Ireland 

By: Grace DiGiacomo, Grace Dabulas, Jess Stadler, Mary O’Sullivan

Warm Up

What are some facts

about Ireland?
 Language
Native language is Irish Gaelic. 

• Taught to kids in school (required subject)

• Official language
• Ex. Irish slang: 
• Sláinte (slawn-sha) -- "Cheers" 

English is widely spoken 

• Introduced in 12th century

Religion in Ireland
• Before the adoption of
Christianity, Celtic religion had a
major influence in Ireland.

• During the resistance to British

Rule Catholicism became closely
associated with Nationalism across
the country.

Saint Patricks Cathedral in Ireland

 Division of Ireland
Northern Ireland 

• United Kingdom
• Ireland gave up control of Northern Ireland to the United
Kingdom. 

The Republic of Ireland 

• An independent country 
• In 1998, a peace agreement was signed between Great Britain,
Ireland, and Northern Ireland. 
 Irish Flag 

Green  • Represents Irish republicanism 

• Fighting for Irish independence 

• Color of peace and purity 

White  • represent a lasting truce and hope for peace between the two sides.
• every person has a part in Ireland, regardless of political stance,
religion, or ethnicity.

• "William of Orange" 

Orange  • In 1690, in the Battle of the Boyne, the Protestant King William III
defeated an army comprising primarily Irish Catholics led by the
Catholic King James II. 
 Irish Foods
• Potatoes
• Introduced in the 17th century, the Great Famine (1845-50)
• highly versatile food (roasted, creamed, mashed) 
• Meat
• Pork, ham, bacon and sausages
• Bread
• Irish soda bread

Irish Soda Bread  Shepards Pie Corn Beef and Cabbage 

Government
•  Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. The Parliament consists of the President and two
Houses
  House of Representatives &  Senate. 

• The president can serve up to 2 terms and is elected by the people. The powers of the
president come from the Constitution of Ireland.

• The government, also known as the cabinet, has more executive control rather than the
president. The president these appoints members of the government.

• The Constitution of Ireland says that all the government powers come from the people. It
outlines the citizens’ rights as well. 
 

Discuss with your partner, what are some

similarities and differences between the
United States and Ireland government.
 The Irish School System
• Made up of primary and post-primary school.
• Pre- school is offered for free, but children do not have to go to school until 6
years old.
Primary School Post- Primary education
- There are different types of post-primary
- Children enter primary school at around age 5-6 and schools which include: community and
begin in September. comprehensive schools, voluntary secondary
- They learn in 6 areas. schools, and vocational schools and
community colleges. 
- The curriculum is child-centered; everything a child
will be taught is set out. 
- Has 2 stages
- Children are supposed to study Irish while in primary 1) Junior cycle- ages 12-15
school but those who move to Ireland do not have to. 2) Senior cycle- ages 16-18
 What do you think are
beneficial aspects to the Irish
school system and what do
you think could be some
downfalls?
 Holidays

• March 17th is Saint Patrick's day

• Originally a day of religious celebration and feasts to honor Saint Patrick
• Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas are popular holidays
• The Halloween Festival originated in Ancient Ireland
Irish Step dancing video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXb7pEEcWq0
References
• https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the_irish_education_system/overview_of_the_irish_education_system.html#
:~:text=The%20Irish%20education%20system%20is,years%20of%20post%2Dprimary%20education
. 
• https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/ 
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Ireland/Government-and-society 
• https://www.educationinireland.com/en/Living-in-Ireland/Before-Arrival/Religion/ 
• https://www.ireland.com/en-us/help-and-advice/practical-information/languages-of-ireland/#:~:text=English%20and%20Irish
%20(Gaeilge)%20are,in%20the%20Republic%20of%20Ireland.&text=Northern%20Ireland%20is%20where%20you,Ullans
%20(Ulster%2DScots).&text=You'll%20find%20Gaeltacht%20(Irish,where%20Irish%20is%20widely%20spoken
. 
Learning Styles

• Visual – Pictures and videos within lesson to visually present information.

• Social – The students worked together in groups to complete the worksheet and
discuss their answers to help them fill in the answers.
• Independent - We let the students work on the worksheet individually at first to
assess their learning.
• Applied - We included the real-life pictures and the real video of step dancing to
allow students to understand the concepts.