The Irish language

Peatlands

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 Skelligs

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.

The hooded crow

All the info you need for Cork's St Patrick's Day Parade

All the info you need for Cork's St Patrick's Day Parade

Cork County is home to the biggest collection of Irish castles and gardens outside of Ireland. These include the world famous Blarney Castle, the ruins of the medieval city of Clonakilty, and the beautiful gardens of Ballymaloe House. There are over 1000km of beautiful beaches along the coastline. Many of the towns and villages boast stunning scenery and there are many great walking routes nearby. Inland there are plenty of things to do. You could take a trip to the Blarney Stone, visit the historic town of Kinsale, go fishing off the coast, or enjoy some golfing.

Nosta Restaurant

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.

Nosta Restaurant
Prehistoric Ireland

Prehistoric 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.

Emergence of Celtic Ireland

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.

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Late antiquity and early medieval times

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.

Late antiquity and early medieval times

Frequently Asked Questions

The Irish language is a Celtic language spoken primarily in Ireland and parts of Scotland. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages. There are two official dialects of Irish; Ulster Irish (spoken mainly in Northern Ireland) and Connacht Irish (spoken mainly in the west). Irish was once the first language of almost half of Ireland's population. Today, less than 1% of people speak Irish fluently.

I love Ireland! I have been many times and always enjoy my time there. I am not sure if I would want to live there though. There are some things I don't like about it. One thing is that they speak English instead of Irish. Another thing is that the people are really rude. I know that they are just trying to make themselves feel good, but still...