Northern Ireland
GENERAL INFORMATION Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. It occupies 17% of the island of Ireland. It is divided amongst 6 counties and is crisscrossed by uplands and lowlands. Northem Ireland also hosts Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in Britain In the 1920s, Northern Ireland was officially separated from Ireland. At the moment the population is about 1,903.100 people. According to a 2001 sociological survey on religious affiliation, 53% of Northern Ireland residents identified themselves as Protestants, 44% as Catholics, and 3% of the population are atheists or adhere to another religion. Irish language is an official language in Northern Ireland. The Irish language is the second most spoken language in Northern Ireland, the first is English.
THE CAPITAL
The capital of Northem Ireland and also the largest city is Belfast. The city was founded in the early 17th century, In the 12th century, Belfast Castle was built here, which later gave the name to the whole city, Belfast is popular among tourists who travel to visit sightseeing. The Titanic, famous for its fate, was built and sailed from here. There is also the Royal University, which has been continuously aperating since the 12th century.
The capital of Northem Ireland and also the largest city is Belfast. The city was founded in the early 17th century, In the 12th century, Belfast Castle was built here, which later gave the name to the whole city, Belfast is popular among tourists who travel to visit sightseeing. The Titanic, famous for its fate, was built and sailed from here. There is also the Royal University, which has been continuously aperating since the 12th century.
NATURE AND CLIMATE
Northern Ireland's climate is temperate and maritime; most of its weather comes from the southwest in a series of low-pressure systems bringing the rain and clouds that often lend character to the landscape. In the north and on the east coast, particularly, severe westerly gales are common. The general features of the vegetation of Northern Ireland are similar to those in the northwest of Britain. Most of the land has been plowed, drained, and cultivated for centuries. Only about 5 percent of the land is now under forest, and most of this has been planted by the state. The fauna of Norther treland is not very different from that of Great Britain, Only two mammals-the Irish stoat and the Irish hare-and three species of birds are exclusively Irish. The region is rich in fish: pike, trout, and salmon.
Northern Ireland's climate is temperate and maritime; most of its weather comes from the southwest in a series of low-pressure systems bringing the rain and clouds that often lend character to the landscape. In the north and on the east coast, particularly, severe westerly gales are common. The general features of the vegetation of Northern Ireland are similar to those in the northwest of Britain. Most of the land has been plowed, drained, and cultivated for centuries. Only about 5 percent of the land is now under forest, and most of this has been planted by the state. The fauna of Norther treland is not very different from that of Great Britain, Only two mammals-the Irish stoat and the Irish hare-and three species of birds are exclusively Irish. The region is rich in fish: pike, trout, and salmon.
ANTHEM AND SYMBOLS
The Ulster Banner
The Uister Banner was used by the Northern Irish government from 1953 until 1973. Since then, it has had no official status. He us. However, it is still used as the flag of Northern Ireland by both loyalists and unionists and to represent Northern Ireland internationally in some sporting competitions, like the Commonwealth Games.
The Uister Banner was used by the Northern Irish government from 1953 until 1973. Since then, it has had no official status. He us. However, it is still used as the flag of Northern Ireland by both loyalists and unionists and to represent Northern Ireland internationally in some sporting competitions, like the Commonwealth Games.
The Saint Patrick's Saltire
The Saint Patrick's Saltire represents Northern Ireland indirectly as Ireland in the Union Flag, It is sometimes flown during Saint Patricks Day parades in Northern Ireland and is used to represent Northern Ireland during some royal events.
Anthem:
Would God I were the tender apple blossom That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold While sun and shade your robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and your hair's spun gold. Yea, would to God I were among the roses That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud unclases A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen. Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy dalsy, in the garden path That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.
National Anthem: Northern Ireland
Shamrock
Legend has it that the shamrock was used by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, to illustrate the Holy Trinity, hence its widespread use on St. Patrick's day on 17 March.
The Saint Patrick's Saltire represents Northern Ireland indirectly as Ireland in the Union Flag, It is sometimes flown during Saint Patricks Day parades in Northern Ireland and is used to represent Northern Ireland during some royal events.
Anthem:
Would God I were the tender apple blossom That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold While sun and shade your robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and your hair's spun gold. Yea, would to God I were among the roses That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud unclases A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen. Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy dalsy, in the garden path That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.
National Anthem: Northern Ireland
Shamrock
Legend has it that the shamrock was used by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, to illustrate the Holy Trinity, hence its widespread use on St. Patrick's day on 17 March.
GOVERNMENT
Northern Ireland elects 18 Members of Parliament (МP) to the House of Commons; only 13 take their seats, however, as the 5 Sinn Fein MPs refuse to take the oath to serve the Queen that is required of all МPs. Executive powers in Northern Ireland are vested with the Governor, Lord Grey, appointed by the King (Queen); the legislative body is a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Commons (Roderick O'Connor) and the Senate.
Northern Ireland elects 18 Members of Parliament (МP) to the House of Commons; only 13 take their seats, however, as the 5 Sinn Fein MPs refuse to take the oath to serve the Queen that is required of all МPs. Executive powers in Northern Ireland are vested with the Governor, Lord Grey, appointed by the King (Queen); the legislative body is a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Commons (Roderick O'Connor) and the Senate.
THE SIGHTSEEING
Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Museum in Belfast is a monument of the city's maritime heritage. It was opened in April 2012 and immediately became a popular attraction among residents and visitors of the city. It tells the stories of the Titanic, which crashed into an iceberg and sank during its first voyage in 1912. It's also tells about sister ships RMS Olympic and HMHS Britannic.
Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Museum in Belfast is a monument of the city's maritime heritage. It was opened in April 2012 and immediately became a popular attraction among residents and visitors of the city. It tells the stories of the Titanic, which crashed into an iceberg and sank during its first voyage in 1912. It's also tells about sister ships RMS Olympic and HMHS Britannic.
Big Fish
The Lagan is one of the main rivers of Northern Ireland. During the XX century, the reservoir was constantly polluted, and as a result, fish almost completely disappeared from it. The Irish were clearing the river and launched atlantic salmon into the river. As a sign of this event, a monument to a Big Fish was erected in 1999. The sculpture is a symbol of Belfast. It is believed that a message to future generations is kept inside it.
The Lagan is one of the main rivers of Northern Ireland. During the XX century, the reservoir was constantly polluted, and as a result, fish almost completely disappeared from it. The Irish were clearing the river and launched atlantic salmon into the river. As a sign of this event, a monument to a Big Fish was erected in 1999. The sculpture is a symbol of Belfast. It is believed that a message to future generations is kept inside it.
Belfast City Hall
The City Hall was built in 1906, 18 years after the Queen made Belfast a city. It was necessary to have a place in which the government could be placed. At the moment, the City Hall in Belfast is still an administrative building, meetings are held here to discuss management issues. Tourists are not allowed. It is allowed to enter only accompanied by a guide. This beautiful building stands in the heart of Belfast City centre.
The City Hall was built in 1906, 18 years after the Queen made Belfast a city. It was necessary to have a place in which the government could be placed. At the moment, the City Hall in Belfast is still an administrative building, meetings are held here to discuss management issues. Tourists are not allowed. It is allowed to enter only accompanied by a guide. This beautiful building stands in the heart of Belfast City centre.
The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. Standing on the Giant’s Causeway and examining the pillars made it easy to believe that it was built by giants. They look like they had to have been carefully placed there by someone larger than normal people. Irish believed that the causeway was built by giants. When looking at it, it’s easy to see why.
Dunluce Castle sits on the top of a crumbling Northern Irish cliff on the very edge of the Sea of Moyle. One of the leading attractions on the Causeway Coast Dunluce has been a source of legends and stories dating back centuries. No one knows what the original name means. Dunluce castle translates as ‘fort of the fort’, but the meaning of the earlier name ‘Dunliphis’ is a mystery. CS Lewis is reputed to have taken inspiration from Dunluce Castle for the Royal Castle of Cair Paravel in the Chronicles of Narnia.
FESTIVALS
Saint Patrick is an iconic figure in Northern Ireland. According to legend, the patron saint of the island brought Christianity here and drove out all the snakes. Saint Patrick is associated with the legend of a three-leaf clover, which a pious believer painted on the writings of the Holy Trinity. On March 17, the Irish go to an organized parade where everyone dances and sings. Over time, St. Patricks Day has gone beyond the boundaries of one state, personifies the day of Ireland and is celebrated internationally, in various countries of the workd, they celebrate the «green day». Ev Everyone who came to the celebration should decorate their clothes with a clover leaf or put on something emerald green.The shamrock has become an emblem of the national identity of the Irish, their long-awaited freedom.
Saint Patrick is an iconic figure in Northern Ireland. According to legend, the patron saint of the island brought Christianity here and drove out all the snakes. Saint Patrick is associated with the legend of a three-leaf clover, which a pious believer painted on the writings of the Holy Trinity. On March 17, the Irish go to an organized parade where everyone dances and sings. Over time, St. Patricks Day has gone beyond the boundaries of one state, personifies the day of Ireland and is celebrated internationally, in various countries of the workd, they celebrate the «green day». Ev Everyone who came to the celebration should decorate their clothes with a clover leaf or put on something emerald green.The shamrock has become an emblem of the national identity of the Irish, their long-awaited freedom.
In a bloody battle near the Boyne on July 12, 1690, the British king secured the dominant position of Protestantism on the island. In memory of this, since 1807, Orange marches have been held in cities. They pass along the central streets towards the churches. Every year, this mass event splits society into two camps: Catholics are unhappy with the march, and Protestants resist the ban on the ceremony.
Two Celtic holidays Samhain and Beltane are considered historical heritage of the Northern Irish, Samhain is celebrated on the night of May 1, Beltane – on the night of November 1. The main ritual is to kindle huge fires on the tops of mountains, hills or open plateaus.
INTERESTING TO KNOW
Northern Ireland was covered by an ice sheet for most of the last ice age and on numerous previous occasions, the legacy of which can be seen in the extensive coverage of drumlins in Counties Fermanagh, Armagh, Antrim and particularly Down.
Northem treland is sometimes referred to as Ulster, although it includes only six of the nine counties which made up that historic frish province. Cuttural links between Northern Ireland, the rest of freland, and the rest of the UK are complex, with Northern Ireland sharing both the culture of Ireland and the culture of the United Kingdom. Although English is the most popular language in Norther Ireland, Irish and Ulster Scots are still prevalent in several pockets of the region. Interestingly, Chinese is the most widely spoken minority language in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland was covered by an ice sheet for most of the last ice age and on numerous previous occasions, the legacy of which can be seen in the extensive coverage of drumlins in Counties Fermanagh, Armagh, Antrim and particularly Down.
Northem treland is sometimes referred to as Ulster, although it includes only six of the nine counties which made up that historic frish province. Cuttural links between Northern Ireland, the rest of freland, and the rest of the UK are complex, with Northern Ireland sharing both the culture of Ireland and the culture of the United Kingdom. Although English is the most popular language in Norther Ireland, Irish and Ulster Scots are still prevalent in several pockets of the region. Interestingly, Chinese is the most widely spoken minority language in Northern Ireland.
