IRELAND (by Tim Vicary) Oxford Bookworms Library – Factfiles Stage2 (700 headwords)
Come ome on our tour of Irel I relan and d – its qui quiet et vil villages ges and and its bus busy y mode modern rn citi citie es, its beautiful rivers and fine beaches, its pubs and theatres, castles and towers. Ireland is full of unusual and interesting things to see. But to und understa erstand nd the Irel relan and d of today, you nee need to know about about Irel Irelan and’ d’ss history too. too. Wh Who was was Ki K ing Billy, and and why why is is he he stil still importa portant nt today? today? What happe happene ned d on Ea Easter ster Sund Sunday ay 1916? 1916? Why Why did did so man many y Iri I rish sh peopl people e le leave I rel relan and d in in the ni ninete neteen enth th century century,, and and why are so man many y people people comi coming to I rel relan and d now? Why Why was was the church church so im important portant in i n Irel Irelan and, d, and and how is is that that different today? Tak Ta ke ou our to tour through Irela Irelan nd’s pa past, and be begin to to un understand Irela Irelan nd’s present.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1 – Ireland’s story 2 – Around the island 3 – Celtic Ireland 4 – St Patrick, the Church, and the Vikings 5 – The Engl nglish come to Irelan Ireland d 6 – The Great Hunger 7 – Fighting to be free 8 – Northern Ireland 9 – Dublin and Belfast 10 – Stories, music, and dancing 11 – A country for young people GLOSSARY
1 – I reland’ land’s stor tory
The There are many differ ifferent Irela Irelan nds. One I rel relan and d is is a country country with with be beauti autifful high high mounta ountaiins, ns, big big em empty beaches, long deep rivers. People go there to fish and swim and walk. They
1 – I reland’ land’s stor tory
The There are many differ ifferent Irela Irelan nds. One I rel relan and d is is a country country with with be beauti autifful high high mounta ountaiins, ns, big big em empty beaches, long deep rivers. People go there to fish and swim and walk. They love Irel Irelan and d becau because se it is is so quiet, quiet, and and be because cause the I rish peopl people e are so ni nice and friendly. Another Ireland is a country of stories and music. Most Irish people can sing sing,, and many any fam famous musici usician anss are are Iri Irish. sh. A lot of the most fam famous ous wri writers ters in in the Engl nglish langua language ge are Iri Irish sh too. But But some peopl people e in I rel relan and d speak only or mostly Irish. Now look again at Ireland. It is not only a quiet, beautiful, friendly place; it is also a country of blood, bombs, and death. Between 1968 and 1998 thousands of people in Northern Ireland died. But most Irish people are not not interested interested in in bombs bombs and and guns. guns. What hat is is Irel Irelan and d real reallly li like? Wha Whatt can can you se see there? there? And A nd what what happe happene ned d hundre hundreds ds of years years ago, ago, in Iri Irish sh history history?? Tur Turn the page to begin reading ing Irela Irelan nd’s story.
2 – Around the island
I rel relan and d is is an an isl islan and d lilike a pla plate: it it is is high highe er on the outside than than in the the centre centre.. Beca cau use of this, the the ce cen ntre of I reland reland is is ful fulll of bea beautif tiful lakes kes a an nd rive rivers, rs, and many any peopl people e go go there there to fi fish and and sa saiil I rel relan and’ d’ss la largest rgest la lake is is Lough L ough
2 – Around the island
I rel relan and d is is an an isl islan and d lilike a pla plate: it it is is high highe er on the outside than than in the the centre centre.. Beca cau use of this, the the ce cen ntre of I reland reland is is ful fulll of bea beautif tiful lakes kes a an nd rive rivers, rs, and many any peopl people e go go there there to fi fish and and sa saiil. I rel relan and’ d’ss la largest rgest la lake is is Lough L ough Neagh. Its longest river, the Shannon, is 260 kilometres long. It goes through many any smal smalll lakes and and two la large ones, ones, Lough L ough Ree and and Lough Lough Derg. Most of Ireland’s mountains are near the outside of the plate, near the se sea a. T The hey y are are not not very high high – the high highe est is is C Ca arran rrantouhi touhilll (1,040 metres) in the south-west. But they are beautiful, and good places for walks. At the Cliffs of Mother, in the west, you can look 200 metres straight down into the se sea a. T The he Giant’ ant’ss Ca Causeway, useway, in i n the the nort north, h, is is made ade of strange strange rocks rocks two metres tall with six sides. The There are hundreds of small is islan lands in the sea around Irela Irelan nd. On the A ran I slan slands, ds, in in the west, west, most most peopl people e spea speak Iri I rish sh,, not Engl nglish. Li Life has has changed very little here in a hundred years. Much of the north and west of Ireland is very beautiful. There are hundreds of flowers in the green fields, and there are wonderful beaches and lakes (call (called ‘l ‘lough oughs’ in I rel relan and). d). The T he weath weathe er is is warm warm and and wet, wet, with wi th rain rain and and sun sun ne nearly arly ever every day. But But it it is is hard hard to farm farm here here becau because se of the rocks and mountains. The The centre and east of Ir I relan land are very diffe differrent. The The lan land is good here, here, and and Iri Irish sh milk and mea eatt are are some of the best best in in the the worl world. Fa Farming rming is is one of the most im important jobs in I rel relan and. d. Tho Thousands of of horses live live here too. So Some of the best ho horses in the world world come from Irelan Ireland, d, an and Iri Irish sh pe people sel sell horse orsess to Bri Brita taiin, A merica rica,, A ustral ustraliia, and J apan. pan. Pe People ople go go to watch horse horse race racess in in man many y Iri I rish sh towns, towns, and in Laytown, north of Dublin, there are horse races along the beach every September. All Ireland’s important cities – Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Galways, L imerick, rick, Cork, and Wate Waterford rford – are ne near the se sea a. If I f we look at Irelan Ireland’ d’ss history, we will see why.
3 – Celtic Ir I reland land
The The Irish Irish are a Ce Celt ltic ic pe people. le. Tho Thousands of ye years ago, th the Ce Celt ltss came to I rel relan and d from from weste western rn Fran France ce and and northern northern Spa Spaiin. The They y loved loved sing singiing, ng, and and horses, and stories, and they made beautiful gold and silver jewellery.
3 – Celtic Ir I reland land
The The Irish Irish are a Ce Celt ltic ic pe people. le. Tho Thousands of ye years ago, th the Ce Celt ltss came to I rel relan and d from from weste western rn Fran France ce and and northern northern Spa Spaiin. The They y loved loved sing singiing, ng, and and horses, and stories, and they made beautiful gold and silver jewellery. M any men men wore gold gold ring ri ngss roun round d thei their necks necks and ar arms. A Greek writer, Diodorus Siculus, wrote this about the Celts: The The Ce Celts lts are are… … tall and st stron rong. The They we wear colou lourful rful shirts irts and trousers . Before they fight they hit their long swords on their shields, and shout with loud voices… They are very good fighters. When a Celt kills a man, he cuts off his head and puts it above the door of his house.
Finn Mac Cool was a famous Celtic fighter, There are many stories about Finn and his men, the Fianna. When he has a boy, he cooked a fish on a fire. This fish knew everything about the world. Finn touched the hot fish with his finger, and put his finger in his mouth. Then he knew every verythi thing ng about bout the worl world too. ‘I ‘ I know what what is is going going to happ happen en tomorr tomorrow,’ ow,’ he sa saiid. Another famous Celt was Cúchulainn. Cúchulainn’s father had a brothe brother call called Conor, who was was king king of Ulster, ster, in the the north north of Irelan I reland. d. Conor had a big, dangerous dog which killed many men. Cúchul chulainn liked to pl play a Celtic tic gam game ca callled hurl hurliing. ng. In I n hu hurli rl ing, ng, the players can carry a small hard ball in their hands and also hit it with a stick. One day, day, whe when n Cúchul úchulainn ainn was a boy, Conor Conor cal called everyone everyone into into his his house to eat. But Cúchulainn and his friends wanted to finish their game of hurling, so they stayed outside. Conor’s dog came out of the house, attacked the young boys and tried to kill them. But Cúchulainn hit the hurling ball into the dog’s mouth, and then killed it with his stick. A big fighting dog is called a hound, and so after this, Cúchulainn was called ‘The Hound of Ulster.’ Celtic games, like hurling, are very popular in Ireland today. Irish people people pl play the the Celtic tic ga game ca callled Gae Gaelic footb footba all. In I n Gael Gaelic foot footba balll the
players can use their feet and hands. Celtic stories and music are popular too. The There re are are man many y Celti Celticc rock band bandss – one one of them is cal called Finn M acCool cCool.. And A nd some some peopl people e in in Irel Irelan and d spe speak the Celtic eltic lan langu guag age e call called Irish. Irish is very different from English – for example, the Irish for tree is
players can use their feet and hands. Celtic stories and music are popular too. The There re are are man many y Celti Celticc rock band bandss – one one of them is cal called Finn M acCool cCool.. And A nd some some peopl people e in in Irel Irelan and d spe speak the Celtic eltic lan langu guag age e call called Irish. Irish is very different from English – for example, the Irish for tree is ‘crann’, and the word for woman is ‘bean’. But Celtic people in Wales,
Scotland, western France, and northern Spain have languages very like Irish. A hundred years ago, Irish was nearly a dead language. Most Irish people spoke English, and only the poor people in the west of Ireland spoke Irish. No one taught Irish in schools. Most Irish people speak English today too, but many any chil children learn Iri I rish sh at school, school, and and many any olde olderr peopl people e in Dublin and Belfast learn it too. They can listen to the Irish language radio station, Raidió na Gaeltachta, and watch Irish language television on TG4. The The Irish Irish lan language is popular lar again. in.
4 – St Pa Patri trick, the Church hurch,, and and theV iking kings s
I n 401 401 som some e Iri Irishm shmen came to Br Britain. tain. The They y took many any peopl people e back back to I rel relan and d and and sol sold d them them. One One of these these peopl people e was Patrick, atrick, who was only only sixteen. For six years young Patrick worked with sheep on a farm.
4 – St Pa Patri trick, the Church hurch,, and and theV iking kings s
I n 401 401 som some e Iri Irishm shmen came to Br Britain. tain. The They y took many any peopl people e back back to I rel relan and d and and sol sold d them them. One One of these these peopl people e was Patrick, atrick, who was only only sixteen. For six years young Patrick worked with sheep on a farm. The Then, wh when he was twenty-tw -two, he he ran away to Fra France. He He lea learned about about God from monks at a school in a Fre French mona monaste stery ry.. I n 432 432 he went back back to Irel I relan and d to tea teach the the I rish rish about bout God. God. The The Irish rish king ki ngss lilisten stened to him him, and he he buil built an important churc church h in in Arm Armag agh. h. A hundred years later, Ireland was one of the most important Christian countries in Europe, with beautiful churches and monasteries everywhere. Irish writers wrote famous, important books like the ‘Book of K ell ells’, s’, which which you can can se see in Dubli Dublin toda today, y, and and the there are are pi pictures ctures of St St Patrick trick in in many any Iri Irish sh churche churches. s. Another Irish churchman, called Brendan, sailed to Scotland, I celan celand, d, Gree Greenl nlan and, d, and and Am A merica rica in in a sm smal alll leathe ather boat. Some Some peopl people e sa saiid that this was not possible, but in 1976 an Englishman, Tim Severin, built a leather boat called ‘Brendan’ and sailed it from Ireland to Iceland and A meri erica ca.. Y ou can se see e the ‘ Brenda rendan’ n’ at Crag Cragga gaun unowen owen in Country Cl Clare in in the the west west of I rel relan and. d. The There were many be beautiful, iful, ex expensive ive thing ings in the I rish ish churches and and mona monaste steri rie es, and Norwegi Norwegian an V ikings ki ngs came to Ir Irelan eland d to steal steal them them and and kill the monks. Because of this, the monks built tall round towers beside thei their monaste onasteri rie es. When hen the V iking ki ngss came the the monks ran ran into into the towers to hide hide.. Y ou can se see e the these towers towers in in Iri Irish sh vil village ages today. today. One of the most interes nterestiting ng I rish rish monaste onasteri rie es is on Skell Skelling M ichael chael.. It is an island in the Atlantic, sixteen kilometres south-west of Ireland. It is a beautiful, windy place. The island is 240 metres high, and in bad weather no boats boats can get get there. there. ‘T ‘ There here iiss no dang dange er here,’ here,’ the I rish rish monks monks thought; thought; but but they they were wrong wrong.. I n 1824 1824,, V iking ki ngss cam came in in their their long ships to atta attack ck Skelling Michael too.
But some V iking ki ngss cam came to Irel Irelan and d to sta stay. y. They hey buil built towns by the sea – Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Limerick. The Celts liked to live in the count country, ry, but but the the V iking kingss lliived ved in in town towns. s. Some Some of the the V iking ki ngss ma marri rried Celts, Celts, and learned the Celtic language. The The V ikin iking gs came to the north of Ire Irelan land too. One day two differ ifferent
But some V iking ki ngss cam came to Irel Irelan and d to sta stay. y. They hey buil built towns by the sea – Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Limerick. The Celts liked to live in the count country, ry, but but the the V iking kingss lliived ved in in town towns. s. Some Some of the the V iking ki ngss ma marri rried Celts, Celts, and learned the Celtic language. The The V ikin iking gs came to the north of Ire Irelan land too. One day two differ ifferent V iking ki ng shi ships ca cam me to a bea beautif utiful pla place in Ulste Ulster. r. Both Both groups groups of Vi V iking kingss wanted to stay there and build a town, but there were too many of them. The The two groups of V ikin iking gs loo looked at each other angrily. ily. ‘We must fight,’ ght,’ sa saiid a V iking king from the the first ship. ship. ‘T ‘The winn winne ers wil will live and keep the land, and the losers will die.’ ‘No,’ sa saiid a man from the se secon cond d shi ship. ‘I ‘ I have have a bette betterr ide idea a. Le L et’s t’s race to the beach in our ships. The first man who holds the land in his hand can keep it. His people can stay, and the others must leave.’ So the two ships raced towards the beach. One man stood at the front of each ship, ready to jump down to the beach. Then one ship went in front of the other. The man in the first ship looked back at the second ship, and laughed. ‘We’re going to win,’ he said. ‘This land will belong to us.’ ‘No, it it won’ won’t,’ sa saiid the the man in the the se secon cond d shi ship angri ngrilly. ‘Y ‘ Y ou wil wi ll never never win. win. Neve Neverr!’ Sudden Suddenlly, he took out out his his sword, sword, and and cut cut off off his his han hand d with it. Then he threw the hand over the heads of the men in the first ship. The The hand fell fell on the beach, and its its bloo loody fing fingers clos losed on the lan land. ‘This is our land,’ said the man with one hand. ‘It will never belong to you. Never, never, never!’ Tha That is the story of of the Re Red d Ha Hand of of Ulst Ulster. Y ou can see the Re Red d Hand on the flags of Northern Ireland. To learn why it is so important, we nee need to le learn a lilittle ttle more abou aboutt Iri I rish sh hi history.
5 – T he E ngl nglish com come to Ir I reland and
A thousands thousands years years ago, Irel I relan and d had had many kings kings and they often often fought each each other. other. In I n 115 1152 2 one one Irish rish king ki ng,, De Dermot Ma MacMurrough cM urrough,, attacked attacked anothe anotherr Iri I rish sh king, Tiernan O’Rourke, and took his wife. Tiernan O’Rourke was the
5 – T he E ngl nglish com come to Ir I reland and
A thousands thousands years years ago, Irel I relan and d had had many kings kings and they often often fought each each other. other. In I n 115 1152 2 one one Irish rish king ki ng,, De Dermot Ma MacMurrough cM urrough,, attacked attacked anothe anotherr Iri I rish sh king, Tiernan O’Rourke, and took his wife. Tiernan O’Rourke was the friend of a third king, Rory O’Connor. In 1166 Rory O’Connor was made king of all Ireland. At this time, Tiernan and Rory attacked Dermot M acMurro cM urrough ugh,, but De Dermot rmot escap escape ed to Englan England. d. Dermot then asked the king of England, Henry the Second, to help him him to fi fight ght Rory Rory and and Ti Tiernan. rnan. So in i n 1169 1169 Henry’ Henry’ss men came to Irel Irelan and d and fought Rory and Tiernan, but they did not go home again. They took more and more of the land for themselves. They built cities by the sea, and big big castles castles.. He Henry cal called him himse sellf K ing of Engl ngland an and Irelan Ireland. d. Bu But not at all the I rish rish were were ha happy abou aboutt this. this. For the next next four four hun hundre dred d yea years, Eng Engllish king kingss trie tried to rule rule I rel relan and d from Dubli blin. But But it was was ve very dif difficul cult. Th The I rish rish did did not not list liste en to the the K ing of England – he was too far away. I n 153 1536 6 the Engl nglish church church chang change ed from from Cathol tholiic to Prote Protesta stant nt.. So Engl ngland and was was a Protesta rotestant nt countr country, y, but I rel relan and d was stil still Catholi tholic. For For the Protestant English, their king was the most important man in the Church, but for for the Catholi Catholic Iri I rish, sh, the most im important portant man man was the the Pope – the leader der of the Catholic Church – in Rome. There was a lot of fighting in Ireland about this, and usually the English won. The kings of England took more land from the Catholic Irish, and gave it to Protestant Englishmen and Scotsmen. This plan was called the Plantation of Ulster, because much of the the land and was in Ulster, ster, in i n the north of Irel I relan and. d. Eng Engllishmen from L ondon ondon built a new town in a place called Derry, and called it Londonderry. The The Ca Cattholic Irish Irish were angry about this and wanted their lan land back. I n 164 1641 1 the the Cathol Catholiics a atta ttacked cked the Prote Protesta stant ntss in in Ul Ulster. ster. They hey took their their houses and clothes and killed thousands of people. Eight years later, in 1649, Oliver Cromwell took an English army to I rel relan and. d. Crom Cromwel welll was was the the leader der of the Engl nglish after the the dea death of K ing
Charles the First. The English soldiers killed thousands of Catholics in a town called Drogheda. I n 1685 1685 the peopl people e of England and and Scotl Scotland and got got a new new ki king – J ames the Second. Second. He was was a Catholi tholic, and and he was not not very popular. popular. Man M any y peopl people e wanted a different king, and in 1688 William of Orange, a Dutch
Charles the First. The English soldiers killed thousands of Catholics in a town called Drogheda. I n 1685 1685 the peopl people e of England and and Scotl Scotland and got got a new new ki king – J ames the Second. Second. He was was a Catholi tholic, and and he was not not very popular. popular. Man M any y peopl people e wanted a different king, and in 1688 William of Orange, a Dutch Protestant, rotestant, came to Engl Englan and. d. He He was marrie ried to Jam J ames’s s’s daugh daughte terr Ma M ary, ry, and and he wante wanted d to be king ki ng of Englan ngland, d, Scotl Scotla and, nd, and Irel Irelan and. d. I n those those three countrie countries peopl people e who wante wanted d Jam J ames to be king ki ng fough foughtt agai gainst nst peopl people e who wante wanted d William to be be king ki ng.. Most M ost of J ames’s s’s fri friends ends were Catholi tholics in in I rel relan and. d. Wi With hi his help, help, they they trie tried to to ge get thei their lan land d ba back again. They got most of it, but they could not get Londonderry. When they attacked it, the Protestants ran inside the city walls and closed the gates. For 105 days, the Catholic soldiers tried to get inside and kill them. The Protestants were cold and afraid and hungry. They ate cats and dogs and horses, but they did not open the gates. 15,000 people died during this time, which was called the Siege of Derry. At la last, three Protestant rotestant shi ships came to Londond L ondonderry erry wi with food food and and soldi sol diers, ers, and and she she sieg siege e was over. Af A fter ter that that the new new Protesta Protestant nt Engl Engliish K ing, ng, Wi William of Orange range,, won two very very im i mportant portant battl battle es ag again ainst the the Cathol tholiics: the Battle ttle of the Boyne in 1690, 1690, and and the Battle ttle of A ughri ughrim m in 1691. The Catholic Irish didn’t fight a big battle again for 100 years. So for the next hundred years life was very difficult for the Catholic I rish rish.. Ke K eeping ping the their la land or going going to Catholi Catholicc schools schools or Ca Catholic tholic churche churchess was very difficult and they could not speak or vote in Parliament. All the important portant pe people ople in in Irel I relan and d were Prote Protesta stant nts, s, and and all all the big, big, beau beautitifful houses and the best farms belonged to Protestants. I n most countri countrie es, peopl people e rea read abou aboutt history history in i n books; books; in Irel Irelan and, d, history history is is al alive toda today. y. Eve E very ry yea year, Protesta rotestant ntss in in Lond Londond onderry erry ma march to remem remember ber 1688. 1688. In I n Bel Belffas ast, t, on 12 J uly, uly, Protesta Protestant nt Orangem Orangemen march with with music and and son song gs abou aboutt Ki K ing William of Ora Orang nge e – often ca callled ‘K ‘K ing Billy’ – and the Battle of the Boyne. Every year, Catholics are angry about these marches.
6 – T he Gr eat Hung Hunge er
I n 179 1795 5 and and 1798 1798 the the I rish, rish, with with the the hel help p of French rench shi ships and and sol soldi die ers, fought the British. But the British won, and many Irishmen – mostly Catholics – were killed. Three years later, in 1801, the Act of Union made
6 – T he Gr eat Hung Hunge er
I n 179 1795 5 and and 1798 1798 the the I rish, rish, with with the the hel help p of French rench shi ships and and sol soldi die ers, fought the British. But the British won, and many Irishmen – mostly Catholics – were killed. Three years later, in 1801, the Act of Union made Ireland and Britain one country, with one Parliament, in London. For a hundred years after this, Catholic Irishmen (called Nationalists) wanted to chang change e the Act of Union, nion, and and Prote Protesta stant ntss (call (called Uni Unioni onists) sts) wante wanted d to keep keep it. it. At this tim time, in i n the the west west of Irelan I reland, d, ma many poor poor Ca Cathol tholiics lilived ved on very small farms. They had very little money, and often they had only potatoe potatoess to ea eat. The poor, stony lan land d was not good for many any things things,, but it it was good for potatoes. But in the 1840s something killed the potatoes. One day they were fine, and then suddenly they were black and dead. The poor I rish ri sh farmers farmers and and their their fam families had had nothing nothing to ea eat. Thou T housan sands ds of themdied died,, and and man many y more more went on shi ships ps to Am A merica, ri ca, to fi find a new new and be better li life. Some rich Protestants were happy when the poor farmers started to leave. They wanted to keep cows on their land, so they asked the ships to take the poor peopl people e away fro from mIrel relan and d to Am Ameri erica. ca. But But hund hundreds reds of peopl people e died on the ships too. When the the I rish rish people people cam came to to Am A merica rica,, they they lilived ved in in bi big citie cities, li like New York. Y ork. Every very year year on St Patrick’ Patrick’ss Day thous thousan ands ds of A merican ricanss march rch through New Y ork, ork, and remem remember ber how Iri I rish sh peo peopl ple e died died,, becau because se there there was no food. It is the biggest St Patrick’s Day in the world, because so many Irish people live in America. When hen the these poor Iri I rish sh peopl people e died, died, the the Iri Irish sh lan langu guag age e ne nearly arly died died with them. Most Catholic churchmen spoke English, and the government told Irish teachers to use English in school. Only poor people spoke Irish. ‘Irish rish is is not im important,’ the tea teachers chers and and churchmen churchmen sa saiid. The They y thought thought that that speaking English was more modern. But some some peopl people e though thoughtt that this this was wrong wrong.. I n 1893 1893 a gro group up of I rish rish write writers rs trie tried to he help the the Iri Irish sh la langu nguage. ‘Irish rish is the langua nguag ge of the
I rish ri sh peopl people,’ e,’ they they sai said. ‘M ‘M any countr countriies have have a langu anguag age, e, gam games es,, musi music, c, and stories that belong to them. We must have those things too.’ A lot of people agreed with them. These people called themselves Sinn Fein, which is Irish for ‘We Ourselves.’ At first, the people in Sinn Fein ein were were onl only inte intereste rested d in in I rish language language,, musi music, c, and gam games. But But late later, r,
I rish ri sh peopl people,’ e,’ they they sai said. ‘M ‘M any countr countriies have have a langu anguag age, e, gam games es,, musi music, c, and stories that belong to them. We must have those things too.’ A lot of people agreed with them. These people called themselves Sinn Fein, which is Irish for ‘We Ourselves.’ At first, the people in Sinn Fein ein were were onl only inte intereste rested d in in I rish language language,, musi music, c, and gam games. But But late later, r, they began to think about other things too. ‘We don’t want to belong to Britain,’ they said. ‘We want Ireland to be a free country.’
7 – Fighting to be be free
By 1900, life was a little better for Catholics in Ireland. They could have land, they could vote and speak in Parliament, they had Catholic schools and and churches. churches. But But most most Ca Catholi tholics were very very poor, and and every every ye year,
7 – Fighting to be be free
By 1900, life was a little better for Catholics in Ireland. They could have land, they could vote and speak in Parliament, they had Catholic schools and and churches. churches. But But most most Ca Catholi tholics were very very poor, and and every every ye year, thousa thousand ndss of themwent went to Am America rica or Bri Britai tain n to to look look for for work. work. Catholic Irish Nationalists wanted to end the Act of Union. They wante wanted d an an Iri Irish sh Parl Parliiament ent to deci decide de about bout thing thingss in in Irel Irelan and. d. But But the the Protestants did no want to give it to them – and, not for the first time, they were ready to fight for the things that they wanted. I n 1914 1914,, the Briti ritish sh gove governm rnmen entt deci decide ded d to gi give Irel relan and d an an Iri Irish sh Parliament. ‘Ireland will still belong to Britain,’ they said. ‘But the Irish Parliament will decide on Irish things, like Irish schools, roads, and police.’ Most Irish Nationalists were happy about this, but the Protestant Unionists were angry. Most Protesta Protestan nts lilived ved in in Northern Northern Irelan I reland d ne near Belfast. This This part part or I rel relan and d is is cal called Ulster. ster. Soon the the Prote Protesta stant nt Uni Unioni onist st arm army y began began marching rching through the streets of Belfast with their leader, Sir Edward Carson. They wanted to keep the Act of Union. ‘Ulster will fight,’ they said, ‘and Ulster will be right!’ The The Brit Britis ish h government did did not kn know wh what to to do do. The They wa wanted to to give give I rel relan and d a Parli Parliament, ent, but they they did did no no want want to fi fight ght the Unioni nionists. sts. But But then, in 1917, the First World War started. Most of the Protestant Unionists, and many thousands of Irish Catholics, went with the British army to fight against Germany. But ma many Iri Irish sh Nati Nation ona alists staye stayed d in in Ire Irelland. ‘W ‘We don don’’t want want to fight the Germans,’ they said. ‘We want the British to leave Ireland. Perhaps the Germans can help us.’ I n 1916 1916,, a group group of I rish rish Nation tiona alists – mostl ostly Ca Cathol tholiics – deci decide ded d to fight for a free Ireland. They were interested in Irish music, Irish history, the Irish ri sh lan langu guag age, e, and and Iri Irish sh gam games es.. But now they they bought bought guns guns in in German Germany y and trie tried to bring bring them them to Irel I relan and d in in a German German ship. ship. The T heiir le leader, der, Patrick trick
Pearse, wanted wanted much much more more than than an an Iri Irish sh Parli Parl iament. ent. He wanted wanted Irel Irelan and d to be free from Britain. On Ea Easter ster M onday onday 1916, 1916, Pearse and and his his men men went went into i nto the Post Office, in the middle of Dublin. Pearse walked to the door. ‘Irishmen and I rish rishwom wome en,’ he sa saiild, ‘I ‘Ireland reland bel belongs ongs to the the Irish rish people! people! Toda oday Irelan Ireland d
Pearse, wanted wanted much much more more than than an an Iri Irish sh Parli Parl iament. ent. He wanted wanted Irel Irelan and d to be free from Britain. On Ea Easter ster M onday onday 1916, 1916, Pearse and and his his men men went went into i nto the Post Office, in the middle of Dublin. Pearse walked to the door. ‘Irishmen and I rish rishwom wome en,’ he sa saiild, ‘I ‘Ireland reland bel belongs ongs to the the Irish rish people! people! Toda oday Irelan Ireland d is a free country!’ But the British did not agree. For six long days there was a battle in Dubli ublin, and man many y men men die died. Af A fter ter the battl battle, e, the governm governmen entt said that that Pea earse rse and and four fourtee teen n other other importan portantt men men had had to die, die, and and they died died in prison. Nearly two thousand other Sinn Fein men went to prison. Easter ster Mond M onday ay 191 1916 6 was was a very very important portant da day in in I rish rish hi history. A fter ter tha that day, day, everythi everything ng was dif different. rent. In I n hi his poe poem m ‘Easter ster 1916’ 1916’ the the I rish rish write writerr Wi William Butle tler Y eats wrote wrote: All changed, changed utterly, A terrible beauty is born.
In 1919, Sinn Fein started to fight the British again. The Sinn Fein army was called the Irish Republican Army, or IRA. From 1919 to 1921 the IRA killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and the police and soldie soldiers kil killed hun hundre dreds ds or IR IRA men too. too. In I n Dubli blin, there there were were I RA men and women everywhere, but it was very hard for the British soldiers to find them them. The I RA leader der was M ichae chael Coll ollins, but but the the Briti Bri tish sh gove governm rnme ent didn’t even have a photo of him! I n 192 1921 1 the Briti ritish sh governm government ent deci decide ded d to tal talk to Sinn Si nn Fein Fein and and the IRA, and in that year, for the first time in history, most of Ireland had an Irish government, with an Irish President in Dublin. But the Irish Republic is only three-quarters of Ireland. One quarter, in Northern Northern Irelan I reland, d, staye stayed d Bri British tish.. A nd here here,, fi fifty yea years la later, ter, the the troubl trouble between Protestants and Catholics started again.
8 – Nor Nor ther n Ir I reland land
I n 1921, 1921, about about 60 per per cent of the peopl people e of Northe orthern rn Irel I relan and d were were Protestant, and about 40 per cent were Catholic. Today the numbers are about about 53 per per cen centt and and 40 per per cen cent. t. M ost of the Protestan Protestants ts want to be
8 – Nor Nor ther n Ir I reland land
I n 1921, 1921, about about 60 per per cent of the peopl people e of Northe orthern rn Irel I relan and d were were Protestant, and about 40 per cent were Catholic. Today the numbers are about about 53 per per cen centt and and 40 per per cen cent. t. M ost of the Protestan Protestants ts want to be British, and most of the Catholics want to be Irish. Hundreds of people have died because of this. From 1921 1921 to 1971 1971 Nort Northe herrn Irel Irelan and d had had a Parli Parliament ent at Storm Stormont. The There we were alw alwa ays more Pro Protestants than Cat Catholics lics, so the Pro Protestants could do want they wanted. Protestants had most of the best jobs and the best best house houses. s. Most M ost of the poli police were were Prote Protesta stant nt too, and and they they were af afraid raid of the IRA. At the same time, many Catholics were afraid of the police. Sometimes the IRA tried to kill the police, and the police hit back at the Catholics. It was a circle without an end. I n 196 1968 8 Catholi Catholics starte started d to ask ask for for a bette betterr li l ife. They hey march marched ed through the streets of Belfast and Derry, asking for better jobs and houses. But the Prote Protestan stantt poli police and and Orang Orangem emen atta attacked cked the Catholi Catholic marche rchers. rs. M any ma marche rchers rs were were badl badly y hurt, and al all of them themwere angry angry and afrai afraid. d. I n 1969 1969 Briti ri tish sh sol soldi die ers came to Northe Northern rn Irel I relan and d to try to stop stop the fighting, and at first many Catholics were happy to see them. But then the IRA started to kill soldiers and policemen, and so the British soldiers and police tried to find the IRA and put them in prison. Sometimes they put the wrong people in prison, and so the Catholics didn’t like the British soldiers. Over the next thirty years, many terrible things happened. On ‘Bloo oody dy Sun Sunday’ day’ – 13 Ja J anuary 1972 1972 – Briti ritish sh so solldiers kil killed 14 14 Cathol tholiic marchers archers in i n Derry. ‘The marchers rchers had had guns,’ guns,’ the the sol soldi die ers said. But nobody nobody foun ound any any gun guns. On ‘B ‘Bloo oody dy Fri Friday’ – 21 J uly 197 1972 – the the I RA put put 22 bombs in Belfast, all at the same time, 9 people died and 130 people were hurt, Protestant and Catholic, British and Irish. Some of them lost arms and legs. The The IRA I RA put bombs in pubs and streets and shops. The They kille illed d soldiers and policemen, but they also killed thousands of ordinary people.
Protestants in the Ulster Defence Association – the UDA – killed thousands of ordinary Catholics too. These Protestant fighters are called Loyalists. By 1979 there were hundreds of IRA and UDA men in prison. At first they were political prisoners, like soldiers in prison during a war. They could wear a ordinary clothes, and they did not do prison work. Then
Protestants in the Ulster Defence Association – the UDA – killed thousands of ordinary Catholics too. These Protestant fighters are called Loyalists. By 1979 there were hundreds of IRA and UDA men in prison. At first they were political prisoners, like soldiers in prison during a war. They could wear a ordinary clothes, and they did not do prison work. Then M argaret rgaret Tha Thatche tcher, r, the Briti ri tish sh Prim ri me M iniste nister, r, decide decided d that that this this must must stops. stops. ‘These hese men are are cri criminal nals,’ she she sai sail, ‘so they they must be the same as as other other prisoners.’ Because of this some prisoners decided in 1980 to stop eating. They drank drank wate waterr but the they y did did not eat. eat. Day afte afterr day, day, they they got thinne thinnerr and thinne thinner. r. A fter 66 days, days, the first man man,, Bobby Bobby Sands, Sands, die died. The T hen n anothe anotherr man man died died,, and and another. another. Ten men died died in in prison, prison, because because they they wanted wanted to be political prisoners. Most British people thought Mrs Thatcher was right, but a lot of Irish Catholics didn’t agree. More and more of them started to vote for Sinn Fein. I n many pa parts of North Northe ern Irelan I reland d the there are are Nation tiona alist of Loya L oyallist pai painting ntingss on the wall walls of house houses. s. The The L oyali oyalists usua usuallly show show the Red Hand of Ul U lster, ster, or Ki K ing Williams of Oran Orang ge and the the Battle ttle of the Boyne oyne. The T he Nationalists show Celtic pictures, and pictures of Bobby Sands. Both of them often show men with guns. I n 199 1998, 8, the Briti ri tish sh and and I rish rish gove governm rnmen entt me met with with Sinn Sinn Fein ein and and the Ulster ster Unioni U nionists sts.. Th T hey wante wanted d to en end the fighti ghting ng in North Northe ern Irelan I reland. d. Tog To gether, they made the Good Frid Frida ay Agr Agreement. This This Agr Agreement said that Catholics and Protestants must work together in the government of Northern Ireland. Tod To day, Ca Cattholics lics and Protestants still do not agree about many thing ings in Northern Ireland. But after thirty years of fighting, people are starting to talk talk to to each each other. A nd most people people are are happy happy about about tha that. t.
9 – Dublin Dubli n and and Bel Belfast fast
blin is the mos ostt im important portant city city in in the the Republ publiic of I reland. reland. Its I ts Dublin: Dubli population (the number of people who live there) is 496,000. The River L iffey goe goess through through the centre centre of Dub Dubllin. Som Some e peopl people e sa say y that that Irel I relan and’ d’ss
9 – Dublin Dubli n and and Bel Belfast fast
blin is the mos ostt im important portant city city in in the the Republ publiic of I reland. reland. Its I ts Dublin: Dubli population (the number of people who live there) is 496,000. The River L iffey goe goess through through the centre centre of Dub Dubllin. Som Some e peopl people e sa say y that that Irel I relan and’ d’ss famous ous black bee beer, Guinn uinne ess ss,, is wate waterr from the the River ver Li L iffey, but but it it is is not not true. true. But But you can walk walk besi beside de the River Li Liffey, and and drink drink Guinn Gui nne ess iin n a pub pub when you are thirsty. One of the most beautiful buildings beside the river is the Custom House. There is a nice walk along the river from the Custom House to the O’Connell Bridge. North of the bridge is O’Connell Street. Here you can see the Post Office, famous for Easter Monday 1916. Not far from here is St Mary’s, Dublin’s biggest Catholic Church. South of O’Connell Bridge is Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest and most famous famous uni university. versity. In I n he here you can se see e I reland’ reland’s ol oldest dest books, books, like the the ‘ Book of Ke K ells’, s’, which which is a thousa thousan nd yea years old. old. Th The bea beautif tiful Bank of Ireland is opposite Trinity College, Ireland’s first Parliament was in this building. Near Trinity College you can see the famous statue of Molly Malone. People say that she was a poor but beautiful girl, who sold fish called cockl cockles es and and mussel musselss on the stree streets ts to make make money. But B ut sadl sadly, y, she died died when she was still young. There is a famous Irish song about Molly: I n Dub Dublin’s in’s fair city Where the girls are so pretty I first se set my eyes on on swe sweet Mol Mollly Mal Malone one As she wheeled her wheelbarrow Down streets broad and narrow Singing ‘Cockles, and mussels, alive alive-oh!
Some Some of I rel relan and’ d’ss best best town hous house es are are in in Me Merri rrion Squa Square. Ma M any of Ireland’s most famous writers, soldiers, and leaders lived here. They walked and talked in the small park in the square, or in St Stephen’s Green,
not far away. away. Between tween M errion errion Square Square and and St Steph Stephen en’’s Gre Green is L eins einste terr House, ouse, the home home of I rel relan and’ d’ss Parli Parliament ent today. today. Dublin also has Phoenix Park, one of the largest parks in Europe, I reland’ reland’ss Presi Presiden dent lilives ves he here re,, in a house ouse ca callled, in in Iri Irish sh,, Àra À rass an an Uachta chtarái ráin n. Not Not fa far away away from from the the Phoe hoenix nix Pa Park is the the old Ki K ilmainham nham
not far away. away. Between tween M errion errion Square Square and and St Steph Stephen en’’s Gre Green is L eins einste terr House, ouse, the home home of I rel relan and’ d’ss Parli Parliament ent today. today. Dublin also has Phoenix Park, one of the largest parks in Europe, I reland’ reland’ss Presi Presiden dent lilives ves he here re,, in a house ouse ca callled, in in Iri Irish sh,, Àra À rass an an Uachta chtarái ráin n. Not Not fa far away away from from the the Phoe hoenix nix Pa Park is the the old Ki K ilmainham nham Prison. rison. He Here visi visitors tors can se see e how how some some of I rel relan and’ d’ss most most fam famous men and and women lived in prison. Dubl ublin is is a city city of thea theatres, tres, musi usic and and fi fine shops shops too. And A nd there there are are dozens dozens of pubs, big big and and sm smal alll. Ma M any peopl people e lilike to go go to the pub to drink drink beer, talk, and tell stories. For example, there is a story about a visitor and an I rish rish farm farme er in i n the the country. ‘Excuse me, ca can you tel tell me the way to Dublin, please?’ the visitor asks. The farmer thinks for a long time. Then he sa says: ys: ‘N ‘No, I’ I ’ msorry. If I f you want want to go go to Dubl Dublin, this this is is the the wrong place to start.’ Belfast: Belfast (population 276,000) is the biggest city in Northern
I rel relan and, d, famous for for the shi ships, aeropl aeroplan ane es, and clothe clothess that were mad made e here. here. The The ‘Tita ‘Titanic’ ic’ wa was built here in the Ha Harrlan land and Wo Wolff lff shipy ipyard. In 1912 the ‘Titanic’ was the biggest, fastest, most expensive ship in the world. ‘This ship can never sink,’ people said. But when the ‘Titanic’ went to sea for the first time, it sank, and about 1,500 people died. Many of them were poor I rish rish peopl people e who want wante ed to sta start rt a ne new li life in in Am America rica.. Now Now this this part part of the city is called the Titanic Quarter, and it has new shops, offices, bars, cafés, and hotels. But you can still see the big Harland and Wolff cranes, called Samson and Goliath, from all over Belfast. At Vi V ictoria ctoria Square, Square, in in the the centre centre of Belf elfast, there there are are ne new shops, shops, resta res tauran urants, ts, and and cine cinem mas. And A nd there there are are fi fine ol old d bui building dingss to see see – City Hall, the Custom House with its wonderful statues, the Ulster Bank, and McHugh’s Bar – the oldest building in Belfast. Once it was a house by the Belfast River, and today it is a modern bar.
10 Four I r ish ci cities ties
is the the se secon cond d la largest rgest city city in in the the Repu Republi blic of Ireland. reland. In I n 182 1820 0 Cork: Cork is the V ikings ki ngs atta attacked cked a Christi hristian an monaste onasterry here, here, and and then then stayed stayed to buil build a town by the the River Le Lee. Cork Cork is is in in the southsouth-wes westt of Irel I relan and d and and it has has a
10 Four I r ish ci cities ties
is the the se secon cond d la largest rgest city city in in the the Repu Republi blic of Ireland. reland. In I n 182 1820 0 Cork: Cork is the V ikings ki ngs atta attacked cked a Christi hristian an monaste onasterry here, here, and and then then stayed stayed to buil build a town by the the River Le Lee. Cork Cork is is in in the southsouth-wes westt of Irel I relan and d and and it has has a wonde wonderf rful ul harbour rbour for for ships. Ma M any poor poor Iri I rish sh people people sa sailed from from Cork to A meri erica ca at at the the tim ti me of the Grea reatt Hung Hunge er, and today today ships ships and and plan plane es go from Cork all over the world. 123,000 people live here today, and the city of Cork is famous for music, danci dancing ng,, thea theatre, and and fi film. M any any vi visitors sitors come come he here too, on thei theirr way to the beau beautitifful southsouth-west west of I rel relan and. d. In I n 200 2005 5 Cork Cork was the the Europ Europe ean Capital of Culture. L ondond ndonde er ry, or Derry: Derry, with a population of 105,000, is the
secon se cond d city city of Northern orthern Irel Irelan and. d. Prote Protesta stants nts ca calll it Lond L ondonde onderr rry, y, becau because se in 1600 English Protestants from London built a city here, but Catholics call the city Derry. There was a small monastery here, beside the River Foyle, in the the tim time of the the Vi Viking kings, s, but but the the gre grea at wal walls of L ondon ondonde derr rry y were were bui buillt in in the 1600s. 1600s. Y ou can wal walk around these these wall walls today: they are one and and a hal half f kilometres long and nearly six metres wide. The old guns from the Siege of Derry are still there on the walls. But man many y peopl people e want want to forget forget the battl battles es of the past. past. In I n the last week of October, thousands of people come to Derry for the Halloween festival. There is music, theatre, and a big parade, in the biggest street party in Ireland. Galway: Galway Galway (popul (population tion 65,800) 65,800) is is in in the the west west of I rel relan and, d, at the the mouth
of the the River ver Corri Corrib. b. In I n thi this pa part of the the count country ry the I rish rish langu langua age is very very strong, strong, and and you wil will se see e it and and hear hear it it everywhe everywhere. re. It I t is is a centre centre for Iri I rish sh music, usic, singi singing ng and and dance dance,, and and there there iiss an I rish rish lan langua guage ge thea theatre in in Galway Galway too.
From Galway you can visit Connemara, with is beautiful wild lakes and and mounta mountaiins. The The Aran Isl Islan ands ds are close close by too. Pe People ople spea speak Iri I rish sh he here, and many visitors like to come to these wild, lonely islands to hear Irish music in the pubs and see the difficult life of the islanders.
From Galway you can visit Connemara, with is beautiful wild lakes and and mounta mountaiins. The The Aran Isl Islan ands ds are close close by too. Pe People ople spea speak Iri I rish sh he here, and many visitors like to come to these wild, lonely islands to hear Irish music in the pubs and see the difficult life of the islanders. Waterford: Waterford (population 45,000) is in the south-east of Ireland.
I t was was Irel Irelan and’ d’ss fi first city; city; the V iking ki ngss cam came here here in the the 850 850s, s, and and they they cam came back back in i n 914 914 to make the city. city. I t is is fam famous for for is is gla glass (peopl (people e have have made glass here since 1783) and for the ships that were built here. Three rivers meet the sea at Waterford – the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir – and there are fine mountai ountains and and be beaches ches to visi visitt in in thi this part part of I rel relan and. d.
11 Stories, music and dancing
I rish rish pe people ople love love stori storie es, and and man many y great great wri writers ters were born born in in Irel Irelan and. d. Jo J onathan Swift (1667-17 -1745) was a churchman in Dub Dublin. lin. In his book ‘Gull Gulliver’ ver’ss Travel ravels’ a man ca callled Gull ulliver visits visits many strang strange e count countri rie es. In In
11 Stories, music and dancing
I rish rish pe people ople love love stori storie es, and and man many y great great wri writers ters were born born in in Irel Irelan and. d. Jo J onathan Swift (1667-17 -1745) was a churchman in Dub Dublin. lin. In his book ‘Gull Gulliver’ ver’ss Travel ravels’ a man ca callled Gull ulliver visits visits many strang strange e count countri rie es. In In L illiput al all the peopl people e are are abou aboutt ten centi centim metres hi high and and in in the the country country of the Houyhnhnms horses are cleverer than people. But when Gulliver comes home, nobody believes his stories. Ja J ames J oyce (18 (1882-19 -1941) wrote all all his st stories ies ab about Dub Dublin. lin. His most famous book, ‘Ulysses’, is 700 pages long. It is the story of everything that one man, Leopold Bloom, does in Dublin in one day – 16 Ju J une 1904. And And every year on 16 J une – ‘Bloo ‘Bloomsday’ – people visit isit Dub Dublin to talk about ‘Ulysses’ and to visit the places in the story. Jo J oyce’s fr frien iend, Sa Samuel Bec Beckett (1 (1906-89 -89) wo won the No Nob bel Prize ize for for his work in the theatre. His most famous work, ‘Waiting for Godot’ is about about two poor Iri Irish sh men who are are waiti waiting ng for a man call called Godot. Pe Perhaps Godot is a man, perhaps he is God – they don’t know. But he never comes. Jo J oyce and Bec Beckett were born in Irela Irelan nd, bu but they went to work an and live in France. They had new and exciting ideas, and some people in Ireland did not like them. To the Irish government and the Catholic Church, books like ‘Ulysses’ were wrong, and after 1929 Irish people could not buy books books lilike the these in the the shops shops.. L ife was was dif difficult cult in in othe other ways too too – many peopl people e ha had la large fami families and and li little ttle mone money. y. I rel relan and d was was a poor poor country, and and it was difficult to find work. Every year, many young people left Ireland to look for work in other countries. Because of these things some singers too were very angry about life in I rel relan and. d. Bob Bob Gel Geldof was born in I rel relan and d in in 1951 1951.. Hi His mothe other die died when he was seven, and his father was often away from home, so young Bob was often often alone alone.. He He sa saw w man many y poor peopl people e in in Dubli Dublin, and and his his ban band, d, the ‘Boomtown oomtown Ra Rats’, ts’, sang sang loud loud,, angry angry songs. songs. In I n thei their song ‘Banan anana a Republ publiic’ they sai said Irel Ireland and was a poor county county wi with a bad bad government, government, and too many many police and churchmen:
E verywher here I go now And eve everywhere ywhere I see see The The blac lack and blue lue uniform iforms Police and priests
E verywher here I go now And eve everywhere ywhere I see see The The blac lack and blue lue uniform iforms Police and priests
Bob Geldof wanted to change the world, and in 1985 he planned some some concerts cal called Ban Band d Ai Aid and and L ive Ai Aid. He He used used the the money oney from from the conce concerts rts to help help hungry hungry peopl people e in Af Africa rica.. In I n 2005 2005 he he did did thi this aga agaiin, with with a conce concert rt cal called Li Live 8. With Wi th anothe other Iri I rish sh musici sicia an ca callled Bono, Bob Bob Geldof Geldof asked as ked the preside presidents nts of many any countrie countries to gi give hel help p to Af Africa. Bono is from an Irish group called U2. Some people say that U2 are the the bi bigge ggest rock band band in the the world. worl d. Li L ike Bob Bob Geldof, Geldof, the band band do a lot of work to help the poor people of the world. Two other famous Irish pop groups are the boy bands ‘Boyzone’ and ‘Westlife’. There are famous women singers too, like Sinead O’Connor, Enya, and Aoife Ní Fhearraigh. The There are many fam famous sin sing gers an and wr write iters fr from No Norrthern Irela Irelan nd too. Seam Seamus Hea Heane ney y wa was born in in 1939 1939 on a farm ne near Derry Derry.. I n 1995 1995 he won the Nobel Prize for his poems, and people read them all over the world. The famous singer Van Morrison grew up in Belfast in the 1950s. Most peop peoplle in in Irelan Ireland d love love musi usic. Pe People sing sing in pub pubss in in eve every ry Iri I rish sh town, and Irish songs are very popular on television in other countries. I rel relan and d ha has won the the Eurovi Eurovision sion Song Contest Contest for for the best best pop song in Europe seven times; this is more than any other country. The The Irish Irish word for for party is céili – a time for people to play music, tell stories, and dance. For hundred of years, the Irish people have loved danci dancing ng and and ceil ceilis. In I n the the 1700 1700s, s, danci dancing ng tea teachers chers went from from town to town. People lived in small houses, so they often danced on the country roads. The They wo wore their be best clo clotthes to to da dance, an and pla play yed mu music all all day an and all all night. I n many any Iri I rish sh dance dances, s, the dance dancers rs keep keep thei theirr hands hands stil still by thei their si side des, s, and move thei their fe feet and and legs egs very qui quickly. ckl y. Today oday thousa thousand ndss of I rish rish chil children dren le learn Iri I rish sh dan danci cing ng,, and and the the best best dance dancers rs from from all all over over the world worl d
come come to dan dance ce in in Irel relan and d too. too. The The I rish rish dance dancers rs Mi M ichael chael Flatley tley and and Je J ean Butler are famous in many countries – thousands of people have seen them in Riverdance and L ord of the Dance. Dance.
come come to dan dance ce in in Irel relan and d too. too. The The I rish rish dance dancers rs Mi M ichael chael Flatley tley and and Je J ean Butler are famous in many countries – thousands of people have seen them in Riverdance and L ord of the Dance. Dance.
12 A countr country y for for young young pe peopl ople
Tod To day, many thing ings ar are ch changing ing in Irela Irelan nd. It is a country of young people: nearly 50 per cent of its people are under twenty-five. Fifty years ago, the Catholic church was full of old men, and they decided what people
12 A countr country y for for young young pe peopl ople
Tod To day, many thing ings ar are ch changing ing in Irela Irelan nd. It is a country of young people: nearly 50 per cent of its people are under twenty-five. Fifty years ago, the Catholic church was full of old men, and they decided what people could do. Life was difficult for women and young people. Today, the church is important, but the ideas of women and young people are important too. Two of Ireland’s presidents were women – Mary Robinson and M ary McA M cAlleese se.. For For Irel I relan and’ d’ss young young pe people ople the future uture is about about pop pop music and computers as well as farming and horses. Ireland is a part of the European Union, and most Irish people are very happy happy about about this. I rel relan and d is is not a poor country any more; more; a lot lot of busi busine ness ss peo peopl ple e come come to Irel Irelan and d and and buil build factori factorie es. Now, Now, perhap perhapss 10 per per cent cent of I rel relan and’ d’ss popul population ation are are peopl people e who have have come come from from other countri countrie es to fi find work there. there. M any come come from from Polan oland d and and other other countrie countries in Eastern Eastern Europe Europe,, and others others come come from from China hina and and countri countrie es in in Af A frica rica.. Tod To day, young Irish Irish people do not have to lea leave their country to find find work; they can fin work at home. Ireland is an interesting, exciting place for young people. But of course, there are always problems. There is more crime in I rel relan and d than than bef before ore.. A nd in in Northe Northern rn Irel I rela and the the probl problem ems are not over. over. Every year the Protestant Unionists march through the streets with their music. ‘We will always be British,’ they say, and they sing about William of Orange. ‘The British must leave Ireland,’ say the Catholic Nationalists in Sinn Fein. The Unionists and the Nationalists cannot both have what they want. Here, history helps no one. But most Iri Irish sh pe people ople, in the the north north and and south south of I rel relan and, d, do not want want bombs, guns, and fighting. They want to enjoy life. They want people to visi visitt thei their quie quiet rivers, ri vers, drink drink and and sing sing and and la laugh ugh in in thei theirr pubs, pubs, dance dance at thei their ceiilis, and ce and most most im importan portant of all, to talk. talk. Most of of the the titime, the I rish rish are the the frien riendl dliiest peopl people e in in Europ Europe e. A nd the three three most im important portant words in in the the I rish ri sh langu anguag age e are:
Céad Céad mile fáilte áilte
‘A hundred thousand welcomes.’
Céad Céad mile fáilte áilte
‘A hundred thousand welcomes.’
GLOSSARY attack to try hurt or kill someone battle a fight between armies in a war beer
a strong, brown-coloured alcoholic drink
GLOSSARY attack to try hurt or kill someone battle a fight between armies in a war beer
a strong, brown-coloured alcoholic drink
thing that that explodes explodes and and dam damages ages peopl people e or things thi ngs bomb a thing Catholic a member of the Christian church that follows the Pope in Rome crane a big machine that lifts heavy things
when something is destroyed, it is dead and finished (e.g. fire destroys a
destroy
forest) farms (n & v) land and buildings where people grow things to eat and keep animals
for food; farmer (n) game something that you play that has rules, e.g. football, tennis God God the ‘person’ who made the world and controls all things government a group of people who control a country
all the things things that that happene happened d in in the past past history all new thought thought or plan; plan; a picture picture in in your head head idea a new king the most important man in a country kiss to touch something with your lips land a piece of ground leader
someone who is the most important person in a group, a government, etc the ski skin n of an ani anim mal that that is is used used to make make things things lilike shoes shoes and and bags bags
leather
monastery a place where monks live, work and pray monk
a religious man who lives with other religious men in a monastery
person who makes makes musi musicc musician a person Nobel Prize one of six international prizes given each year for excellent work in
literature, medicine, etc ordinary not strange or special parade a line of people who are walking together for a special reason, while other
people watch them Parliament the people who make the laws in a country poem a piece of writing, often with short lines, showing feelings or ideas popular
if something is popular, a lot of people like it
president the leader of a country that does not have a king or queen problem
something difficult to understand, or find an answer for
Protestant a person who believes in the Christian God and who is not a Catholic pub a place where people go to have a drink, meet friends, etc
republic a country where the people choose the government and the leader
(i n Northe Northern rn Irel I relan and) d) a person person who who bel believes eves tha that Northe Northern rn Irel I relan and d shoul should d Republican (in be part part of the Republ public or Ireland I reland rule (of a king or queen) to control a country Saint part of the name of a holy person, often written as St shield a big piece of wood or metal that soldiers carry in front of their bodies when
republic a country where the people choose the government and the leader
(i n Northe Northern rn Irel I relan and) d) a person person who who bel believes eves tha that Northe Northern rn Irel I relan and d shoul should d Republican (in be part part of the Republ public or Ireland I reland rule (of a king or queen) to control a country Saint part of the name of a holy person, often written as St shield a big piece of wood or metal that soldiers carry in front of their bodies when
fighting to go down under water surrender to stop fighting because you cannot win sink
sword a long sharp knife for fighting throw to use your hand to send something quickly through the air university a place where people go to study after they leave school Viking one of a group of people from Scandinavia who attacked countries in
northwest Europe in the 8th to 11th centuries vote (v) to choose someone in an election by marking a piece of paper welcome you say this to a visitor to show that you are happy to see them
