Westmeath — The Lake County

The story of Ireland begins with the emergence of Celtic culture in the early Bronze Age. In the late third millennium BC, there was a cultural revolution in Ireland. At the same time, the people living in Scotland, Wales and Cornwall began to adopt similar customs and traditions. This led to what we now call the Celtic world. In the second half of the fourth century BC, the Celts invaded England. They settled in the north and west and established several kingdoms. By the end of the fifth century AD, most of Britain had been conquered by the Anglo Saxons. However, some tribes remained in the south and east of England. These included the Britons, Picts, Scots and Welsh. Ireland was also affected by the arrival of the Celts. For example, the Irish language emerged around the sixth century BC. The Irish language is still used today.

Cork County is the largest county of Ireland. Its name derives from the Irish word cóc meaning "oak", referring to the abundance of oak trees in the area. In ancient times, it formed part of the kingdom of Munster. Today, it forms part of the province of Munster. There are many places to see around Cork City including Fota Wildlife Park, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre and the River Lee Estuary. The Wild Atlantic Way stretches along the west coast of Ireland, passing through the counties of Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo. The county covers 8,853 square kilometres and had a population of 590,917 people according to the 2016 census. Cork County Council is the local authority responsible for providing public services such as education, roads, libraries, waste collection, social welfare etc.

County Westmeath is one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland. Its coastline is dotted with historic castles and fortified towns. Counties Galway and Roscommon are nearby, too. The Norman invasion of Ireland began in 1169, when Strongbow landed near Waterford City. He defeated Irish forces led by King Diarmuid Mac Murchada, who died shortly thereafter. This victory opened up much of western Ireland to further conquest. In 1204, Henry II invaded Connacht and took over Dublin Castle. In the 13th century, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, fought against the Normans and eventually became king of England. His son, John, married Princess Isabella of France, and she brought her husband Louis IX of France into power. King Edward I of England conquered Ulster in the early 1300s. By 1450, he had established several settlements there, including Derry. These settlers built strong fortifications around their towns. By the 16th century, the English had taken control of most of Ireland. They ruled it until 1922, when Ireland gained independence.

The number of Irish language speakers in Ireland has risen dramatically since 2011. In 2016 there were just under 4,900 people living in County Clare alone who speak Irish. This represents a 49% increase in Irish speaking residents compared to 2001. In County Kerry, where there are around 5,500 Irish language speakers, the number rose by nearly 40%. In both counties, the majority of those who speak Irish live in urban areas. In County Clare, 78% of Irish speakers live in towns and cities, while in County Kerry it is 79%. However, in rural areas Irish speaking communities still exist. In County Clare, 23% of Irish speakers live outside of urban centres, while in County Kerry this figure stands at 25%. The growth of Gaelicisation has been attributed to several factors. One is the fact that many young people choose to learn Irish because it is seen as a way to preserve the culture. Another factor is the increasing popularity of Irish music among younger generations. Finally, the economic downturn in Ireland has had a positive effect on the number of Irish speakers. Many Irish speakers became unemployed during the recession, which forced them to seek work abroad. When they returned home, they brought their knowledge of Irish with them.