IRELAND

Adrián García Josep Pinyot Albert Tallant

Juan Muñoz

1. Introduction We are the group C2 and we chose Ireland because the ones we liked were chosen.

2. Geography and population Climate of Ireland The climate of Ireland can be described as maritime influenced, mild and humid Climate. May to mid September is by far the warmest and generally the drier time of the year. In summer, temperatures generally are between 15°C to 20°C, bu t sometimes they can reach up to 25°C or even higher. Winter days can be drizzly, cold and short (the sun sets around 4 pm), but because of the Gulf Stream, the temperature seldom falls below freezing, an average about 7°C. Snow is very occasional, but it is more common in the mountainous regions of Ireland. Rain falls throughout the year, and the weather in Ireland can often change very quickly. Specially in fall and winter strong atlantic low-pressure systems can bring gales and uncomfortable weather with showers, thunderstorms and heavy rain, especially in the western coastal parts and the mountainous regions of Ireland. Demography of Ireland Ireland has, throughout most of its history, had a relatively small population. Until the 19th century this was comparable to other regions of similar area in Europe. Ireland experienced a major population boom in the 18th and early 19th centuries, like the rest of Europe as a result of the Agricultural and Industrial revolutions, and at the time had comparable population densities to Britain and Europe. Languages of Ireland

Two languages are spoken, English and Irish (Gaelic). During the long centuries of British control, Irish fell into disuse except in parts of western Ireland. Since the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the government has sought to reestablish Irish as a spoken language throughout the country. It is taught as a compulsory subject in schools and all government publications, street signs, and post office notices are printed in both Irish and English. English, however, remains the language in common use. Only in a few areas (the Gaeltacht), mostly along the western seaboard,

is Irish in everyday use. In 1995, a nation survey found that only 5% of Irish people frequently used the Irish language and only 2% considered it their native tongue. About 30% of the population, however, claims some proficiency in Gaelic.

Religion of Ireland The 1991 census lists 92% of the population of the Republic of Ireland as Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland: 2.35%; Presbyterian: 0.37%; Methodist: 0.14% Jewish 0.04%, Islamic: 0.11%, Jehovah's Witnesses: 0.10%, with misc. religions or a claim of no specific religious beliefs making up the other 4.89% of the population.

History The Great Hunger

On June 29, 1846, the resignation of British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel was announced. Peel's Conservative government had fallen over political fallout from repeal of the Corn Laws which he had forced through Parliament. His departure paved the way for Charles Trevelyan to take full control of Famine policy under the new Liberal government. The Liberals, known as Whigs in those days, were led by Lord John Russell, and were big believers in the principle of laissez-faire.

Period 2 Many people wonder about Notre Dame and that word, Irish. To us, it doesn't mean race exclusively; nor is it just another nickname. The fact is, it keeps alive the memory of a long, uphill fight for recognition against a spirit that was not always generous, nor even fair-minded. The Irish, as known at Notre Dame, has an authentic history and a meaning deeper even than race. Notre Dame began athletic relations chiefly with local colleges founded by various denominations. Press reports would refer to the schools as the “Baptists” or the “Methodists,” and the like. For Notre Dame it was the “Catholics,” or the “Irish.” But the players were never all of Irish ancestry; nor were they all Catholics. Period 3 This is a land of blue mountains and forest parks, mazy lakes and windswept moors, white Atlantic sands, an inland sea. In fact, it's a country that is just pretending to be small. Dozens of small towns are hidden away down among the green places of the countryside, and fishing villages string out along the shores. The towers and steeples of parish churches mark the high ground beyond trimmed hedgerows. The country's turbulent past, which still resonates today,

has also helped shape the landscape. Distinctive field patterns, for instance, are especially striking, and so are ruined castles.

3. Economy The economy of the Republic of Ireland is a modern knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment. In terms of GDP per capita, Ireland is ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the OECD and the EU-27 at 5th in the OECD-28 rankings as of 2008. In terms of GNP per capita, a better measure of national income, Ireland ranks below the OECD average, despite significant growth in recent years, at 10th in the OECD-28 rankings. GDP (national output) is significantly greater than GNP (national income) due to the repatriation of profits and royalty payments by multinational firms based in Ireland.

4. Government and Politics Ireland is a parliamentary, representative democratic republic and a member state of the European Union. While the head of state is the popularly elected President of Ireland, this is a largely ceremonial position with real political power being vested in the indirectly elected Taoiseach (prime minister) who is the head of the government.

Executive power is exercised by the government which consists of no more than 15 cabinet ministers, inclusive of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste (deputy prime minister). Legislative power is vested in the Oireachtas, the bicameral national parliament, which consists of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the President of Ireland. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The head of the judiciary is the Chief Justice who presides over the Supreme Court.

5. Education

Ireland's worldwide reputation for high quality education is built on the solid foundation of commitment to excellence. Ireland is a beautiful island, combining contemporary modern cities with an unspoilt countryside, cityscapes steeped in history and a rich natural habitat. Renowned for friendliness, our safe, English speaking country offers the warmest of welcomes to students from all over the world.

6. Culture 6.1 Architecture

The architecture of Ireland is one of the most visible features in the Irish countryside – with remains from all eras since the Stone Age abounding. Ireland is famous for its ruined and intact Norman and Anglo-Irish castles, small whitewashed thatched cottages and Georgian urban buildings.

6.2 Folklore

Stories have been, and still are told around the fire, usually with the story teller enjoying a ‘wee drop o the black stuff to whet his whistle’. (Having a glass of Guinness to quench his thirst while he tells the story).

6.3 Gastronomy

The potato is considered element basic in the ireland gastronomy. It is introduced in a typical dish called "colcannon", mashed potatoes with onion, milk, cabbage and butter.

6.4 Arts

The early history of Irish art is generally considered to begin with early

carvings found at sites such as Newgrange and is traced through Bronze Age

artefacts, particularly ornamental gold objects, and the religious carvings and

illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period.

6.5 Literature

Irish has one of the oldest vernacular literatures in western Europe (after

Greek and Latin). The Irish became fully literate with the arrival of

Christianity in the fifth century. Before that time a simple writing system

known as "ogham" was used for inscriptions. The introduction of Latin led to

the adaption of the Latin alphabet to the Irish language and the rise of a

small literate class, both clerical and lay.

7. Sport There’s a traditional sport called hurling that is like hokey on a

soccer stadium with different sticks called hurleys to hit a small ball

called sliotar between the opponent’s goalposts either over the

crossbar for one point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by

a for one goal, which is equivalent to three points. The hurlers (players) can hit

the sliotar with the hurley, or hand (but only 4 steps and send it to other hurler).

8. National Symbols

Some of their symbols and emblems of Ireland are: shamrock, harp, leprechaun,

national games -- hurling and Gaelic football, music, dances and food and

beverages. Saint Patrick’s Day too.

9. Curiosities The direction of movement of vehicles here in Ireland is different from Spain.

Motorists drive on the right side of the vehicle. In Spain, for example, the system

used is the “French hand.” To prevent accidents with tourists and outsiders who

somehow come to Ireland the government has painted at intersections and

crosswalks the words “look left” and “look right”.

The first two numbers of plate of cars indicate the year of manufacture them. Thus,

the more you take good care of your vehicle, you can not hide his true “age”.

There is no water bill for households. But that does not mean you can be wasting

water for no reason.

10. Bibliography and webgraphy

1. http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland

2. http://www.discoverireland.com/es/

3. http://www.discoverireland.ie/

4. http://www.ireland.es/

5. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland

6. http://wikitravel.org/en/Ireland