The population of the current species of red deer in Ireland is around 100, up from 60, and mostly concentrated in Killarney National Park. So, the Irish
Did you know the Irish hare is Ireland's unofficial national animal? Ireland doesn't have an official national animal as such, as in Ireland such symbols are often defined by common usage rather than by official acts, in part because many of them pre-date the relatively recent partition of the island.
The official State emblems of Ireland are the Harp and the Shamrock. The National Flag is not a State emblem but is protected under the Irish Constitution.
In 1990, a committee of the Irish Wildlife Conservancy declared the Northern Lapwing as the national bird of Ireland. The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is a shorebird belonging to the plover family.
Northern Ireland is also bereft of an animal whether real or fictitious. Scotland has its Unicorn, Wales its Dragon and England its Lion but Northern Ireland has nothing. The old heraldic Coat of Arms of Northern Ireland did have an Irish Elk on the right side but it was put out to pasture in 1972.
Hunted for meat and for sport, and used as a motif in the decorative arts, the kangaroo was finally recognised as an official symbol of Australia when it was included on the nation's coat of arms in 1908.
Deer (who shed antlers) suggest cycles of growth; in Ireland they are sacred to the goddess Flidais, while in Scotland they are guarded by the Cailleach.
This The Irish Shamrock - National Flower Fact File outlines the history of the shamrock and how it came to be a national symbol for Ireland. Find out what a shamrock is, the history of its significance and its importance as a celebratory symbol of the Irish holiday of St Patrick's Day.
The Trinity Knot is a Symbol of Eternal Love
As an unending knot that cannot be untied, Trinity Knots are now seen as a beautiful symbol of eternity, unity, love and commitment not just here in Ireland but worldwide.
Ireland is known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. In fact, its nickname is the Emerald Isle.
For example, Murphy, Byrne, and O'Brien are a few of the oldest and most common surnames in Ireland. Some may even say Murphy is the most Irish name ever, as it's currently the most common surname in the country. Many Irish family names have both anglicised and Gaelic equivalents.
The Republic of Ireland has no national motto, but Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever) is a popular unofficial motto. Northern Ireland has used the motto Quis separabit?, Latin from Romans 8:35: Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi..., "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
Éire (Irish: [ˈeːɾʲə] ( listen)) is Irish for "Ireland", the name of both an island in the North Atlantic and the sovereign state of the Republic of Ireland which governs 84% of the island's landmass.
Irish Stew
To many across the country, Irish stew is the national dish of Ireland. The methods and flavour of an Irish stew vary from person to person and have evolved over the years.
Sessile oak is the national tree of Ireland. It has both male and female flowers. Male flowers are catkins and female flowers are clusters of bracts. A Sessile oak seedling emerges amongst bluebells in a woodland.
Ireland is famous for its scenic coastlines, towns, and villages along the shoreline. Most of these coastline towns are located in the west of Ireland, mainly in the province of Munster. That's where we live in Limerick! The most famous landmark in Ireland is probably the Cliffs of Moher located in County Clare.
Mo Mhuirnin (pronounced 'mur-neen'): Means 'my little darling' or 'my dear', a more formal phrase. Mo fhíorghra: (pronounced 'heer-graw') Means 'my true love', one of the most romantic phrases around. Mo shíorghra: Means 'my eternal love', sometimes used as a term for 'soulmates'.
Today, the term 'Celtic' generally refers to the languages and cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany; also called the Celtic nations. These are the regions where Celtic languages are still spoken to some extent.
The shamrock and the four-leaf clover are considered a symbol of luck. Leprechauns are synonymous with luck in Irish mythology. Capturing a leprechaun is said to be good luck, while they are also often depicted having pots of gold at the end of rainbows.
It is generally believed that Saint Patrick used the Dara Knot to symbolize unity and peace among the Irish people. It represents the trinity, as it displays three interlocking circles.
Although potatoes are the most common root vegetable seen in Irish dishes, it doesn't mean that other roots can't make an appearance every now and again! As a side dish, honey glazed carrots and parsnips go together with meat or fish and are quick, simple and such a yummy combination of sweet and savory.
Shamrock clovers have three leaves, so finding a 4-leaf clover is considered lucky because it is so rare. Other interesting facts include: On average, out of every 10,000 clovers, you'll find one lucky four-leaf clover. The four leaves represent faith, love, hope, and luck.
Loved by the Irish and Irish diaspora, as well as anyone celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, the shamrock is a symbol of Ireland, worn on clothes and seen on objects. Not to be confused with a lucky four leaf clover, the shamrock has three leaves - which are key to the reason that the shamrock is now a symbol of Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated worldwide on March 17, honors St. Patrick, the Christian missionary who supposedly rid Ireland of snakes during the fifth century A.D.
People of ancient Ireland believed that cats operated somewhere between the mortal and spiritual realms. They viewed them as guardians of the gates of the Otherworld; a link between humans and the Otherworld.