150 Interesting Facts about Ireland for Travelers

(Last Updated On: April 16, 2021)

There are many interesting facts about Ireland. Pope John Paul II said, “Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.” In this article, I will share some interesting facts about the lovely Ireland.

Interesting Facts about Ireland

Muckanaghederdauhaulia is the name of a small village in Connemara in Co. Galway. It is the longest place name in English with 22 letters. Try saying that 5 instances quick…or actually simply as soon as is difficult sufficient.

The nation has had an excessive birthrate for the final 50 years, and due to that, Ireland has one of many youngest populations on the earth. Approximately 50% of the inhabitants are lower than 28 years of age.

During the 1840s, Ireland’s staple crop – the potato – failed, resulting in the Great Famine. An estimated million individuals died of hunger and illness between 1846 and 1851, and two million emigrated between 1845 and 1855.

Because Ireland is so remoted from the European mainland, it lacks a number of species common elsewhere in Europe, akin to moles, weasels, polecats, or roe deer, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

At the peak of 688 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, Croaghaun (on Achill Island) are the second-highest cliffs in Europe. The highest is in Cape Enniberg within the Faroe Islands.

Even although Ireland is the birthplace of Guinness beer, Britain is the number one shopper of the beverage, Nigeria is second, and Ireland is third. An estimated 40% of all Guinness beer is bought in Africa.

Irish engineer John Philip Holland constructed the first submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy.

Ireland is the one nation on the earth to have a musical instrument because of the national image. You can go to a number of the oldest harps on the earth at Trinity College in Dublin.

The three most well-known Celtic symbols of Ireland are the inexperienced Shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross.

The submarine was invented in Ireland by John Philip Holland, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

Muckanaghederdauhaulia is a small townland in County Galway which interprets as a “ridge, shaped like a pig’s back, between two expanses of briny water”.

Irish invented Halloween! Over the centuries the traditional Celtic competition of Samhain, a harvest competition that celebrated the top of the summer, and All Saint’s Day merged to later turn out to be Halloween as we all know it.

Ireland was one of many first 12 European Union nations that started utilizing the euro forex in 2002, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

The White House was designed by Irishman James Hoban who received a contest in 1792, which lead him to create the building.

Over 40 million Americans are of Irish descent, which is seven instances greater than the inhabitants of Ireland itself.

In the late 18th century, Cork was the biggest exporter of butter on the earth. This was the principal to Britain and the British Empire.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club was based in 1720 and is the world’s oldest yacht membership, which is one of the Ireland facts.

Cork Harbour claims to be the second-largest pure harbor on the earth by navigational space, after Sydney’s Port Jackson.

One of probably the most well-known information about Ireland is that Dublin is dwelling to the world-famous Guinness Brewery. In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease for the land.

Irish Castles are scattered throughout the island in huge quantities, and numbers level to a complete of 30000 castles and spoil. Some of the castles are open for vacationers to remain in. Irish Castles are scattered throughout the island in huge quantities, and numbers level to a complete of 30000 castles and spoil.

Ireland has one of many highest church attendances in Europe, and about 80% of the full inhabitants are nominally Roman Catholics.

Rotunda Hospital in Dublin opened its doorways in 1745. It is the longest-running maternity hospital on the earth.

The guillotine was utilized in Ireland earlier than it was utilized in France. The earliest use dates again to 1307.

Ireland is the one nation on the earth the place our windmills flip in a clockwise route. Though having checked this truth about Ireland it appears unfaithful. And they only flip relying on the motor.

The Late Late Show is an Irish chat present. It is the world’s second-longest-running late-night discussion present, after the American The Tonight Show.

Montgomery Street in Dublin was as soon as the biggest red-light district in all of Europe, which is one of the fun facts about Ireland.

The hottest sport in Ireland is Gaelic soccer, adopted by Hurling. Both sports activities are native to Ireland.

According to the latest census, there are actually extra Polish individuals in Ireland than there is a native audio system of the unique Irish language Gaelic.

The largest city in Ireland is Drogheda, with inhabitants of 40,956, up 6.2% since April 2011.

May is usually the driest month of the 12 months in Ireland, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

Google, Microsoft, Facebook, PayPal, Twitter, Intel, Apple, and lots of extra giant company US corporations all have their European Headquarters in Ireland.

In 2004 Ireland was the first nation on the earth to introduce a national ban on smoking within the office and pubs/eating places.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club was based in 1720 and is the world’s oldest yacht membership, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

The largest Irish Lottery jackpot received was valued at €18,963,441, and was received by a syndicate of 16 gamers who all labored at a concrete plant in County Carlow.

Ireland is accountable for lots of innovations akin to Colour images, Whiskey Distilling, Ejector Seat, Guided Missile, Guinness, Hypodermic Syringe, Modern Tractor, Tank, TransAtlantic Calls, Flavoured Crisps, Portable defibrillator, Rubber-soled sneakers.

Founded in 1745, the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin is the world’s oldest repeatedly working maternity hospital.

Ireland has received the Eurovision Song Contest seven instances, greater than another nation. Ireland has received in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1996.

Irish individuals devour on common 131.1 liters of beer per 12 months! The 2nd highest per-capita consumption after the Czech Republic.

The Great Potato Famine in Ireland was so devastating that the inhabitants nonetheless hasn’t recovered.

At the peak of the Irish Potato Famine, the British authorities canceled the soup kitchen support program and discontinued monetary support from the London authorities.

Before the Irish Potato Famine, practically half of the Irish inhabitants spoke Irish. By 1900, solely 15% of the inhabitants spoke it, which is one of the Ireland facts.

The official World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade route is simply 98 ft lengthy. It is in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Until the 1970s, Irish regulation prohibited pubs from opening on March 17 as a mark of respect for this spiritual day.

More Irish persons are biking! In April 2016, 56,837 individuals cycled to work, a rise of 43% since 2011.Irish cyclers

Until 1985, you wanted a prescription to purchase condoms in Ireland.

A motorway in Ireland was delayed by ten years after which rerouted to guard a tree that was thought to belong to fairies.

The ball that drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve is made by Waterford Crystal, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

In the 18th century, Cork was the biggest exporter of butter on the earth.

Puck Fair is considered one of Ireland’s oldest gala’s. It takes place yearly for 3 days on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of August in Killorglin, County Kerry. A goat is topped king for 3 days and hoisted on a 40-foot pedestal.

There is a village in Limerick, Ireland referred to as Hospital. It doesn’t have a hospital.

The Irish report the bottom annual variety of UFO sightings in Europe, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

Gay marriage has been authorized in Ireland since 2015.

During the Great Famine, or the Irish Potato Famine, over 1 million Irish died, and practically 2 million emigrated, dropping the inhabitants by about 25%.

Abortion has been authorized in Ireland since 2018, which is one of the fun facts about Ireland.

Buenos Aires is dwelling to the biggest St Patrick’s Day celebration in South America.

300+ stadiums, statues, museums, and towers went inexperienced to rejoice our St Patrick’s day in 2018 – see final years right here.50 Interesting information about Ireland

Because of its lush, rolling hills, and panorama, Ireland’s nickname is “The Emerald Isle.”

Saint Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint, despite the fact that he really was born in Britain, which is one of the Ireland facts.

Ireland is the 20th largest island on the earth, which is one of the fun facts about Ireland.

The United Kingdom governs Northern Ireland, however, the remainder of Ireland is an impartial nation.

Ireland’s Patron Saint Patrick was not Irish. He was a Briton. As a teen, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and was compelled to work as a slave herding sheep. He turned to God throughout this time.

The Irish language grew to become the official first language of the Republic of Ireland in 1937.

Ireland is usually believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

The national sport in Ireland is just not rugby, soccer, and even cricket. It is Gaelic soccer and hurling. Dating again to three,000 years in the past, hurling was initially performed by warriors to follow their swordsmanship expertise. Gaelic soccer is a combination of rugby and soccer and was first correctly performed in 1885.

The longest name of a city in Ireland is Bullaunancheathrairaluinn. It interprets as “Bullaun [bowl] of the Four Beauties.”

Irish is a Gaelic language belonging to the Celtic aspect of the Indo-European language tree, and never very like English in any respect. It’s nonetheless the first spoken language in Galway, Kerry, Cork, and Donegal, smaller areas of Waterford, Mayo, and Meath.

Ireland is among the finest nations on the earth for gender equality. We have had two feminine presidents.

Hook Lighthouse is considered the oldest working lighthouse in Europe, or probably on the earth. Located at Hook Head, in County Wexford, the current construction was accomplished both in 1172 or in 1245, though the first lighthouse on that spot dates again to the fifth century. Hook Lighthouse, Wexford, Ireland

There is a debate over which pub is the oldest, however, in response to the Guinness Book of World Records, Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest, courting again 900 years. The Brazen Head in Dublin additionally claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland established in 1178 and has been frequented by historic figures like Michael Collins, James Joyce, and Jonathan Swift.

The Céide Fields in County Mayo are probably the most intensive Stone Age web site on the earth. It comprises the oldest identified area programs on the earth (6,000 years previous), in addition to Europe’s most large stone enclosure (77 km).

You could affiliate the shamrock with Ireland, nevertheless, it really has two national symbols – the harp and the shamrock. Ireland is the one nation on the earth with a musical instrument as its national image.

Contrary to in style perception, the national image of Ireland is just not the shamrock; it is the harp. In the 16th century, the British Crown tried to demoralize the Irish by ordering all Gaelic harps to be burned and all harpists to be executed.

Ireland is the second-largest shopper of tea per particular person at 4.83 kilos per particular person yearly. Turkey is first with 6.7 kilos consumed per particular person.

An Irishman named James Hoban (1755–1831) designed the White House in Washington, D.C. The Leinster House in Dublin considerably influenced his design for the U.S. capital.

In the early 1900s, the Irish used the shamrock as a logo of riot towards the British. Openly carrying the three-leaf clover was made unlawful and was punishable by dying.

Over 40 million Americans are of Irish descent, which is seven instances greater than the inhabitants of Ireland itself.

The national dance of Ireland is the Irish dance. The Irish dance has its roots in Celtic dancing, which was a type of pagan dance inside a round formation of stones, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

Ireland’s national plant is the shamrock. It is usually related to Saint Patrick, who is claimed to have used the three-leafed plant to show individuals concerning the Holy Trinity.

The phrase shamrock derives from the age-old Irish phrase “seamrog,” that means “summer plant”, which is one of the fun facts about Ireland.

In the United States, New York has probably the most concentrated Irish inhabitants, whereas Boston has probably the most concentrated Irish inhabitants for a city. Miami is the least Irish city within the nation.

Middleton, a small city of 12,000 individuals in Ireland, erected a monument to the Choctaw Nation. In spite of practically being destroyed after strolling on the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw Nation managed to ship Ireland $170 ($5,000 in as we speak cash) throughout the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s.

During the catastrophic Irish Potato Famine, Ottoman Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid deliberate to ship Irish farmers £10,000. However, Queen Victoria requested that they solely ship £1,000 as a result of she had solely despatched £2,000. He despatched the £1,000, however, he additionally secretly despatched 5 ships filled with meals.

During the Great Famine, or the Irish Potato Famine, over 1 million Irish died and practically 2 million emigrated, dropping the inhabitants by about 25%.

All dwelling polar bears can hint their lineage again to a single, feminine brown bear from Ireland who lived between 20,000–50,000 years in the past.

Ireland has received the Eurovision Song Contest seven instances, greater than another nation, which is one of the Ireland facts.

Not to confuse you with too many holidays, however, you’ll be able to thank Ireland for Halloween. Over the centuries the traditional Celtic competition of Samhain, a harvest competition that celebrated the top of the summer, and All Saint’s Day merged to later turn out to be Halloween as Americans comprehend it.

The gorgeous Cliffs of Moher could be seen within the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Princess Bride, and The Mackintosh Man.

The world-famous Guinness beer is from Ireland. It originated within the Dublin brewery of Arthur Guinness, which wasn’t really owned by the corporate, however slightly granted a 9,000-year lease.

Over 70-80 million individuals worldwide declare Irish ancestry. However, it’s exhausting to estimate the precise numbers. The main trigger for such a quantity is the huge emigrations as a consequence of famine and the seek for higher alternatives overseas, particularly in America within the 1800s. Over 70-80 million individuals worldwide declare Irish ancestry, nonetheless, it’s exhausting to estimate precise numbers. The main trigger for such a quantity is the huge emigrations as a consequence of famine and the seek for higher alternatives overseas, particularly in America within the 1800s.

During the Irish Potato Famine, Ireland continued to provide giant portions of meals. But as a result of they have been thought-about “cash crops,” they have been exported for cash slightly than given to the ravenous poor.

Did you understand that there are not any wild snakes in Ireland? The sea has stopped many animals widespread in mainland Europe from reaching the island. However many imagine that St Patrick banished all snakes from Ireland. St Patrick Himself – St Patrick’s day information

Blarney is well known the world over for a stone on the parapet that’s mentioned to endow whoever kisses it with the everlasting gift of eloquence – the ‘Gift of the Gab.’

Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest canine breed on the earth. John F. Kennedy and Wolfie (Mixed Breed) and Shannon (Irish Cocker Spaniel)

The Titanic was in-built Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is one of the interesting facts about Ireland.

Between 1880 and 1916, the authorized time in Dublin was set at Dunsink Observatory and referred to as Dublin Mean Time. This time was 25 minutes 21 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia (muk-an-hand-ra-do-dauter-hal-i-a). It is a 470-acre townland within the civil parish of Kilcummin in County Galway, Ireland.

Ireland is the one nation on the earth to have a musical instrument because it’s a national image. You can go to a number of the oldest harps on the earth at Trinity College in Dublin.

Newgrange, which is assessed as a passage tomb or probably a historic temple, is 5,000 years previous making it older than the traditional pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge

Ireland is among the few nations on the earth, and the one nation within the EU, that doesn’t have postal codes (aside from Dublin city). However, the nation is within the strategy of designing and implementing a nation-wide postcode system for 2015.

Green wasn’t all the time related to St. Patrick. In truth, historians say that St. Patrick’s shade was gentle blue. According to this Time submit, carrying inexperienced took place after throughout the 1798 Irish Rebellion when the clover grew to become a logo of Irish nationalism.

St. Patrick didn’t actually chase all of the snakes out of Ireland because the legend suggests. Scientists say Ireland has by no means had any snakes on its inexperienced shores.