Prehistoric Ireland

Wexford — The Model County

There are over 10,000 native Irish speakers living in County Kerry alone. In addition, there are more than 5,000 students attending Irish classes in County Cork. And according to the latest census figures, more than 4,900 people use the Irish language daily outside of the education system. The Irish Language Act 1998 states that Irish must be taught in primary schools in Ireland. However, it does not require secondary school teachers to teach Irish. This means that many students do not learn Irish during their secondary schooling. Despite this, the number of Irish speakers continues to grow. In fact, there are now more Irish speakers than English speakers in Ireland. In 2016, the Irish government launched a campaign called "Irish Is Now", encouraging everyone to learn the language.

Emergence of Celtic Ireland

Cork County is home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Ireland. Located near the village of Skibbereen, it is believed to date back to around 3200 BC. This site is known as Loughscrohan Bog, and it is located within the Burren National Park. The bog is thought to contain the oldest evidence of human habitation found in Ireland. Archaeologists believe that people lived here during prehistoric times due to the presence of animal bones, tools and pottery fragments. These items have been dated back to around 3000 BC. There are many different ways to experience the area including walking, cycling, horseriding, fishing, golfing, and sailing. You could even go kayaking or canoeing. The county contains three UNESCO World heritage sites, making it a great location for families looking for adventure.

Coast and Ireland's Ancient East

Late antiquity and early medieval times

Late antiquity and early medieval times

There are currently over 10,00 Irish language learners in County Kerry. This number will increase if plans to expand the Irish Language Teaching Programme (ILTP) are approved. There are currently around 9300 students studying Irish language in the Republic of Ireland. The ILTP is part of the National Strategy for Languages and provides support for teachers and learners of Irish. In 2017/18 there were 10,811 learners enrolled in the ILTP. The ILTP aims to provide opportunities for learners to develop their knowledge and skills in Irish and to encourage others to learn it too. Learners take classes either in school or online. They receive one hour of tuition per week, with the aim being to reach proficiency level 3 within three years. In 2018, the Government announced that it intends to extend the ILTP to include additional counties in the South West, North East and Midlands. These areas are home to large numbers of Irish speakers. If the proposals go ahead, the total number of Irish language learners in Ireland could rise to 20,000.

Norman and English invasions

Cork County is home to the second largest natural harbour in Europe. With over 1,000km of coastline, there are over 1,000km beaches around Cork City and it’s surrounding areas. This region is known as “Ireland’s Ancient East” due to the rich history dating back thousands of years. The county is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ireland. In 2018 alone, tourism generated €1.5 billion for the local economy.

Norman and English invasions
Gaelicisation

Gaelicisation

The Norman invasion of Ireland began in 1169, when William II invaded and conquered Dublin. In 1204, Henry III invaded and defeated the Normans at the Battle of Lincoln. This marked the end of the Anglo-Norman period and the start of the medieval era. In 1315, Edward I invaded and captured Waterford. He later returned it to the O'Brien family. In 1641, Oliver Cromwell invaded and took control of most of Ireland. His army destroyed much of what he could not take. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded and occupied Ireland. He used Ireland as a staging ground for his campaign against England.  In 1801, Britain annexed Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Ireland

The Irish language is growing in popularity across the island of Ireland. In fact, there are now over 20,000 Irish speakers living in County Kerry alone. This growth is being driven by the increasing number of people learning the language. Gaelscoileanna (Irish schools) and Gaelcholáiste (Irish colleges) are available throughout the country.

Norman and English invasions
Ireland

The local government areas are subdivisions of counties which contain geographic regions and are responsible for providing services such as education, health care, housing, water supply and sanitation, transportation, waste management, public safety, social welfare, libraries, parks, recreation and culture, economic development, tourism, and emergency response. There are five constituencies in the area. Two of those seats are held by Sinn Féin, one by Fine Gael, one by Labour and one by Independent politicians. The boundaries of each constituency changed following the 2016 general election.

Ireland

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a pet, they may be allowed inside certain hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and campsites. Check with the owner before bringing them along though.

Anglo-Normans were the English who conquered Ireland.

No, you don't need a visa to enter Ireland.

Guinness Beer originated in Dublin, Ireland. It was created by Arthur Guinness who wanted to create a stout beer that would last longer than others. He came across yeast that would naturally ferment at low temperatures. His brewery was successful and his beer became popular worldwide.