The Potato Famine in Ireland goes by many names. Sometimes known as the Potato Famine, the Great Famine, or the Great Hunger, it left a legacy in Ireland that is still felt here on the island today. Did you know that the Irish population still hasn’t recovered to pre-famine levels? The current population residing on … Read more
If you’re planning on visiting us here on the Emerald Isle anytime soon, you might catch sight of more “red heads” or “gingers” than usual… But is it a lazy stereotype? Or are there actually more Irish red heads than you’d expect to find elsewhere? Well, according to World Population Review, approximately 10% of our … Read more
Every country has a national symbol and Ireland is no different. National symbols are everywhere, and you’ll realise this with the Irish symbol as well. What starts hundreds or thousands of years before, eventually becomes intertwined with the everyday culture around us. Let’s take a look at the history and meaning behind Irelands national symbol. … Read more
If you’ve ever visited us here in Ireland or you’re planning to visit and done some research about where you’d like to go, you’ll have undoubtedly noticed that we have what feels like hundreds of towns and villages beginning with ‘Bally’. If you’re curious as to what and why, we’re going to delve deeper into … Read more
Scots-Irish are a group of Irish people with Scottish ancestry. Considering the proximity between the two nations, and the British Isles in general, it’s no surprise that through a myriad of reasons, both Scottish and Irish people eventually blended together to forma sub-group of Scots-Irish people which blended aspects of the Irish and Scottish cultures … Read more
Since its launch and eventual sinking in 1912, the Titanic has captured the imagination of men, women and children on both sides of the Atlantic for over a century. Built in Belfast and famed for its size, this feat of early 20th century engineering would eventually contribute to its demise. The Titanic was 883ft and … Read more
“Coffin ships” were a common type of ship that the Irish would use to emigrate to America, Canada and other nations around the world during the 19th century. They were nicknamed “Coffin ships” as they were overcrowded, lacking in basic amenities, hotspots for terrible hygiene, and as a result rife with disease and death. Below … Read more
The rugged landscape of Ireland, blanketed in lush green fields, banked by battered cliffs and dotted with castles and ruins, might feel like something from a made-up fairytale, but it’s actually a reality. Obviously the modern 21st century Ireland we now live in also has bustling cities, motorway links and all the normal amenities you’d … Read more
Over 20,000 years ago, in Southern France, early humans drew massive deer on cave walls. They were as tall as an average door frame; these giant deer would have been captivating (especially the males with their vast antlers’ width of up to three and a half meters). Eight thousand years ago is the last recorded … Read more
