These interesting facts about Ireland will inspire you to get on the next flight to the country.
Ireland is one of the interesting countries that should be on one’s bucket list this year. The island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean has a lot of things to like, from its interesting history to its unique culture and plenty of attractions. The Island country also has some interesting facts that will make one want to visit. For travelers still contemplating visiting Ireland, here are some facts about the country that will have you getting on the next flight.
The world-famous Guinness Stout has its origins in Ireland. It was founded in Dublin by a brewer named Arthur Guinness in Dublin. It first went public in 1759, and today, it has spread to all parts of the world, making it one of the most successful alcoholic beverages in the world. When in Ireland, visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a must-do thing as it is an opportunity to learn about the history of the liquor and also enjoy a few glasses of wine with delicious food.
Before becoming an independent republic, Ireland was under the British Empire for more than a century. It first came under British rule in 1801 and eventually gained independence in 1922 after an intense war of independence. Today, it is a free country with a functioning democracy and two official names – Ireland and Erie.
One popular thing many do not know about Ireland is the fact that its native name was derived from the name of an Irish goddess. The Irish language name of the country is “Eire,” and this name was derived from the name of a goddess called Eiru. She was the matron goddess of Ireland.
The word “Ireland” is a combination of the last three letters of the country’s language name – “Eire” and the word “land.”
While Wales and New Zealand are known for having some extremely long place names, Ireland is not left out of the league. It also has some hilariously long place names that are worthy of being termed some of the world’s longest places names. Muckanaghederdauhaulia is one of these long-place names in Ireland, although there are others like Bullaunancheathrairaluinn. These words originate from the Irish language, so good luck to English speakers who try to pronounce them.
For some more crazy places names, check out these towns with impossibly long names in Canada.
Drinking is deeply ingrained into the culture of Ireland, which is why there are plenty of pubs all over the city. Ireland has even been known as one of the countries with the most pubs in the world. This just makes the island more exciting as visitors will have lots of places to hang out, grab a drink, and make some friends.
Ireland is home to many historical attractions, but there’s something particularly unique about one known as Newgrange. Newgrange is a prehistoric monument characterized by a mound structure and several large surrounding stones, which are designed with megalithic art. It was built as a grand passage tomb, and according to dating, this site was built around 3200 BC, which makes it about 5,200 years old. This makes Newgrange older than the Great Pyramids of Giza and even Stonehenge. Such a fascinating ancient site is a must-see when in Ireland.
Lovers of sky scenery, particularly the northern lights, will be entertained in Ireland as the island is a great place to see those beautiful colors. One of the best places to see the Northern lights in Ireland is in Donegal, which is Ireland's Northernmost region, and the best time to see the mesmerizing lights is September to October and March to April.
Ireland is one of the countries in the world with the most castles. Here, one will find more than 20,000 castles aloof that are stunning and historic. Even if one had to see about 10 castles a day in this country, it would still take up to 10 years to see every single one of the castles. It is impossible to see them all, but one can dedicate time to seeing some popular ones, such as – The Rock of Cashel, Dunluce Castle, Burnratty Castle, and Dublin Castle. Some Irish castles even allow visitors to stay and learn more about them.
Snakes can be a hindrance to an enjoyable vacation, but in Ireland, that is not the case because this island does not have a single such reptile within its territory.
Not having snakes is one of the most interesting facts about Ireland. Imagine being in a country where there are no risks of snake bites. The experience becomes safer and less scary compared to a country like Australia, where walking into a forest is like walking into one’s worse nightmare.
There are two main explanations for this fact. According to one by National Geographic, Ireland's complete lack of snakes is believed to have been the result of the last ice age which made the island unfavorable for the reptiles. When the ice age was over, the island was separated from other parts of the continent by the sea, thereby keeping the snakes from crossing over.
The second and most widely believed explanation for Ireland’s lack of snakes is the myth of the banishment of snakes from the island by St. Patrick. According to the myth, St. Patrick, in the process of bringing Catholicism to the island, banished the snakes as it was considered to be one of the evil animals in Christianity and other Abrahamic religions such as Judaism.
Throughout the long history of Ireland, several parts of the island have boomed and flourished during the times of plenty, and many were eventually abandoned when the source of the wealth vanished. These places are now ghost towns spread out all over the island. Clonmines – one of the island’s popular ghost towns, comes with a stunning medieval feel and picturesque natural scenery. Sitting on the shores of Bannow Bay, this town is said to be the finest example of a medieval abandoned town. The reason for its abandonment is not completely known, but all that’s known is that the town flourished in the 14th century and eventually became deserted in the 17th century after the river dried up.
Many other ghost towns like this are located on this island, and they all come with interesting histories and a creepy feel that satisfies thrill seekers.
The much-beloved event known to the world today as Halloween has its origin in Ireland. The event first started as the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was a pagan event held every year to usher in the harvest at the end of summer. The Celtic festival of Samhain was marked by the lighting of bonfires and the wearing of costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century when Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a day to honor saints, and the day before that became known as All Hallows Eve. Much of the festive activities associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain became incorporated into All Hallows Eve, and a few others, like trick or treating and carving of lanterns, became introduced later on. With time, the event became known as Halloween, which is what is now celebrated annually in many parts of the world on October 31.
Joshua is a writer, researcher, adventurer, and traveler. His curiosity is his ultimate drive and most of the things he is particularly curious about include – the earth, archaeology, history, myths, and the unseen world. Joshua loves singing and dancing as much as he loves food, agriculture, animals, writing and traveling. He is a simple person who often attributes some of his happiest moments in life to little and natural things such as dancing in the rain and laughing at his own thoughts. Email him at [email protected]
11 Interesting Facts About Ireland That Will Make You Want To Visit – TheTravel
