Ireland Facts

The three most famous symbols of Ireland are the green Shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross. Find out more interesting Ireland facts!

• Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest in the world.

• The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in County Galway.

• The most intemperately populated county is Dublin.

• There are no postal or ZIP codes in Ireland outside of Dublin.
  

  Aside from the color green, the activity most associated with St. Patrick’s Day is drinking. However, Irish law, from 1903 to 1970, declared St. Patrick’s Day a religious observance for the entire country meaning that all pubs were shut down for the day. That meant no beer, not even the green kind, for public celebrants. The law was overturned in 1970, when St. Patrick’s was reclassified as a national holiday – allowing the taps to flow freely once again.

• Gaelic is the commonly spoken language in Ireland, next to Irish and English.

• Dracula may actually have been inspired by the Irish legend of Abhartach.

• Halloween was derived from an Irish festival.

• The “Guinness Book of World Records” was created by Guinness brewery employees.

• An Irishman designed the White House.

• The Irish may have discovered America first.

• St. Patrick was not actually Irish, he was Roman.

• The color that was originally associated with Saint Patrick wasn’t green, it was blue.

• Titanic, the Unsinkable ship, which sunk in its maiden voyage, was made in Ireland.

• Ireland has had its own Olympics since the Bronze Age, called the Tailteann Games.

• Ireland is the only country in the EU where abortion is still illegal.

• Ireland’s most famous musical export is U2.

• There are more mobile phones in Ireland than there are people.

• There are more Irish people living outside of Ireland than in.

• The Irish Police force, Gardai, don’t carry firearms.