Ireland
History Irish history really begins with Saint Patrick, who converted Ireland to Christianity. ... Escaping to the European mainland, he eventually returned to Ireland as a missionary and bishop. ... Traditionally his arrival in Ireland has been dated 432 AD, but some scholars believe it was much later in the fifth century and that he completed the work begun by an earlier missionary. Ireland, situated at the western edge of Europe, was certainly inhabited as early as 6,000 BC. ... The last pre-Christian invaders were the iron-using Celts or Gaels, who reached Ireland around 600 BC. ... Fifth-century Ireland was divided into a number of small kingdoms. The more influential kings received tribute from the weaker ones, but the idea of a high king of Ireland is a later invention. ... Saint Patrick divided Ireland into dioceses, but before long abbots became more influential than bishops. ... Ireland had escaped invasion by the Roman legions, but it could not escape the Viking longboats, which menaced its coasts and rivers in the ninth century. ... The land of saints and scholars lacked military and political cohesion, and was in no condition to repel the next invaders who sailed for Ireland. ... In Ireland, a distinction is made between traditional and folk music, folk music having a wider and sometimes pejorative interpretation; it can refer to contemporary songs with guitar accompaniment, for example. ... Whether or not these tunes survive in the future will be determined by the community, in this case the other traditional musicians and their audience Schools Although children in Ireland are not obliged to attend school until the age of six, 65 per cent of four-year-olds and almost all five-year-olds, are enrolled in the infant classes in primary schools. Because primary schools in Ireland admit children from the age of four, much of what is considered pre-schooling in other countries is already incorporated in the primary school system in Ireland. ... Soda Bread - This bread is popular throughout Ireland. ... Ireland is also the home of many picturesque golf courses. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland. ... The most famous and respected competition of all is the All-Ireland Championship. ... Each province has its own final - the winner goes on to play in the All-Ireland semi-final against one of the other provincial winners. ... Stephen’s Day Transportation Ireland has various means of public transportation. ... Money Ireland has two currencies in use. The pound sterling is used in Northern Ireland with individual notes available from all the major banks acceptable. This can be confusing for the visitor as not only will you find English notes in circulation but also but also Sterling Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Northern Bank and Scottish Bank notes along with occasional Bank of Isle of Man all of which are accepted in general exchange. ... The Irish Punt is the currency of the South of Ireland. ... Generally the trend is for the punt to be slightly less stronger that the pound and accordingly retail business in the south generally "welcome" Sterling notes from Northern Ireland.