Interesting Facts about Ireland

Ireland Interesting Facts

Ireland, officially the Republic of Ireland, is a country in Europe. Here are some interesting facts about Ireland:

Halloween originated in Ireland. The basis of the fun holiday goes back to the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which is over 2000 years old. The ancient inhabitants of Ireland celebrated the return of the dead to Earth once a year before the start of the new calendar year.

The Island’s Snake-Free. You won’t find any native snakes in Ireland's luscious rolling hills.

The famous 5th-century missionary that helped bring Christianity to Ireland wasn't Irish. Actually, he was a Roman that arrived in Ireland as a slave when he was a young boy.

The Titanic was built in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Ireland is the only nation in the world with a musical instrument as its national symbol.

The world famous beer Guinness comes from Ireland. It originated in the Arthur Guinness brewery in Dublin, which was not actually owned by the company, but was leased for 9,000 years.

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

The longest river in Ireland is the river Shannon. It passes through 11 counties and is 370 km long.

The highest mountain in Ireland is Carrauntoohil.

The first potato in Ireland was planted in Youghal, Cork.

Five main cities in Ireland are: Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny, and Waterford.

Phoenix Park in Dublin is the third largest walled city park in Europe.

Ireland’s traditional sport is Hurling. Hurling is one of the oldest and the fastest sports in the world.

Now the iconic Count Dracula is the protagonist of the Dracula novel. The book was written by Bram Stoker who was born in Dublin, Ireland.

One of the oldest lighthouses in the world is located in Wexford, Ireland.

The oldest pub in Ireland is found in Westmeath. It’s widely believed that Sean's Bar is the oldest pub in the world.

The oldest hotel in Ireland is located in Wicklow. The Woodenbridge Hotel was opened in 1608.

The Rotunda in Dublin, Ireland is the oldest continuously operating maternity hospital in the world. The hospital opened in 1745.

One of the lions from the opening clips for MGM movies was born in Dublin Zoo, Ireland.

The term "Luck of the Irish" was first used in a pejorative tone.

Ireland shares a land border only with the United Kingdom.