including the The Stiletto in the Ghetto and the Floozie in the Jacuzzi?
...that the various incarnations of the IRA were/are run by a chief of staff and that over 30 people have held this position since 1917?
...that, with a top rate of 12.5%, Ireland has the third lowest corporate tax rate in the world?
...that, with 10,000 dead, the 1316 Battle of Athenry was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Ireland?
...that the Treaty Ports of Cobh, Lough Swilly and Berehaven were UK sovereign bases from 1921 until 1938?
...that the Bogside Artists are a trio of mural painters in Derry?
...that Limerick city was besieged three times in the 17th century?
...Irish Times journalist Arthur Quinlan has interviewed every US president since Harry Truman?
...that gas bubbles travel downwards in a pint glass of Guinness ale?
...The Wanderings of Oisin, published in 1889, was Yeats’ first publication outside of magazines, immediately winning his reputation as a significant poet?
...that Irish songwriter Christy Moore wrote a comic song about the building of the Knock Airport, which transports hundreds of pilgrims to and from the Roman Catholic shrine at Knock, declaring, "I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock"?
...that, unlike oft-violent hurling, its female variant, camogie, forbids any unnecessary physical contact?

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Selected picture

A reconstructed crannóg on Loch Tay in Scotland of a the kind found in Ireland also from the Neolithic period until as late as the Middle Ages.

Archive...

Quick archive

Famine sculpture at the IFSC	An anti-Irish cartoon from 1871
William Butler Yeats, by John Butler Yeats	Wind-surfing on Lough Lene, Co. Westmeath
Iron cross, Malin Head, Co. Donegal	Newgrange, Co. Meath
The Foyle at night.	Carlingford Lough
Redwood Castle, Co. Tipperary	St. Eunan's College, Letterkenny
Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny	Dervish at Eurovision 2007
Gaelic Irish soldiers	Scotch Quay, Waterford
Theatre Royal, Wexford	Lighthouse at Hook Head
City Hall, Belfast	Doolin, Co. Clare
Yeats' grave, Co. Sligo	Oxegen 2007, Co. Kildare
City Hall, Cork	Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare
St. Stephen's Green, Dublin	St. Eunan's Cathedral
The Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry	Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim, Cavan
Clew Bay, Co. Mayo	Athenry, Co. Galway
Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, Dublin	The Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim
Slieve League, Co. Donegal

Selected series: Irish cities

Derry / Londonderry
Doire / Doire Cholm Cille

Vita Veritas Victoria
"Life, Truth, Victory"

Statistics

Population (2001)

90,663
City: 83,652

Featured articles

1981 Irish hunger strike · Abbey Theatre · Aldfrith of Northumbria · Samuel Beckett · Book of Kells · Andrew Cunningham · Tom Crean · Derry City F.C. · Geography of Ireland · Irish Victoria Cross recipients · Michael Gomez · Lady Gregory · Irish phonology · Paul Kane · James Joyce · James II of England · George Moore · Cillian Murphy · Arthur Ernest Percival · Postage stamps of Ireland · Representative peer · Ernest Shackleton · John Millington Synge · The Waterboys · William Butler Yeats · U2

Former featured articles

Celtic tiger · Donegal fiddle tradition · Economy of Ireland · History of Limerick · Éire · Irish Houses of Parliament ·
Irish theatre · Irish poetry · President of Ireland · Ryanair

Note: Links in bold have been featured on the main page.

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United Kingdom	Northern Ireland	Scotland	Isle of Man	Wales	Cornwall	England	European Union	Europe

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Related Wikimedia projects

Vicífhoclóir — Wiktionary in the Irish language
Vicipéid — Wikipedia in the Irish language
Wikinews Ireland — Wikinews for Ireland
Wikipaedia — Wikipedia in the Scots language

How to link here

Simply add {{portal|Ireland}} to a page. If you need to use a flag, to avoid causing offense, please use the Four Provinces flag e.g. {{portal|Ireland|4_provinces.svg}}.

If you are new to Wikipedia then Céad Mile Fáilte! This portal is for articles on Wikipedia that relate to Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). Like all of Wikipedia, it is written collaboratively and, like any article that you find using it, it too can be edited by anyone.

There is an active community of editors working on Ireland-related articles on Wikipedia and there are dedicated projects that tie this community together. To get in touch with them - or just to find out more - drop by at one of the parent Ireland-related projects:

WikiProject Ireland (all-island)
Wikiproject Northern Ireland

If you want to get involved in contributing to Wikipedia, don't worry - everybody needs some help at the start. If you get into trouble you can always ask another Wikipedian for help. These guides should get you up-and-running on how Wikipedia works and how you can contribute:

Getting started: This introduction explains how Wikipedia works. When you're ready, you can try the tutorial.
Questions about Wikipedia: The Frequent Ask Questions page has answers to all kinds of questions asked about Wikipedia.

If you would like to involve yourself with the Irish on Wikipedia, the section below will connect you to communities of editors working on specific Ireland-related topics. It also contains an up-to-date to do list for Ireland-related articles so you can start helping out right now. Click [show] (below, right) to see it all:

How you can improve Ireland-related articles on Wikipedia... !

v • d • e Irish Wikipedia address book

WikiProject Ireland · WikiProject Northern Ireland · Manual of Style

Portals:	Ireland · Northern Ireland

WikiProjects:	Belfast · European Union · Gaeilge · Irish literature · Irish Republicanism · Irish Maritime

Contact:	Irish Wikipedians' Notice Board · Northern Irish Wikipedians' Notice Board · Irish Wikipedians · Northern Irish Wikipedians · Wikipedians in Ireland

Please add what information to the address book that you can!

· history · watch · refresh

To-do list for Wikipedia:Irish Wikipedians' notice board:

Please keep these lists alphabetical!

To start

All the red links off List of Irish artists
All the red links off List of Irish newspapers
All the red links off List of Irish theatres and theatre companies

DS&ER, etc.
Frank McBrearty
Great Irishry
Hellfire Club - Hunting lodge on Mt. Pelier, in the Dublin Mountains
Irish Farmers Association
Irish folklore - currently redirects to Irish mythology (see Folklore)
Irish railway clearing house
Irishry
The Last Furlong-New Television Show (can't we just pretend it didn't happen?)
Golden Spiders - Irish web design award
Parish pump
Rowland Southern, marine scientist
Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway, former rail line
Letterkenny railway station (CDR), former rail station
Letterkenny railway station (LLS), former rail station

To seriously rework

Clare Island should get a decent coverage of original (1909-11) Clare Island Survey as well as cover the recent second such survey.
Irish Reunification - appalling POV stuff. Needs total rewrite or binning.
Irish Republicanism - more appalling POV stuff. The Northern Ireland section is a sectarian rant.
Labour Party (Ireland). Probably the worst of the articles on Irish political parties, exclusively focused on the party's history and deals with that pretty unevenly. Needs a rewrite using serious sources and more info on Labour as a political player now, policies, organization etc.
Languages of the Republic of Ireland - you might think English was the only language of the British Isles not spoken in much of Ireland.
National College of Ireland. There was an article. I remember adding the fact that it was initially called the "Catholic Workers College" (which doesn't seem to be recorded elsewhere on the web) But it seems to have vanished! ClemMcGann 08:25, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
The Late Late Show - dePOVing needed.
Sean Ó Riada Had some serious POV problems. I've reverted the worst of it, but the article still lacks information on his notability.
Home Nations Has some serios POV problems - can someone take a look?
Nationality of people from the United Kingdom - removing references to Ireland - can someone take a look to make sure I'm not being too over-enthusiastic.

Requesting review:

Blarney - See recent update Peter Clarke 19:46, 21 December 2006 (UTC)
Enterprise (train) - not too sure on varied specifics.
Lough Gur
Ogham
Saint Patrick - The question of dates and unverified sources used for article.
Sinn Féin Printing & Publishing Company

Ongoing projects:

City and county positioning maps

To find Non-Copyrighted images

Ireland articles needing images (risen to 3,400+ as of October 2008)
Camogie
County Crest for County Armagh
Donegal fiddle tradition
George Reavey
Stanley Woods
Theatre Royal, Dublin
Wrenboys

To expand (stubs)
{{Ireland-stub}} {{Ireland-geo-stub}}