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Fáilte chuig Portal na hÉireann!
Hailsin tae tha Airlann Portal!
Welcome to the Ireland Portal!Sister portal: 
Northern Ireland 
Ireland (Irish: Éire, Ulster Scots: Airlann) is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island. Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, covers the remainder and is located in the northeast of the island. The population of Ireland is estimated to be 6.2 million. Slightly less than 4.5 million are estimated to live in the Republic of Ireland and slightly less than 1.8 million live in Northern Ireland.
Relatively low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain to epitomise the Ireland's geography with several navigable rivers extending inland. The island has a lush vegetation, a product of its mild but changeable oceanic climate, which avoids extremes in temperature. Thick woodlands covered the island until the 1600s. Today, it is the most deforested area in Europe. Twenty-six mammal species are native to Ireland, with some, such as the red fox, hedgehog and badger, being very common. Others, like the Irish hare, red deer and pine marten are less so.
Irish culture has had a significant influence on culture world-wide, particularly in the fields of literature and, to a lesser degree, science and learning. A strong indigenous culture, expressed for example through native sports and the Irish language, exists alongside a regional culture, such as Rugby football and golf. Read more ...
Selected article
Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a heavy industries and shipbuilders located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Formed in 1861 by Edward James Harland (1831–1895) and Hamburg-born Gustav Wilhelm Wolff (1834–1913, in the UK from age 14), Harland had bought the small shipyard on Queen's Island, in which he was employed as general manager in 1858. The shipyard has built many types of ships continuously since then, the most famous being the RMS Titanic. Their main business today is ship repair and conversion work, ship design and bridge building. Harland and Wolff also owns the world's largest dry dock, which is in Belfast. Belfast's skyline is still dominated today by Harland and Wolff's famous twin cranes Samson and Goliath, built in 1974 and 1969 respectively.
The company was nationalised in 1977 but subsequently bought back from the British government in 1989 in a management/employee buy-out in partnership with the Norwegian shipping magnate Fred Olsen, leading to a new company called Harland and Wolff Holdings Plc. Faced with competitive pressures (especially as regards shipbuilding), Harland and Wolff have sought to shift and broaden their portfolio, focus less on shipbuilding and more on design and structural engineering, as well as ship repair, offshore construction projects and competing for other projects to do with metal engineering and construction. This led to Harland and Wolff constructing a series of bridges in Britain and also in the Republic of Ireland. Read more...
Selected biography
Gerry Adams, MLA, MP; born 6 October 1948) is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for Belfast West. He is the president of Sinn Féin, which is the second largest political party in Northern Ireland and fourth largest party in the Republic of Ireland.
Adams is credited with having played an important role in helping to end the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His leadership and ability to communicate and negotiate with both paramilitary forces and also politicians such as John Hume and John Major was the catalyst that brought about the Good Friday Agreement.
From the late 1980s, Adams was an important figure in the Northern Ireland peace process, initially following contact by the then Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader John Hume and subsequently with the Irish and British governments and then other parties. In 2005, the IRA indicated that its armed campaign was over and that it is now exclusively committed to democratic politics. Under Adams, Sinn Féin changed its traditional policy of abstentionism towards Oireachtas Éireann, the parliament of the Republic of Ireland, in 1986 and later took seats in the power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly.
Did you know...
- ...that the Coat of arms of Ireland are recorded as belonging to the King of Ireland as far back as the 13th century?
- ...that Yola was a West Germanic language spoken in Ireland until the mid-19th century?
- ...that the Royal Standard of Scotland may have its origins in a Milesian symbol brought from Ireland in the 6th century?
- ...that St. James's Gate is the traditional starting point in Ireland for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela?
Archive...
Quick archive- ...that County Wicklow was the last of the traditional counties of Ireland to be created in 1606—07?
- ...that 34 Irish Colleges have been established on the European continent since the 16th century?
- ...that pitch and putt, a game similar to golf was invented in Ireland where it is still mainly played?
- ...that Ireland's Thomas Gisborne Gordon is the only one-handed person ever to play international rugby of either code?
- ...that the O'Conors, medieval kings of Connacht, are one of the oldest royal families in Europe, tracing their dynasty to 76 AD?
- ...that as well as Saint Patrick, Ireland has two other patron saints: Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille?
- ...that the first soviet in the British Isles was established at Monaghan Lunatic Asylum in February 1919?
- ...that the Air Corps originate in the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks, when a biplane was purchased to allow Irish negotiators to escape should talks failed?
- ...that Ireland consumes more baked beans per head of population than any other country in the world?
- ...that the Irish Houses of Parliament building, now the Bank of Ireland at College Green, Dublin, was the first purpose-built parliament in the world?
- ...that Greek geographer Ptolemy used the term Μικρὰ Βρεττανία (Mikra Brettania, or Little Britain) to refer to Ireland, although in his later work uses Ιουερνία (Iwernia), which is thought to be truer to the name used by the inhabitants of the island?
- ...that Early Irish law permitted a husband to hit his wife to "correct" her, but that if the blow left a mark she was entitled to the equivalent of her bride price in compensation and could divorce him if she wished?
- ...that mountaineer Ger McDonnell, the first Irish person to summit K2, brought a hurley to the summit of Mount Everest in 2003?
- ...that the headland of Drumanagh in Co. Dublin may once have hosted a fort acting as bridgehead for Roman military invasion?
- …that some 2006 New York productions of DruidSynge, a production of the complete plays of John Millington Synge by the Druid Theatre Company, were performed in day-long cycles?
- ...that when County Clare was created in 1565 it was moved from Munster to Connacht only to be returned to Munster again in 1602?
- …that the MV Kerlogue, a Irish merchant ship, was attacked by both the Allied and Axis sides during World War II and rescued both sides. They rescued the Wild Rose of Liverpool and they rescued 168 Germans, 164 of who spent the rest of The Emergency interned in the Curragh internment camp?
- ...that the College Historical Society of Trinity College, Dublin is the oldest undergraduate student society in the world?
- ...that to the Romans, Scotia was another name for Hibernia, both meaning Ireland?
- ...that Gregg shorthand was invented by Co. Monaghan-born, John Robert Gregg?
- ...that Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, being first settled in 853?
- ...that according to traditional Irish genealogy, all Irish people are descended from King Milesius?
- ...that until 1953 both the IFA and FAI fielded international teams under the name of Ireland?
- ...that seventh-century Irish saint, Saint Fiacre, is the patron saint of taxi drivers?
- ...that Cashel, Co. Tipperary was made a city by charter of Charles II in 1667, but lost city status when its city corporation was abolished by the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840?
- ...that Newry had greatest rise in house prices in the United Kingdom over the last decade, with prices increasing by 371% since 1996?
- …that in 1903, George Moore, from a Catholic family and then aged 51, announced himself to be a Protestant in a letter to the Irish Times newspaper?
- …that David Feldman, an Irish philatelist now based in Geneva, auctioned the world's most expensive postage stamp, the Swedish Treskilling Yellow for 2.5 million Swiss francs in 1996?
- ...that Jonathan Swift called his predecessor "that rascal Dean Jones" because he made such bad property leases whilst Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin?
- ...that the Mount Sandel Mesolithic site in Coleraine, County Londonderry is the oldest archaeological site in Ireland?
- ...that Wellington Testimonial in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, is the largest obelisk in Europe?
- ...that shamrock is an internationally registered trademark of the Government of Ireland?
- ...that Ireland consumes more tea per head of population than any other country in the world?
- ...that Letterkenny has the longest main street in Ireland?
- ...that the remains of Saint Nicholas are said to be buried close to Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny, having been brought back from the Crusades by a 12th century knight?
- ...that cycle polo, a variant of polo played on bicycles instead of horses, originated in Ireland in 1891?
- ...that the River Foyle is the fastest flowing river in Europe and is crossed by Europe's only double-decker bridge?
- ...that Paul McGrath, growing up in orphanages, was known as Paul Nwobilo until eventually tracked down by his mother, Betty McGrath?
- ...that Cork Harbour is one of several harbours that lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area".
- ...that Robert the Bruce, the 14th century king of Scotland, popularised a "pan-Gaelic Greater Scotia" and his brother Edward Bruce was the last High King of Ireland?
- ...that City Hall in Cork was paid for by the British government as a gesture of reconciliation during the 1930s to replace the one burnt down by British forces during the War of Independence?
- ...that the English phrase "By Hook or by Crook" is said to be derived from attempts to take Waterford in 1649 by Hook, meaning Hook Head on the east side of Waterford Harbour, or by Crook, a village on the west side of the harbour?
- ...that Private James Daly, who led the The Connaught Rangers mutiny in India during the War of Independence, was the last member of the British armed forced to be executed for mutiny?
- ...that Dublin University Football Club, Trinity's Rugby Union club, established in 1854, has a strong claim to be the world's oldest football club?
- ...that Newfoundland, in eastern Canada, has a unique dialect of Irish, closely resembling the Irish spoken during the 16th to 17th centuries and called Newfoundland Irish?
- ...that the Dell manufacturing plant in Raheen, Limerick produces 30,000—60,000 personal computers per day and contributes 5.8% of Irish GDP?
- ...that in 1631 the entire population of the village of Baltimore, County Cork was kidnapped by Algerian pirates in what became known as the Sack of Baltimore?
- ...that the modern game of croquet was invented in Ireland in the 1830s?
- ...that the Guinness company once produced a Marmite-like yeast extract spread called Guinness Yeast Extract?
- ...the Choctaw tribe in America donated $170 towards famine relief in Ireland in 1847?
- ...that Sir Francis Beaufort, creator of the famed Beaufort Scale, was born in Navan in County Meath? Or that his restored Georgian home in Navan was controversially demolished in the 1990s to build a road?
- ...that Newgrange is a 5000 year old passage tomb pre-dating the pyramids and Stonehenge? The builders had astronomical knowledge to precisely illumininate the internal passages of the tomb during the winter solstice?
- ...that the Ó Siochfhradha brothers were Irish Language teachers and writers from Dingle?
- ...that Fran Dempsey, who acted as Fortycoats in the 1980s RTÉ children's program, is Ian Dempsey's father?
- ...that the 4m people living in the Republic represent only half citizens of the State?
- ...that Xtravision, Ireland's largest chain of video rental stores, was valued at IR£27m (€34m) when it went spectacularly bankrupt in 1991?
- ...that Griffith College Dublin is a private university located on South Circular Road in Dublin?
- ...that the RTE puppet Dustin the Turkey has mockingly run for President of Ireland several times?
- ...that people from Westport, County Mayo, are traditionally known as Coveys, and used to speak a dialect unintelligible to outsiders?
- ...that Dubliners have humorous nicknames for the city's monuments, including The Stiletto in the Ghetto and the Floozie in the Jacuzzi?
- ...that the various incarnations of the IRA were/are run by a chief of staff and that over 30 people have held this position since 1917?
- ...that, with a top rate of 12.5%, Ireland has the third lowest corporate tax rate in the world?
- ...that, with 10,000 dead, the 1316 Battle of Athenry was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Ireland?
- ...that the Treaty Ports of Cobh, Lough Swilly and Berehaven were UK sovereign bases from 1921 until 1938?
- ...that the Bogside Artists are a trio of mural painters in Derry?
- ...that Limerick city was besieged three times in the 17th century?
- ...Irish Times journalist Arthur Quinlan has interviewed every US president since Harry Truman?
- ...that gas bubbles travel downwards in a pint glass of Guinness ale?
- ...The Wanderings of Oisin, published in 1889, was Yeats’ first publication outside of magazines, immediately winning his reputation as a significant poet?
- ...that Irish songwriter Christy Moore wrote a comic song about the building of the Knock Airport, which transports hundreds of pilgrims to and from the Roman Catholic shrine at Knock, declaring, "I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock"?
- ...that, unlike oft-violent hurling, its female variant, camogie, forbids any unnecessary physical contact?
Selected picture
Hurling being played at Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, showing the hurley (stick) and sliotar (ball).Archive...
Quick archive-
Selskar Abbey, Wexford
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Limerick on the Shannon River (1840)
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Arthur Guinness, founder of the Guinness
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The woolsack, the Irish House of Lords.
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A horse drinking near Downpatrick
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The Cross of Cong
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The Chicago River, Saint Patrick's Day 2009
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A back road in Co. Mayo
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St. Patrick's Street, Cork circa. 1890-1900
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The Gap of Dunloe, Co. Kerry
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19th century Irish crochet
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Snap-Apple Night (Halloween) by Daniel Maclise
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A memorial to the first non-stop transatlantic flight
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An anti-Irish cartoon from 1871
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Wind-surfing on Lough Lene, Co. Westmeath
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Iron cross, Malin Head, Co. Donegal
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The Foyle at night.
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St. Eunan's College, Letterkenny
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Gaelic Irish soldiers
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Scotch Quay, Waterford
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City Hall, Belfast
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Yeats' grave, Co. Sligo
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City Hall, Cork
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St. Stephen's Green, Dublin
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Cathedral of St. Eunan and St Columba
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Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim, Cavan
Selected series: Irish cities
Coordinates: 54°30′43″N 6°01′52″W / 54.512°N 6.031°WLisburn Irish: Lios na gCearrbhach 
Irish Linen Museum and Christ Church Cathedral
Lisburn shown within Northern IrelandPopulation 71,465 (2001 Census) - Belfast 8 miles District Lisburn City County County Antrim
County DownCountry Northern Ireland Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town LISBURN Postcode district BT27
BT28Dialling code 028 Police Northern Ireland Fire Northern Ireland Ambulance Northern Ireland EU Parliament Northern Ireland UK Parliament Lagan Valley NI Assembly Lagan Valley Website http://www.lisburn.gov.uk List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • Categories
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Featured articles
1981 Irish hunger strike · Abbey Theatre · Aldfrith of Northumbria · Book of Kells · Richard Cantillon · Tom Crean · Andrew Cunningham · Derry City F.C. · Drapier's Letters · Geography of Ireland · Irish Victoria Cross recipients · Michael Gomez · Augusta, Lady Gregory · Irish phonology · Paul Kane · James Joyce · James II of England · George Moore · Murder of Julia Martha Thomas · Cillian Murphy · James Nesbitt · Arthur Ernest Percival · Postage stamps of Ireland · Representative peer · Ernest Shackleton · John Millington Synge · The Revolution Will Not Be Televised · William Butler Yeats · U2
Former featured articlesCeltic tiger · Samuel Beckett · Simon Byrne · Donegal fiddle tradition · Economy of Ireland · History of Limerick · Éire ·
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Related Wikimedia projects
- Vicífhoclóir — Wiktionary in the Irish language
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How to link here
Simply add{{Portal|Ireland}}to a page. If you need to use a flag, to avoid causing offense, please use the Four Provinces flag e.g.{{Portal|Ireland}}.If you are new to Wikipedia then Céad Mile Fáilte! This portal is for articles on Wikipedia that relate to Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). Like all of Wikipedia, it is written collaboratively and, like any article that you find using it, it too can be edited by anyone.
There is an active community of editors working on Ireland-related articles on Wikipedia and there are dedicated projects that tie this community together. To get in touch with them - or just to find out more - drop by at one of the parent Ireland-related projects:
- WikiProject Ireland (all-island)
- Wikiproject Northern Ireland
If you want to get involved in contributing to Wikipedia, don't worry - everybody needs some help at the start. If you get into trouble you can always ask another Wikipedian for help. These guides should get you up-and-running on how Wikipedia works and how you can contribute:
- Getting started: This introduction explains how Wikipedia works. When you're ready, you can try the tutorial.
- Questions about Wikipedia: The Frequent Ask Questions page has answers to all kinds of questions asked about Wikipedia.
If you would like to involve yourself with the Irish on Wikipedia, the section below will connect you to communities of editors working on specific Ireland-related topics. It also contains an up-to-date to do list for Ireland-related articles so you can start helping out right now. Click [show] (below, right) to see it all:
- How you can improve Ireland-related articles on Wikipedia... !
Portals: Ireland · Northern IrelandWikiProjects: Belfast · European Union · Gaeilge · Irish Republicanism · Irish MaritimeContact: Irish Wikipedians' Notice Board · Northern Irish Wikipedians' Notice Board · Irish Wikipedians · Northern Irish Wikipedians · Wikipedians in IrelandPlease add what information to the address book that you can!
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