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Chicago gets ready for St. Patrick's Day parade, river dyeing

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Irish Dancers for St Patrick´s Day - ESL worksheet by cunliffe

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Chicago St. Patrick's Day 2025: Parade, green river dyeing bring thousands downtown

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Digimindmap permet de créer des cartes heuristiques simples

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Ireland is one of the best family travel destinations in Europe whatever the age of your children and especially with hard to please tweens and teenagers. Ireland has something to appeal to everyone - outdoor activities, scenic landscape, history, culture, castles and sheep! Another plus is that Ireland is easy to manage for North American families as it's English speaking and the Irish are among the friendliest people that you'll ever meet.

My husband and I had visited Ireland on our own pre-kids but it was even better when we explored the country with our younger daughter shortly before her 13th birthday. These are our recommendations for 12 fun things to do on a trip to Ireland with teens and tweens that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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Looking for an Ireland travel guide? You might enjoy Rick Steves Ireland, Fodor's Essential Ireland, Lonely Planet Ireland's Best Trips, Planning the Ireland Vacation of Your Dreams or Frommer's Ireland.
1. Kiss the Blarney Stone

Visiting Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone is a favourite of visitors to Ireland of all ages. Legend has it that kissing the stone will give a person the gift of eloquence (aka the "gift of the gab") and, whether you gain this power or not, it's a fun opportunity for a great Instagram photo!

The Blarney Stone may be the reason for visiting Blarney Castle but be sure to walk around the beautiful gardens as well. It was raining the first time that we visited Blarney Castle so we lined up to kiss the stone and left again but on our more recent trip it was a beautiful spring day and we were able to explore the grounds as well.

After the castle visit, head next door to Blarney Woolen Mills to shop for Irish gifts - wool sweaters, Irish crystal, housewares, Celtic jewelry and other products designed by Irish makers. It's the perfect place for your teens and tweens (and you) to find an authentic souvenir of your Irish vacation.
Blarney, Cork, Ireland

2. Visit Cobh Heritage Centre

The Cobh Heritage Centre, located in a restored Victorian railway station, is an interesting place to learn more about Irish emigration particularly if your family has Irish heritage.

Cobh, formerly known as Queenstown, was a busy port village with the second largest natural harbour in the world and the departure point for 2.5 million of the 6 million Irish people who left Ireland for North America between 1848 and 1950. If you have Irish ancestry then there's a good chance that those ancestors sailed from Cobh.

Directly outside the centre there is a statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers which commemorates Irish emigration to the United States. Annie was the first emigrant to pass through Ellis Island in New York City and there is a similar statue of her there.

The centre also has interesting exhibits on both the Titanic which departed from Cobh and the Lusitania as Cobh was at the centre of rescue efforts of passengers from that ship.
Cobh, County Cork

3. Stay in an Irish Castle

Staying in a castle on a family trip to Ireland is an unforgettable and definitely Instagrammable experience! My husband and I had previously stayed at Ashford Castle and Waterford Castle so chose Dromoland Castle to stay with our tween daughter and she loved every minute of it.

Dromoland is everything that one would expect from a castle hotel and more - modern and luxurious yet traditional at the same time with antique furnishings, a grand staircase, and ancestral portraits hanging on the walls.
Read An Enchanted One Night Stay at Dromoland Castle

4. Visit Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains National Park

One of our favourite activities on our most recent Ireland family vacation was a visit to Wicklow Mountains National Park to explore Glendalough Monastic City and the park's walking trails. We were staying in County Wicklow at Powerscourt Hotel however, it's possible to visit on a day trip from Dublin as well.

Glendalough was an early Christian monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin and one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. The ruins of the settlement can be found throughout Glendalough Valley, however, the main site is the Monastic City where most of the surviving buildings are from the 10th - 12th centuries.

After exploring the monastic site, we headed out on one of the walking trails to the Upper Lake. There are 9 marked walking trails in the Glendalough Valley of Wicklow Mountains National Park which vary in length and difficulty so you can choose the one that suits you best. We visited on a gorgeous spring day in March and the views by the lake were idyllic.
County Wicklow

5. Drive the Ring of Kerry

The popular Ring of Kerry scenic drive is a must if your family will be visiting the southwest coast of Ireland. The 179 kilometre (111 mile) drive is a loop around the Inveragh Peninsula that starts and finishes in Killarney and will take an entire day to explore with stops - and you will want to stop!

Along the way you will see rugged coastline, green rolling hills, colourful towns, castles and most likely at least a few sheep on the road. If you're visiting during the busy summer months then try to get as early a start as possible to avoid getting stuck behind tour buses.
Scenic drive begins and ends in Killarney, County Kerry

6. Explore Your Family History/Ancestry

If you have a family connection to Ireland then your teens and tweens will enjoy exploring their ancestry while in Ireland. My husband had done some research prior to our most recent trip and learned that his great-great-great grandparents had lived in the small village of Inch in County Wexford. We were able to visit the church where they were married in 1843 before they emigrated to Canada in 1847. It was a really cool experience to visit the site with our daughter and make that connection to the past.

7. Visit Killarney National Park

If you're staying in Killarney to drive the Ring of Kerry then be sure to allow time to explore Killarney National Park as well. The first national park in Ireland, Killarney NP encompasses over 10,000 hectares (26,000 acres) of land that includes the highest mountain range in Ireland, woodlands, waterfalls and the famous lakes of Killarney.

Fun activities in the park include exploring the many walking and hiking trails ranging from easy walks to difficult hikes, taking a jaunting car tour to visit some of the park's scenic spots including the Gap of Dunloe and Torc Waterfall, enjoying a lake cruise, visiting Ross Castle and touring the Muckross House and Gardens.

Killarney National Park is open 7 days a week and entrance and parking is free, however there is an admission fee for Muckross House and Muckross Traditional Farms.
County Kerry

8. Visit Powerscourt Estate

We spent two nights at the luxurious and family-friendly Powerscourt Hotel but the grand estate which is one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions is worth a visit even if you are just in the area for the day.

The main attraction of the estate is Powerscourt Gardens which stretches over 47 acres and features formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues and ornamental lakes. The beautiful gardens are considered among the finest in Europe. Adjacent to the gardens, the grand Powerscourt House now houses a lovely café as well as a number of boutiques that offer the best of Irish design.

At 121 metres (398 feet) high, Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland's highest waterfall. The waterfalls are found in a lovely spot in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains approximately 6 kilometres from Powerscourt Gardens. There are several pathways to explore and this is a lovely spot for a summer picnic.
Enniskerry, County Wicklow Read Visiting Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, Ireland

9. Cliffs of Moher

The world-famous Cliffs of Moher on the rugged coast of County Clare are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland and now part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. The sheer cliffs rising out of the Atlantic Ocean to a height of over 200 metres (700 feet) and stretching for almost 14 kilometres (8 miles) along the coast are a spectacular sight.

Please stick to the official pathway where you can safely enjoy the views and take photos to capture the incredible vista as the cliffs are not stable and no Instagram selfie is worth risking your life!
County Clare

10. Trinity College Dublin and the Book of Kells

A must while in Dublin is a visit to Trinity College Dublin to see the Book of Kells and the Old Library's Long Room which is one of the world's most beautiful libraries. The Book of Kells is a manuscript handcrafted by monks over 100 years ago and is one of the world's finest examples of medieval art. The Long Room has been a working library since 1732 and is home to 250,000 of the library's oldest books.
Online booking with a specific entry time is currently required and a free audio tour is available.
Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin.

11. Walking Tour of Dublin

My favourite way to experience Dublin or any other European city is on foot and it's even better on a walking tour with a local guide who can share their expertise about the city's attractions, people, history, and popular culture.

You can choose a tour that will give you a general overview of the city such as the Original Dublin Walking Tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems available through Viator or tours tailored to specific interests such as a 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour, Food on Foot Tour, Dublin Street Art Walking Tour, or Oscar Wilde Walking Tour.

If you would like to go farther afield than is possible on a walking tour then a Hop On, Hop Off sightseeing tour such as Big Bus Tours Dublin ( 10% off online and one kid 5-15 is free with each adult Classic or Premium tickets) is a good option particularly to see some of the sites outside of the city centre.

12. Enjoy Some Irish Music or Dance

A fun thing to do on your family trip to Ireland is enjoy some of the traditional music and step dancing (as in Riverdance) that is an important part of Irish culture. The most authentic place for traditional music would be an Irish pub but there are also music and dance performances that may be touristy but still fun.

Check out Do Dublin's list of Dublin's Best Irish Dancing Shows . We went to Celtic Nights at the Arlington Hotel on our last night in Dublin for an enjoyable evening with dinner, talented Irish step dancers and traditional music.

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12 Fun Things To Do in Ireland with Teens and Tweens - Gone With The Family

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12 fun things to do on a trip to Ireland with teens and tweens that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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Video top 10 tourist destinations in Ireland worksheet

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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The Legend of the Giant's causeway worksheet

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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34 Fun Facts About Belfast, Northern Ireland worksheet

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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St. Patrick's Day | Bet You Didn't Know ...

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Randon Bénédicte - Académie d'Aix Marseille

Discover St Patrick's Day

Basic Dark templatePresentation

Basic guide to create an awesome presentation

Complete your worksheet and do the activities to find the secret code!

Today, it is a very special day for Irish people! Do the activities in the correct order and discover information about Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day.

Your task

Go to the next page, read the text and complete your worksheet

Step 1: Discover Ireland

Location: Ireland is an island off western Europe in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Capital of the Republic of Ireland: Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. Population: There are 5 million inhabitants in Ireland.Flag: The flag of Ireland has got three rectangles. They are orange, white and green. Climate: In Ireland, the weather is cool and cloudy.

Discover Ireland

Dublin Zoo is a very popular attraction of the Irish capital city. In the video, how many giraffes can you see? It is the first number of your secret code, be attentive!

On the map, click on the capital city of The Republic of Ireland and watch the video.

Go to the next page, listen to the recording then do the activities.

Step 2: What is Saint Patrick's day?

Click on the hat, listen to the recording and do the activities on your worksheet.

Oral comprehension activity

Click on the shamrock and do the activity.

Challenge!

How many letters are there in the name of their favourite beer? This is your second number for the secret code.

Click on the pint and watch the video to see what the parade in Dublin is like.

Saint Patrick's Day parades

Click on the Leprechaun and watch the video.

Step 3:The legend of the Leprechaun

The legend of the Leprechaun

Be attentive!The third number of the secret code is in the end of the interactive activities.

Click on the pot of gold and do the activity, then, complete your worksheet.

The legend of the Leprechaun

How many questions are there in the super challenge? That is the fourth number of your secret code.

Be a champion and play the game. Are you ready?Then... Click on the dancing Leprechaun!

Super challenge!

Compose the secret code and find the Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Compose the secret code and find the Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Compose the secret code and find the Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Compose the secret code and find the Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Your secret code is incorrect. Try again!

Good job! You have found the pot of gold! Congratulations!

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Randon Bénédicte - Académie d'Aix Marseille Discover St Patrick's Day Basic Dark templatePresentation Basic guide to create an awesome presentation Complete your worksheet and do the activities to find the secret code! Today, it is a very special day for Irish people! Do the activities in the correct order and discover information about Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day.

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Celebrating Ireland on St Patrick's Day #stpatricksday #ireland

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Visiting Ireland with teens is a fantastic idea, whether you have older teens or younger children. If it's their first time in Europe, the lack of a language barrier makes it easy to find new friends. The distinctive Irish culture, lush green national parks, fascinating historic sites, and traditional Irish music will make any family trip to the Emerald Isle a truly unique experience.

Whether you're planning a weeks-long road trip for the whole family or a short city break, this guide covers all the top attractions and destinations ideal for young people. It's split by area so you can find Ireland teen travel inspiration for the parts of the country you're visiting!

Best Places to Explore in Ireland with Teens

East Coast of Ireland With Teens

The East Coast is home to the capital of Ireland and its many attractions as well as a beautiful national park. It's a great place to visit if you don't have a lot of time to spend in Ireland with teens.

Teenagers will love listening to live music in pubs. They don't have to be 18 years old (the drinking age in Ireland). Many licensed pubs (including the famous Temple Bar pub) will admit accompanied children until 9 pm.

Grafton Street in Dublin is teeming with buskers all day, every day. These street performers really put on a show so it's great fun to walk up and down the road.

Visiting the Trinity College Library and seeing the Book of Kells, one of the oldest books in the world, and the phenomenal Long Room (which looks like a library from Harry Potter) is also a fun experience.

Take a walking tour through Kilmainham Gaol , a former Georgian jail turned visitors center.

Just an hour's drive south of Dublin is one of Ireland's six national parks - the Wicklow Mountains. It's famous for dense forests, hiking and cycling paths, and beautiful lakes like the magical Glendalough.

The 5.9-mile Glendalough Loop is one of the best hiking trails in Ireland with teens. You can find it in Wicklow Mountains National Park. It's a moderately challenging long walk and offers incredible views of this spectacular landscape.

Blessington Greenway is a gorgeous 3.5-mile cycling route around the Blessington Lakes if you're short on time or would prefer to hire bikes.

West Coast of Ireland With Teens

Ireland's West Coast is famous for the Wild Atlantic Way. This coastal route stretches 1,553 miles from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal through County Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, and County Kerry in the south. Visit during the summer months so you have access to the ferries heading to nearby islands.

One of the best places to visit in Ireland with teens and older children is the Cliffs of Moher. This rocky coastline stretches for nine miles along the Atlantic Ocean. There are incredible views of the Aran Islands and the 702 ft tall cliffs at their highest point.

Check out the Cliffs of Moher Experience if your kids will find the geology and science behind the cliffs interesting. Hike the eight-mile Cliffs of Moher Walk from Doolin to Hag's Head (and take the bus back) if they love adventure.

Your teens may know Galway City best for Ed Sheeran's hit song 'Galway Girl' which in recent years has caused this already lively city to boom with visitors.

Its Latin Quarter is crammed with centuries-old pubs with colorful facades (including O'Connell's Bar, The Salt House, and The Quays which appear in the 'Galway Girl' music video). Like in Dublin, teenagers under 18 years old can enter many pubs until 9 pm.

Jewelry shops line Quay Street, which is where you can buy Galway's famous Claddaugh rings if you want to treat your teenagers. Claddaugh jewelry has the symbol of a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and two hands for friendship.

Teens may also be interested in visiting Galway Cathedral, a new church only built in 1965 with a mosaic of JFK.

While Connemara National Park is one of the smaller Irish national parks, there is one very good reason to visit. Many Irish teenagers and children attend a sleepaway outdoor activity center (similar to American summer camps) during their summer holidays from school and so can your kids!

Delphi Adventure Centre Resort is based in Connemara National Park where kids aged ten to 17 can attend five or seven-day camps. Teens can take part in a huge range of group activities like rock climbing and zip-lining as well as water activities like rock climbing and swimming. They also offer family adventure breaks so parents can get involved too.

If you'd rather explore the park independently, you can! Hike up Diamond Hill for views of the Twelve Bens (the highest peaks in Connemara) and visit Kylemore Abbey. This Gothic mansion is still home to an order of nuns after 100 years and they have the most beautiful gardens on the banks of Pollacapall Lough.

One of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland, the Skellig Islands off the coast of County Kerry are the best experience you can have in Ireland if your teens are Star Wars fans. The largest of the two Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael, was one of the main filming locations in The Last Jedi!

They're also important for being the location of one of the first early Christian monasteries, as well as being a thriving puffin nesting site. Visit via ferry between April and July to spot the cute birds with multicolored beaks.

Some highlights that your teens might enjoy visiting on this great trip around the Ring of Kerry are Sneem, Waterville, and Kenmare. Kenmare Stone Circle, in particular, is pretty cool as it's one of the largest stone circles in the area, measuring 56 x 49 ft and dating back to the Bronze Age.

You could also veer slightly south of the Ring of Kerry route to visit the lush Bonane Valley. Here, you can check out Bonane Heritage Park which is a private preserve and one of the most important archeological sites in the country with a lot of old forts and stone circles.

The other scenic route in Ireland is Slea Head Drive, a 24-mile scenic drive around the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. But you have to drive to the bottom of the Dingle Peninsula to reach this beautiful route, so you might as well explore other highlights along the way!

Stop by the port town of Dingle for fish and chips, the 16th-century ruined Minard Castle (totally free!), and spectacular Inch Beach that juts 5 km out of the coastline. At the tip of the peninsula, you can visit the Tóchar Maothaithe beehive huts where early Christian monks used to live.

All of these attractions are just a short walk from the scenic route, so you can visit them all.

South of Ireland With Teens

County Cork is Ireland's largest county, but Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Limerick have a lot of attractions to offer teenagers too. It's a good place to visit with castles and museums open year-round with lively cities and picturesque towns.

No family road trip around Ireland is complete without visiting the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's most important sites that you may not have heard about! It is a rocky limestone outcrop in County Tipperary with a cluster of medieval churches and other religious sites at the top.

It's supposedly the site where St. Patrick, Ireland's famous patron saint, converted the King of Munster to Christianity in the 5th century. Must-visit buildings include Hore Abbey, the Round Tower, Cashel Folk Village, Cormac's Chapel, and the cemetery.

Kinsale is a small, colorful port town that marks the southernmost point of the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route. As well as being a picturesque seaside town, your teens will enjoy visiting two of the town's best attractions: James Fort and Charles Fort.

Both forts were built in the 17th century on the River Bandon to protect the region. If your teens enjoy the beauty of Kinsale and you have extra time, head over to Cobh for more vivid streets.

Drive through the stunning Blackwater Valley en route to Blarney Castle in County Cork. While this 15th-century ruined castle might not look like much from the outside, it has a famous legend.

Everyone who kisses the Blarney Stone receives the 'gift of the gab' as Irish people would say. This magical stone is supposed to make you more eloquent when you kiss it!

One of the best things about taking part in this ritual is that you have to lean back and hold on to two metal poles to reach the specific stone. Almost impossible with young kids, but a funny and unique way to spend an afternoon in Ireland with teens.

This land is now a family-owned farm where you can watch sheepdog demonstrations. The Church of St. Nicholas was restored in 2012 after centuries of neglect so it's an impressive site.

Northern Ireland With Teens

Northern Ireland boasts some of the most spectacular coastal landscapes on the whole island. If traveling to Ireland with teens is becoming pricey, swapping Dublin for Belfast is a great way to cut down costs.

Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway cannot be missed on any road trip of Ireland with teens. This area of the Causeway coastline consists of basalt columns in interlocking geometric shapes. It seems impossible that it was created by nature. You can walk over the columns and take incredible photos!

The myth is that two feuding giants, one in Ireland and the other in Scotland, built a causeway so they could fight. This patch of coastline is what remains of the bridge. It is free to visit although there is a visitors center where you can learn more about the science and magic behind this beautiful landform.

First built in the 18th century by salmon fisherman, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge connects mainland Northern Ireland with a small island. It's a 66 ft-long rope bridge suspended almost 100 ft above the rocky cliffs and sea below.

While smaller kids might not get a kick out of the dizzying heights and precarious wooden panels, your teens will! There are long lines during the summer months so book your tickets ahead.

This experience walks you through the history of Belfast in 1912, the people who made and designed the ship, and absolutely anything else to know about it. The state-of-the-art attraction includes a fun ride, scale models, and even artifacts found on the ship like deck chairs and violins. There's nowhere better to learn more about the ship and your teens will love it!

Check Out These Incredible Things To Do in Ireland With Teens

Most of the things to do in Ireland with teens will appeal to the whole family. Young adults are usually seeking the coolest attractions or the most adrenaline-inducing activities. Ireland offers a ton of different experiences.

Younger teens (and tweens) will love Ireland's medieval castles and interactive museums like Dublin Castle and EPIC. Whereas older teens might love the pubs of Galway and the cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way. Hopefully, this list has given you a lot of places and experiences to add to your next family holiday trip to the Emerald Isle!

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17 Fabulous Things to Do in Ireland with Teens

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If you are looking for a destination that is sure to impress, head to the Emerald Isle. Here are the best things to do in Ireland with teens.

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St Patricks Day Flashmob in Sydney by Tourism Ireland

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Chicago River Dyeing Green - St. Patrick's Day Celebration | 4K Time Lapse

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La St Patrick approche...

Voici de quoi découvrir cette tradition tout en s'amusant...

POUR TOUT SAVOIR SUR L'IRLANDE ET LA ST PATRICK, C'EST ICI!!

Escape game sur l'Irlande et la St Patrick:

L'Histoire de la St Patrick's

Voici un village en République d'Irlande TRES difficile à prononcer!

Relevez vous le défi?!

Une petite chanson pour mieux comprendre comment prononcer des prénoms irlandais.....

Des Recettes spéciales St Patrick:

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La St Patrick approche... Voici de quoi découvrir cette tradition tout en s'amusant... The Celts settled on the island.,Saint Patrick spread Christianity.,Norman vikings, whoinvaded England,invaded Ireland. Ireland became an English territory.,Protestantismbecame...

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Bloody Sunday 1972: The day's events explained

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Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live From Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA / 1983 / Remastered 2021)

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Destination Ireland | National Geographic

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speakeasy-news.com-St Patricks Day on the Web

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The first evidence of human presence in Ireland dates to around 33,000 years ago; further findings have been found dating to around 10,500 to 8,000 BC. The receding of the ice after the Younger Dryas cold phase of the Quaternary around 9700 BC, heralds the beginning of Prehistoric Ireland, which includes the archaeological periods known as the Mesolithic, the Neolithic from about 4000 BC and the Copper Age beginning around 2500 BC with the arrival of the Beaker Culture. The Irish Bronze Age proper begins around 2000 BC and ends with the arrival of the Iron Age of the Celtic Hallstatt culture, beginning about 600 BC. The subsequent La Tène culture brought new styles and practices by 300 BC.

Greek and Roman writers give some information about Ireland during the Classical period (see " protohistoric" period), by which time the island may be termed " Gaelic Ireland". By the late 4th century AD Christianity had begun to gradually subsume or replace the earlier Celtic polytheism. By the end of the 6th century it had introduced writing along with a predominantly monastic Celtic Christian church, profoundly altering Irish society. Viking raids and settlement from the late 8th century AD resulted in extensive cultural interchange, as well as innovation in military and transport technology. Many of Ireland's towns were founded at this time as Viking trading posts and coinage made its first appearance. Viking penetration was limited and concentrated along coasts and rivers, and ceased to be a major threat to Gaelic culture after the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. The Norman invasion in 1169 resulted again in a partial conquest of the island and marked the beginning of more than 800 years of English political and military involvement in Ireland. Initially successful, Norman gains were rolled back over succeeding centuries as a Gaelic resurgence reestablished Gaelic cultural preeminence over most of the country, apart from the walled towns and the area around Dublin known as The Pale.

Reduced to the control of small pockets, the English Crown did not make another attempt to conquer the island until after the end of the Wars of the Roses (1488). This released resources and manpower for overseas expansion, beginning in the early 16th century. However, the nature of Ireland's decentralised political organisation into small territories (known as túatha), martial traditions, difficult terrain and climate and lack of urban infrastructure, meant that attempts to assert Crown authority were slow and expensive. Attempts to impose the new Protestant faith were also successfully resisted by both the Gaelic and Norman-Irish. The new policy fomented the rebellion of the Hiberno-Norman Earl of Kildare Silken Thomas in 1534, keen to defend his traditional autonomy and Catholicism, and marked the beginning of the prolonged Tudor conquest of Ireland lasting from 1534 to 1603. Henry VIII proclaimed himself King of Ireland in 1541 to facilitate the project. Ireland became a potential battleground in the wars between Catholic Counter-Reformation and Protestant Reformation Europe.

During the 17th century, this division between a Protestant landholding minority and a dispossessed Catholic majority was intensified and conflict between them was to become a recurrent theme in Irish history. Domination of Ireland by the Protestant Ascendancy was reinforced after two periods of religious war, the Irish Confederate Wars in 1641-52 and the Williamite war in 1689-91. Political power thereafter rested almost exclusively in the hands of a minority Protestant Ascendancy, while Catholics and members of dissenting Protestant denominations suffered severe political and economic privations under the Penal Laws.

On 1 January 1801, in the wake of the republican United Irishmen Rebellion, the Irish Parliament was abolished and Ireland became part of a new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland formed by the Acts of Union 1800. Catholics were not granted full rights until Catholic Emancipation in 1829, achieved by Daniel O'Connell. The catastrophe of the Great Famine struck Ireland in 1845 resulting in over a million deaths from starvation and disease and a million refugees fleeing the country, mainly to America. Irish attempts to break away continued with Parnell's Irish Parliamentary Party which strove from the 1880s to attain Home Rule through the parliamentary constitutional movement, eventually winning the Home Rule Act 1914, although this Act was suspended at the outbreak of World War I.

In 1916 the Easter Rising succeeded in turning public opinion against the British establishment after the execution of the leaders by British authorities. It also eclipsed the home rule movement. In 1922, after the Irish War of Independence most of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom to become the independent Irish Free State but under the Anglo-Irish Treaty the six northeastern counties, known as Northern Ireland, remained within the United Kingdom, creating the partition of Ireland. The treaty was opposed by many; their opposition led to the outbreak of the Irish Civil War, in which Irish Free State, or "pro-treaty", forces proved victorious. The history of Northern Ireland has since been dominated by the division of society along sectarian faultlines and conflict between (mainly Catholic) Irish nationalists and (mainly Protestant) British unionists. These divisions erupted into the Troubles in the late 1960s, after civil rights marches were met with opposition by authorities. The violence escalated after the deployment of the British Army to maintain authority led to clashes with nationalist communities. The violence continued for 28 years until an uneasy, but largely successful peace was finally achieved with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Prehistory (10,500 BC-400 AD)

Stone Age to Bronze Age

What is known of pre-Christian Ireland comes from references in Roman writings, Irish poetry and myth, and archaeology. While some possible Paleolithic tools have been found, none of the finds are convincing of Paleolithic settlement in Ireland. However a bear bone found in Alice and Gwendoline Cave, County Clare, in 1903 may push back dates for the earliest human settlement of Ireland to 10,500 BC. The bone shows clear signs of cut marks with stone tools, and has been radiocarbon dated to 12,500 years ago.

The earliest confirmed inhabitants of Ireland were Mesolithic hunter-gatherers who arrived some time after 8000 BCE, when the climate had become more hospitable following the retreat of the polar icecaps (although remains thought to be from before 9000 BCE have been found at Kilgreany Cave in Munster). While some authors take the view that a land bridge connecting Ireland to Great Britain still existed at that time, more recent studies indicate that Ireland was separated from Britain by c. 14,000 BC, when the climate was still cold and local ice caps persisted in parts of the country. The people remained hunter-gatherers until about 6000 BCE. It is argued this is when the world's first signs of complex agriculture started to show with the discovery of the Céide Fields in Connacht, leading to the establishment of a high Neolithic culture, characterised by the appearance of pottery, polished stone tools, rectangular wooden houses and communal megalithic tombs. Some of these tombs, as at Knowth and Dowth, are huge stone monuments and many of them, such as the Passage Tombs of Newgrange, are astronomically aligned. Four main types of Irish Megalithic Tombs have been identified: dolmens, court cairns, passage tombs and wedge-shaped gallery graves. In Leinster and Munster, individual adult males were buried in small stone structures, called cists, under earthen mounds and were accompanied by distinctive decorated pottery. This culture apparently prospered, and the island became more densely populated. Near the end of the Neolithic new types of monuments developed, such as circular embanked enclosures and timber, stone and post and pit circles.

The Bronze Age, which came to Ireland around 2000 BC, saw the production of elaborate gold and bronze ornaments, weapons and tools. There was a movement away from the construction of communal megalithic tombs to the burial of the dead in small stone cists or simple pits, which could be situated in cemeteries or in circular earth or stone built burial mounds known respectively as barrows and cairns. As the period progressed, inhumation burial gave way to cremation and by the Middle Bronze Age, remains were often placed beneath large burial urns.

The Iron Age in Ireland began about 600 BC. The period between the start of the Iron Age and the historic period (431 AD) saw the gradual infiltration of small groups of Celtic-speaking people into Ireland, with items of the continental Celtic La Tene style being found in at least the northern part of the island by about 300 BC. The result of a gradual blending of Celtic and indigenous cultures would result in the emergence of Gaelic culture by the fifth century. It is also during the fifth century that the main over-kingdoms of In Tuisceart, Airgialla, Ulaid, Mide, Laigin, Mumhain, Cóiced Ol nEchmacht began to emerge (see Kingdoms of ancient Ireland). Within these kingdoms a rich culture flourished. The society of these kingdoms was dominated by an upper class consisting of aristocratic warriors and learned people, which possibly included Druids.

The hypothesis that the native Late Bronze Age inhabitants gradually absorbed Celtic influences has since been supported by some recent genetic research.

The Romans referred to Ireland as Hibernia. Ptolemy, in 100 AD, recorded Ireland's geography and tribes. Ireland was never a part of the Roman Empire, but Roman influence was often projected well beyond its borders. Tacitus writes that an exiled Irish prince was with Agricola in Roman Britain and would return to seize power in Ireland. Juvenal tells us that Roman "arms had been taken beyond the shores of Ireland". In recent years, some experts have hypothesized that Roman-sponsored Gaelic forces (or perhaps even Roman regulars) mounted some kind of invasion around 100 AD, but the exact relationship between Rome and the dynasties and peoples of Hibernia remains unclear.

Irish confederations (the Scoti) attacked and some settled in Britain during the Great Conspiracy of 367. In particular, the Dál Riata settled in western Scotland and the Western Isles.

Early Christian Ireland (400-800)

The middle centuries of the first millennium AD marked great changes in Ireland. Politically, what appears to have been a prehistoric emphasis on tribal affiliation had been replaced by the 8th century by patrilineal dynasties ruling the island's kingdoms. Many formerly powerful kingdoms and peoples disappeared. Irish pirates struck all over the coast of western Britain in the same way that the Vikings would later attack Ireland. Some of these founded entirely new kingdoms in Pictland and, to a lesser degree, in parts of Cornwall, Wales, and Cumbria. The Attacotti of south Leinster may even have served in the Roman military in the mid-to-late 300s.

Perhaps it was some of the latter returning home as rich mercenaries, merchants, or slaves stolen from Britain or Gaul, that first brought the Christian faith to Ireland. Some early sources claim that there were missionaries active in southern Ireland long before St. Patrick. Whatever the route, and there were probably many, this new faith was to have the most profound effect on the Irish.

Tradition maintains that in A.D. 432, St. Patrick arrived on the island and, in the years that followed, worked to convert the Irish to Christianity. St Patrick's Confession, in Latin, written by him is the earliest Irish historical document. It gives some information about the Saint. On the other hand, according to Prosper of Aquitaine, a contemporary chronicler, Palladius was sent to Ireland by the Pope in 431 as "first Bishop to the Irish believing in Christ", which demonstrates that there were already Christians living in Ireland. Palladius seems to have worked purely as Bishop to Irish Christians in the Leinster and Meath kingdoms, while Patrick - who may have arrived as late as 461 - worked first and foremost as a missionary to the pagan Irish, in the more remote kingdoms in Ulster and Connacht.

Patrick is traditionally credited with preserving and codifying Irish laws and changing only those that conflicted with Christian practices. He is credited with introducing the Roman alphabet, which enabled Irish monks to preserve parts of the extensive oral literature. The historicity of these claims remains the subject of debate and there is no direct evidence linking Patrick with any of these accomplishments. The myth of Patrick, as scholars refer to it, was developed in the centuries after his death.

Irish scholars excelled in the study of Latin learning and Christian theology in the monasteries that flourished shortly thereafter. Missionaries from Ireland to England and Continental Europe spread news of the flowering of learning, and scholars from other nations came to Irish monasteries. The excellence and isolation of these monasteries helped preserve Latin learning during the Early Middle Ages. The period of Insular art, mainly in the fields of illuminated manuscripts, metalworking, and sculpture flourished and produced such treasures as the Book of Kells, the Ardagh Chalice, and the many carved stone crosses that dot the island. Insular style was to be a crucial ingredient in the formation of the Romanesque and Gothic styles throughout Western Europe. Sites dating to this period include clochans, ringforts and promontory forts.

The first English involvement in Ireland took place in this period. Tullylease, Rath Melsigi and Maigh Eo na Saxain were founded by 670 for English students who wished to study or live in Ireland. In summer 684, an English expeditionary force sent by Northumbrian King Ecgfrith raided Brega.

Early medieval and Viking era (800-1166)

The first recorded Viking raid in Irish history occurred in 795 AD when Vikings from Norway looted the island. Early Viking raids were generally fast-paced and small in scale. These early raids interrupted the golden age of Christian Irish culture and marked the beginning of two centuries of intermittent warfare, with waves of Viking raiders plundering monasteries and towns throughout Ireland. Most of those early raiders came from western Norway.

The Vikings were expert sailors, who travelled in longships, and by the early 840s AD, had begun to establish settlements along the Irish coasts and to spend the winter months there. Vikings founded settlements in several places; most famously in Dublin. Written accounts from this time (early to mid 840s) show that the Vikings were moving further inland to attack (often using rivers) and then retreating to their coastal headquarters.

In 852 AD the Vikings landed in Dublin Bay and established a fortress. After several generations a group of mixed Irish and Norse ethnic background arose, the Gall-Gaels, '( Gall being the Old Irish word for foreign).

In 902 AD the Vikings were pushed out of Ireland by the Irish king Muirecán. They were allowed by the Saxons to settle in Wirral, England, but would however later return to retake Dublin. However, the Vikings never achieved total domination of Ireland, often fighting for and against various Irish kings. The Battle of Clontarf in 1014 began the decline of Viking power in Ireland but the towns which Vikings had founded continued to flourish, and trade became an important part of the Irish economy.

Norman Ireland (1168-1535)

Arrival of the Normans

With the authority of the papal bull Laudabiliter from Adrian IV, Henry landed with a large fleet at Waterford in 1171, becoming the first King of England to set foot on Irish soil. Henry awarded his Irish territories to his younger son John with the title Dominus Hiberniae ("Lord of Ireland"). When John unexpectedly succeeded his brother as King John of England, the "Lordship of Ireland" fell directly under the English Crown.

Lordship of Ireland

The Normans initially controlled the entire east coast, from Waterford to eastern Ulster, and penetrated a considerable distance inland as well. The counties were ruled by many smaller kings. The first Lord of Ireland was King John, who visited Ireland in 1185 and 1210 and helped consolidate the Norman-controlled areas, while ensuring that the many Irish kings swore fealty to him.

Throughout the thirteenth century the policy of the English Kings was to weaken the power of the Norman Lords in Ireland. For example, King John encouraged Hugh de Lacy to destabilise and then overthrow the Lord of Ulster, before naming him as the first Earl of Ulster. The Hiberno-Norman community suffered from a series of invasions that ceased the spread of their settlement and power. Politics and events in Gaelic Ireland served to draw the settlers deeper into the orbit of the Irish.

Gaelic resurgence and Norman decline

By 1261 the weakening of the Normans had become manifest when Fineen MacCarthy defeated a Norman army at the Battle of Callann. The war continued between the different lords and earls for about 100 years, causing much destruction, especially around Dublin. In this chaotic situation, local Irish lords won back large amounts of land that their families had lost since the conquest and held them after the war was over.

The Black Death arrived in Ireland in 1348. Because most of the English and Norman inhabitants of Ireland lived in towns and villages, the plague hit them far harder than it did the native Irish, who lived in more dispersed rural settlements. After it had passed, Gaelic Irish language and customs came to dominate the country again. The English-controlled territory shrank to a fortified area around Dublin (the Pale), and had little real authority outside (beyond the Pale).

Early modern Ireland (1536-1691)

Conquest and rebellion

From the mid-16th to the early 17th century, crown governments carried out a policy of land confiscation and colonisation known as Plantations. Scottish and English Protestant colonists were sent to the provinces of Munster, Ulster and the counties of Laois and Offaly. These Protestant settlers replaced the Irish Catholic landowners who were removed from their lands. These settlers formed the ruling class of future British appointed administrations in Ireland. Several Penal Laws, aimed at Catholics, Baptists and Presbyterians, were introduced to encourage conversion to the established ( Anglican) Church of Ireland.

Wars and penal laws

The 17th century was perhaps the bloodiest in Ireland's history. Two periods of war (1641-53 and 1689-91) caused huge loss of life. The ultimate dispossession of most of the Irish Catholic landowning class was engineered, and recusants were subordinated under the Penal Laws.

During the 17th century Ireland was convulsed by eleven years of warfare, beginning with the Rebellion of 1641, when Irish Catholics rebelled against the domination of English and Protestant settlers. The Catholic gentry briefly ruled the country as Confederate Ireland (1642-1649) against the background of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms until Oliver Cromwell reconquered Ireland in 1649-1653 on behalf of the English Commonwealth. Cromwell's conquest was the most brutal phase of the war. By its close, up to a third of Ireland's pre-war population was dead or in exile. As retribution for the rebellion of 1641, the better-quality remaining lands owned by Irish Catholics were confiscated and given to British settlers commenced. Several hundred remaining native landowners were transplanted to Connacht.

Forced labor

Protestant ascendancy (1691-1801)

The majority of the people of Ireland were Catholic peasants; they were very poor and largely inert politically during the eighteenth century, as many of their leaders converted to Protestantism to avoid severe economic and political penalties. Nevertheless, there was a growing Catholic cultural awakening underway. There were two Protestant groups. The Presbyterians in Ulster in the North lived in much better economic conditions, but had virtually no political power. Power was held by a small group of Anglo-Irish families, who were loyal to the Anglican Church of Ireland. They owned the great bulk of the farmland, where the work was done by the Catholic peasants. Many of these families lived in England and were absentee landlords, whose loyalty was basically to England. The Anglo-Irish who lived in Ireland became increasingly identified as Irish nationalists, and were resentful of the English control of their island. Their spokesmen, such as Jonathan Swift and Edmund Burke, sought more local control.

Jacobite resistance in Ireland was finally ended after the Battle of Aughrim in July 1691. The Penal Laws that had been relaxed somewhat after the Restoration were reinforced more thoroughly after this war, as the infant Anglo-Irish Ascendency wanted to ensure that the Irish Roman Catholics would not be in a position to repeat their rebellions. Power was held by the 5% who were Protestants belonging to the Church of Ireland. They controlled all major sectors of the Irish economy, the bulk of the farmland, the legal system, local government and held strong majorities in both houses of the Irish Parliament. They strongly distrusted the Presbyterians in Ulster, and were convinced that the Catholics should have minimal rights. They did not have full political control because the government in London had superior authority and treated Ireland like a backward colony. When the American colonies revolted in the 1770s, the Ascendency wrested multiple concessions to strengthen its power. They did not seek independence because they knew they were heavily outnumbered and ultimately depended upon the British Army to guarantee their security.

Subsequent Irish antagonism toward England was aggravated by the economic situation of Ireland in the 18th century. Some absentee landlords managed their estates inefficiently, and food tended to be produced for export rather than for domestic consumption. Two very cold winters near the end of the Little Ice Age led directly to a famine between 1740 and 1741, which killed about 400,000 people and caused over 150,000 Irish to leave the island. In addition, Irish exports were reduced by the Navigation Acts from the 1660s, which placed tariffs on Irish products entering England, but exempted English goods from tariffs on entering Ireland. Despite this most of the 18th century was relatively peaceful in comparison with the preceding two centuries, and the population doubled to over four million.

Presbyterians and Dissenters too faced persecution on a lesser scale, and in 1791 a group of dissident Protestant individuals, all of whom but two were Presbyterians, held the first meeting of what would become the Society of the United Irishmen. Originally they sought to reform the Irish Parliament which was controlled by those belonging to the state church; seek Catholic Emancipation; and help remove religion from politics. When their ideals seemed unattainable they became more determined to use force to overthrow British rule and found a non-sectarian republic. Their activity culminated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which was bloodily suppressed.

Ireland was a separate kingdom ruled by King George III of Britain; he set policy for Ireland through his appointment of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or viceroy. In practice, the viceroys lived in England and the affairs in the island were largely controlled by an elite group of Irish Protestants known as "undertakers." The system changed in 1767, with the appointment of An English politician who became a very strong Viceroy. George Townshend served 1767-72 and was in residence in The Castle in Dublin. Townsend had the strong support of both the King and the British cabinet in London, and all major decisions were basically made in London. The Ascendancy complained, and obtained a series of new laws in the 1780s that made the Irish Parliament effective and independent of the British Parliament, although still under the supervision of the king and his Privy Council.

Largely in response to the 1798 rebellion, Irish self-government was ended altogether by the provisions of the Acts of Union 1800 (which abolished the Irish Parliament of that era).

Union with Great Britain (1801-1912)

In 1800, following the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the British and the Irish parliaments enacted the Acts of Union. The merger created a new political entity called United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland with effect from 1 January 1801. Part of the agreement forming the basis of union was that the Test Act would be repealed to remove any remaining discrimination against Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists and other dissenter religions in the newly United Kingdom. However, King George III, invoking the provisions of the Act of Settlement 1701 controversially and adamantly blocked attempts by Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Pitt resigned in protest, but his successor Henry Addington and his new cabinet failed to legislate to repeal or change the Test Act.

The second of Ireland's "Great Famines", An Gorta Mór struck the country during 1845-49, with potato blight, exacerbated by the political factors of the time leading to mass starvation and emigration. (See Great Irish Famine) The impact of emigration in Ireland was severe; the population dropped from over 8 million before the Famine to 4.4 million in 1911. Gaelic or Irish, once the island's spoken language, declined in use sharply in the nineteenth century as a result of the Famine and the creation of the National School education system, as well as hostility to the language from leading Irish politicians of the time; it was largely replaced by English.

Outside mainstream nationalism, a series of violent rebellions by Irish republicans took place in 1803, under Robert Emmet; in 1848 a rebellion by the Young Irelanders, most prominent among them, Thomas Francis Meagher; and in 1867, another insurrection by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. All failed, but physical force nationalism remained an undercurrent in the nineteenth century.

The late 19th century witnessed major land reform, spearheaded by the Land League under Michael Davitt demanding what became known as the 3 Fs; Fair rent, free sale, fixity of tenure. Parliament passed laws in 1870, 1881, 1903 and 1909 that enabled most tenant farmers to purchase their lands, and lowered the rents of the others. From 1870 and as a result of the Land War agitations and subsequent Plan of Campaign of the 1880s, various British governments introduced a series of Irish Land Acts. William O'Brien played a leading role in the 1902 Land Conference to pave the way for the most advanced social legislation in Ireland since the Union, the Wyndham Land Purchase Act of 1903. This Act set the conditions for the break-up of large estates and gradually devolved to rural landholders, and tenants' ownership of the lands. It effectively ended the era of the absentee landlord, finally resolving the Irish Land Question.

After the introduction of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 which broke the power of the landlord-dominated "Grand Juries", passing for the first time democratic control of local affairs into the hands of the people through elected Local County Councils, the debate over full Home Rule led to tensions between Irish nationalists and Irish unionists (those who favoured maintenance of the Union). Most of the island was predominantly nationalist, Catholic and agrarian. The northeast, however, was predominantly unionist, Protestant and industrialised. Unionists feared a loss of political power and economic wealth in a predominantly rural, nationalist, Catholic home-rule state. Nationalists believed they would remain economically and politically second-class citizens without self-government. Out of this division, two opposing sectarian movements evolved, the Protestant Orange Order and the Catholic Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Home Rule, Easter Rising and War of Independence (1912-1922)

Home Rule became certain when in 1910 the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) under John Redmond held the balance of power in Commons and the third Home Rule Bill was introduced in 1912. Unionist resistance was immediate with the formation of the Ulster Volunteers. In turn the Irish Volunteers were established to oppose them and enforce the introduction of self-government.

The period 1916-1921 was marked by political violence and upheaval, ending in the partition of Ireland and independence for 26 of its 32 counties. A failed militant attempt was made to gain separate independence for Ireland with the 1916 Easter Rising, an insurrection in Dublin. Though support for the insurgents was small, the violence used in its suppression led to a swing in support of the rebels. In addition, the unprecedented threat of Irishmen being conscripted to the British Army in 1918 (for service on the Western Front as a result of the German Spring Offensive) accelerated this change. ( See: Conscription Crisis of 1918). In the December 1918 elections Sinn Féin, the party of the rebels, won three-quarters of all seats in Ireland, twenty-seven MPs of which assembled in Dublin on 21 January 1919 to form a 32-county Irish Republic Parliament, the first Dáil Éireann unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the entire island.

Unwilling to negotiate any understanding with Britain short of complete independence, the Irish Republican Army, the army of the newly declared Irish Republic, waged a guerilla war (the Irish War of Independence) from 1919 to 1921. In the course of the fighting and amid much acrimony, the Fourth Government of Ireland Act 1920 implemented Home Rule while separating the island into what the British government's Act termed " Northern Ireland" and "Southern Ireland". In July 1921 the Irish and British governments agreed to a truce that halted the war. In December 1921 representatives of both governments signed an Anglo-Irish Treaty. The Irish delegation was led by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. This abolished the Irish Republic and created the Irish Free State, a self-governing Dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations in the manner of Canada and Australia. Under the Treaty, Northern Ireland could opt out of the Free State and stay within the United Kingdom: it promptly did so. In 1922 both parliaments ratified the Treaty, formalising independence for the 26-county Irish Free State (which renamed itself Ireland in 1937, and declared itself a republic in 1949); while the 6-county Northern Ireland, gaining Home Rule for itself, remained part of the United Kingdom. For most of the next 75 years, each territory was strongly aligned to either Catholic or Protestant ideologies, although this was more marked in the six counties of Northern Ireland.

Free State and Republic (1922-present)

The treaty to sever the Union divided the republican movement into anti-Treaty (who wanted to fight on until an Irish Republic was achieved) and pro-Treaty supporters (who accepted the Free State as a first step towards full independence and unity). Between 1922 and 1923 both sides fought the bloody Irish Civil War. The new Irish Free State government defeated the anti-Treaty remnant of the Irish Republican Army, imposing multiple executions. This division among nationalists still colours Irish politics today, specifically between the two leading Irish political parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The new Irish Free State (1922-37) existed against the backdrop of the growth of dictatorships in mainland Europe and a major world economic downturn in 1929. In contrast with many contemporary European states it remained a democracy. Testament to this came when the losing faction in the Irish civil war, Éamon de Valera's Fianna Fáil, was able to take power peacefully by winning the 1932 general election. Nevertheless, until the mid-1930s, considerable parts of Irish society saw the Free State through the prism of the civil war, as a repressive, British-imposed state. It was only the peaceful change of government in 1932 that signalled the final acceptance of the Free State on their part. In contrast to many other states in the period, the Free State remained financially solvent as a result of low government expenditure, despite the Economic War with Britain. However, unemployment and emigration were high. The population declined to a low of 2.7 million recorded in the 1961 census.

With the partition of Ireland in 1922, 92.6% of the Free State's population were Catholic while 7.4% were Protestant. By the 1960s the Protestant population had fallen by half. Although emigration was high among all the population, due to a lack of economic opportunity, the rate of Protestant emigration was disproportionate in this period. Many Protestants left the country in the early 1920s, either because they felt unwelcome in a predominantly Catholic and nationalist state, because they were afraid due to the burning of Protestant homes (particularly of the old landed class) by republicans during the civil war, because they regarded themselves as British and did not wish to live in an independent Irish state, or because of the economic disruption caused by the recent violence. The Catholic Church had also issued a decree, known as Ne Temere, whereby the children of marriages between Catholics and Protestants had to be brought up as Catholics. From 1945, the emigration rate of Protestants fell and they became less likely to emigrate than Catholics.

In 1937 a new Constitution re-established the state as Ireland (or in Irish). The state remained neutral throughout World War II (see Irish neutrality), which saved it from much of the horrors of the war, although tens of thousands volunteered to serve in the British forces. Ireland was also impacted by food rationing, and coal shortages; peat production became a priority during this time. Though nominally neutral, recent studies have suggested a far greater level of involvement by the South with the Allies than was realised, with D Day's date set on the basis of secret weather information on Atlantic storms supplied by Ireland. For more detail on 1939-45, see main article The Emergency.

In 1949 the state was formally declared a republic and it left the British Commonwealth.

Ireland's new found prosperity ended abruptly in 2008 when the banking system collapsed due to the Irish property bubble bursting. Some 25-26% of GDP was needed to bail out failing Irish banks and force banking sector consolidation. This was the largest banking bailout for any country in history, in comparison only 7-8% of GDP was needed to bail out failing Finnish banks in its banking crisis in the 1990s. This resulted in a major financial and political crisis as Ireland entered a recession. Emigration rose to 1989 levels as the unemployment rate rose from 4.2% in 2007 to reach 14.6% as of February 2012.

However, since 2014, Ireland has seen strong economic growth, dubbed as the " Celtic Phoenix".

Northern Ireland (1921-present)

"A Protestant state" (1921-1972)

The 1920 Government of Ireland Bill created the state of Northern Ireland, which consisted of the six northeastern counties of Londonderry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Antrim, Down and Armagh. From 1921 to 1972, Northern Ireland was governed by a Unionist government, based at Stormont in east Belfast. Unionist leader and first Prime Minister, James Craig, declared that it would be "a Protestant State for a Protestant People". Craig's goal was to form and preserve Protestant authority in the new state which was above all an effort to secure a unionist majority. In 1926 the majority of the population in the province were Presbyterian and Anglican therefore solidifying Craig's Protestant political power. The Ulster Unionist Party thereafter formed every government until 1972. Discrimination against the minority nationalist community in jobs and housing, and their total exclusion from political power due to the majoritarian electoral system, led to the emergence of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association in the late 1960s, inspired by Martin Luther King's civil rights movement in the United States of America. The military forces of the Northern Protestants and Northern Catholics (IRA) turned to brutal acts of violence to establish power. As time went on it became clear that these two rival states would bring about a civil war. After the Second World War, keeping the cohesion within Stormont seemed impossible; increased economic pressures, solidified Catholic unity, and British involvement ultimately led to Stormont's collapse. As the civil rights movement of the United States gained worldwide acknowledgement, Catholics rallied together to achieve a similar socio-political recognition. This resulted in the formation of various organisations such as the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) in 1967 and the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ) in 1964. Non-violent protest became an increasingly important factor in mobilising Catholic sympathies and opinion and thus more effective in generating support than actively violent groups such as the IRA. However, these non-violent protests posed a problem to Northern Ireland's prime minister Terrance O'Neil (1963) because it hampered his efforts to persuade Catholics in Northern Ireland that they too, like their Protestant counterparts, belong within the United Kingdom. Despite O'Neil's reforming efforts there was growing discontent amongst both Catholics and Unionists. In October 1968 a peaceful civil rights march in Derry turned violent as police brutally beat protesters. The outbreak was televised by international media, and as a result the march was highly publicised which further confirmed the socio-political turmoil in Ireland. A violent counter-reaction from conservative unionists led to civil disorder, notably the Battle of the Bogside and the Northern Ireland riots of August 1969. To restore order, British troops were deployed to the streets of Northern Ireland at that time.

Direct rule (1972-1999)

For the next 27½ years, with the exception of five months in 1974, Northern Ireland was under "direct rule" with a Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the British Cabinet responsible for the departments of the Northern Ireland government. Direct Rule was designed to be a temporary solution until Northern Ireland was capable of governing itself again. Principal acts were passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in the same way as for much of the rest of the UK, but many smaller measures were dealt with by Order in Council with minimal parliamentary scrutiny. Attempts were made to establish a power-sharing executive, representing both the nationalist and unionist communities, by the Northern Ireland Constitution Act of 1973 and the Sunningdale Agreement in December 1973. Both acts however did little to create cohesion between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Constitution Act of 1973 formalised the UK government's affirmation of reunification of Ireland by consent only; therefore ultimately delegating the authoritative power of the border question from Stormont to the people of Northern Ireland (and the Republic of Ireland). Conversely, the Sunningdale Agreement included a "provision of a Council of Ireland which held the right to execute executive and harmonizing functions". Most significantly, the Sunningdale Agreement brought together political leaders from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK to deliberate for the first time since 1925. The Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention and Jim Prior's 1982 assembly were also temporarily implemented; however all failed to either reach consensus or operate in the longer term.

Devolution and direct rule (1999-present)

Modern Ireland

Ireland's economy became more diverse and sophisticated than ever before by integrating itself into the global economy. By the beginning of the 1990s Ireland had transformed itself into a modern industrial economy and generated substantial national income that benefited the entire nation. Although dependence on agriculture still remained high, Ireland's industrial economy produced sophisticated goods that rivalled international competition. Ireland's international economic boom of the 1990s led to its being called a Celtic Tiger.

The Catholic Church, which once exercised great power, found its influence on socio-political issues in Ireland much reduced. Irish bishops were no longer able to advise and influence the public on how to exercise their political rights. Modern Ireland's detachment of the Church from ordinary life can be explained by the increasing disinterest in Church doctrine by younger generations and the questionable morality of the Church's representatives. Many in the Irish public began to question the credibility and effectiveness of the Catholic Church. In 2011 Ireland closed its embassy at the Vatican, an apparent result of this growing trend.

Flags in Ireland

The national flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange. This flag, which bears the colours green for Roman Catholics, orange for Protestants, and white for the desired peace between them, dates to mid-19th century.

The tricolour was first unfurled in public by Young Irelander Thomas Francis Meagher who, using the symbolism of the flag, explained his vision as follows: "The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the "Orange" and the "Green," and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood". Fellow nationalist John Mitchel said of it: "I hope to see that flag one day waving as our national banner."

In 1937 when the Constitution of Ireland was introduced, the tricolour was formally confirmed as the national flag: "The national flag is the tricolour of green, white and orange." While the tricolour today is the official flag of Ireland, it is not an official flag in Northern Ireland although it is sometimes used unofficially.

The only official flag representing Northern Ireland is the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland however its use is controversial. The Ulster Banner is sometimes used unofficially as a de facto regional flag for Northern Ireland.

Since Partition, there has been no universally-accepted flag to represent the entire island. As a provisional solution for certain sports fixtures, the Flag of the Four Provinces enjoys a certain amount of general acceptance and popularity.

Historically a number of flags have been used, including:

Saint Patrick's Flag (St Patrick's Saltire, St Patrick's Cross) which represented Ireland on the Union Flag after the Act of Union;

a green flag with a harp (used by most nationalists in the 19th century and which is also the flag of Leinster);

a blue flag with a harp used from the 18th century onwards by many nationalists (now the standard of the President of Ireland);

the Irish tricolour.

St Patrick's Saltire was formerly used to represent the island of Ireland by the all-island Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), before adoption of the four-provinces flag. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) uses the tricolour to represent the whole island.

Historiography

Ireland has a very large historiography, contributed by scholars in Ireland. North America and Britain. There has been both a standard interpretation and, since the late 1930s, a good deal of revisionism. One of the most important themes has always been Irish nationalism-what Alfred Markey, calls:

the received nationalist tale replete with heroes, villains and a host of stock elements, has a long history and has exercised a particularly important influence on the development of Irish identity.

Nationalism has led to numerous monographs and debates.

A great deal of attention has focused on the Irish revolutionary period, 1912-23. Starting in 2012 a series of conferences on "Reflecting on a decade of War and Revolution in Ireland 1912-1923: Historians and Public History" brought together hundreds of academics, teachers, and the general public.

Relations with Britain

Ireland in some ways was the first acquisition of the British Empire. Marshall says historians continue to debate whether Ireland should be considered part of the British Empire. Recent work by historians pays special attention to continuing Imperial aspects of Irish history, Atlantic history, and the role of migration in forming the Irish diaspora across the Empire and North America.

Recent approaches

As historiography evolves, new approaches have been applied to the Irish situation. Studies of women, and gender relationships more generally, had been rare before 1990; they now are commonplace with over 3000 books and articles. Postcolonialism is an approach in several academic disciplines that seeks to analyze, explain, and respond to the cultural legacies of colonialism and imperialism. The emphasis is usually on the human consequences of controlling a country and establishing settlers for the economic exploitation of the native people and their land.

Images for kids

A 16th century perception of Irish women and girls, illustrated in the manuscript "Théâtre de tous les peuples et nations de la terre avec leurs habits et ornemens divers, tant anciens que modernes, diligemment depeints au naturel". Painted by Lucas d'Heere in the 2nd half of the 16th century. Preserved in the Ghent University Library.

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The first evidence of human presence in Ireland dates to around 33,000 years ago; further findings have been found dating to around 10,500 to 8,000 BC.

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Ireland is a great place to go on vacation with your kids. Choosing a 10-day itinerary gives you enough time to see the highlights without spending half of your trip driving or rushing. This guide will show you exactly how to spend 10 days in Ireland with kids including bucket-list destinations like the capital city of Dublin, the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, and the epic Ring of Kerry drive.

If it's your first time in Europe with kids, know that there won't be a language barrier but the culture will still be new and exciting. For a small country, the Emerald Isle packs in a lot. There are historical sites, ancient castles, charming small villages, fun hikes over rolling green hills, and pubs playing traditional Irish music that are also kid-friendly (during the day!).

Since many of the top things to do in Ireland are in remote areas, the best way to visit the country is to skip public transportation and venture on a classic Irish road trip.

10-Day Ireland Itinerary

The best place to begin your 10 days in Ireland is Dublin. It's the capital city and has the most well-connected international airports in the country, so it's a natural starting point.

There are also tons of things to do in Dublin for kids and . Shannon Airport on the west coast is another busy international airport but this 10-day Ireland itinerary starts in Dublin with a two-night stay.

How much you will be able to see and do on your first day in Dublin will depend on what time you arrive and your energy levels with jet lag. It's a good idea to not pack too much into your 10-day Ireland itinerary, too quickly!

Start by walking around the city and checking out easy-to-visit sites like bridges, neighborhoods, churches, and notable streets.

St. Stephen's Green: Visit this historic square with statues dedicated to famous Irish writers where you can walk around and feed the ducks

Merrion Square: Another cute, small park surrounded by streets of gorgeous Georgian houses with brightly-painted doors

River Liffey and Ha'Penny Bridge: This river runs through the heart of Dublin and the Ha'Penny Bridge is a 19th-century cast iron bridge and the most beautiful in the city

Temple Bar Neighborhood: Despite being under the legal drinking age of 18, kids can visit the famous Temple Bar pub during the day! It's located in a historic quarter named after the legendary 19th-century pub with cobblestone streets and lots of cool street art murals, markets, and the former Irish Houses of Parliament

Grafton Street: Walk up and down Grafton Street where you'll find dozens of young, talented buskers hoping to be recognized by talent scouts or to make a euro or two

On your next day in Dublin, check out all the top museums and exhibits you didn't catch on your first day.

One of the main reasons it's better to follow a guide on how to spend 10 days in Ireland with kids is because a lot of the activities (seriously, a lot) revolve around alcohol. Yes, some of the Irish whisky distillery tours allow kids but there are so many other, better experiences for them. Take your kids to the Jameson Distillery on Bow St if you like, but keep those types of activities to a minimum.

Dublin Castle: Take a tour of the city's most important fortification which dates back to 1204 and houses two museums and staterooms

If you have extra time, you could also visit Kilmainham Gaol and/or the Little Museum of Dublin. Kilmainham Gaol is a former jail on the outskirts of the city. It's a really good place to visit with kids but it takes a little bit of time to get there which will eat up your limited time. It's also close to Phoenix Park if your kids just need time to run around.

The Little Museum of Dublin is a kid-friendly alternative to the National Museum of Ireland.

The first thing to do before leaving Dublin is to pick up a rental car! You don't need a car to get around Dublin. Parking is expensive (and difficult to find) and the traffic can be a nightmare too. Most things to do in Dublin are within walking distance anyway.

Find a rental company with an office in Dublin city center and Dublin airport so you don't have to go back into the city before heading home. Download an offline map of Ireland onto Google Maps (in case of a bad signal in remote places!), and use this app to plan your route and stops.

Driving from Dublin to Cork is around 260 km/161.5 miles and takes approximately two hours and 45 minutes if you drive down the M7 and M8. There are plenty of things to do along the way to Cork so you can take your time and make lots of stops. Or, drive the whole way and have more time to explore Ireland's second city, Cork. Spend one night here.

Kildare: One of the smaller towns on the drive to Cork with a population of around 10,000, Kildare is home to an important Celtic Christian cathedral. St. Brigid is said to have founded a nunnery on the site of this 13th-century cathedral which has a striking tower in the center

Rock of Cashel: No matter which route you take from Dublin, the Rock of Cashel is one of the best places to visit in Ireland. It's an extremely important historical site with a cluster of medieval churches on a limestone outcrop. It's said to be the site where St. Patrick converted the King of Munster to Christianity in the 5th century. You can visit Hore Abbey, a 13th-century Cistercian monastery, as well as Cormac's Chapel and the round tower

The English Market: This traditional 18th-century covered market sells fresh produce, antiques, and local souvenirs to take home

Cork City Gaol: If you didn't have much time in Dublin and couldn't visit Kilmainham Gaol, visit Cork City Gaol instead. This restored 19th-century prison will fascinate your kids

Kinsale: This seaside town in County Cork treats you to the views of the Atlantic and a colorful city center. Take the Scilly Walk to explore the Charles Fort, a 17th-century military fortress

Cobh: If you have time, drive to the seaside town of Cobh, just a 30-minute drive south of Cork on the coast. Cobh is one of the most colorful small towns in Ireland and is known as the Titanic's last port of call before sailing into the Atlantic

Fota Wildlife Park: This 28-hectare zoo keeps over 100 species of endangered animals from giraffes, ostriches, leopards, and more

Some other cool things to do in Cork with kids include Blackrock Castle Observatory and walking the walls of the Elizabeth Fort.

Continue your Ireland road trip itinerary by driving from Cork to Killarney in County Kerry. This is the main town in Killarney National Park and it's on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive.

This is Ireland's first national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve for good reason; it's absolutely beautiful! Spend three nights with Killarney as your home base as there is plenty to explore in the local area.

The drive from Cork to Killarney is only 87.4 km/53 miles and takes just over one hour. You can make stops along the way if you like, but there is so much to do in Killarney National Park that you'll want to get there as fast as possible!

Muckross House and Abbey: Muckross House is a stunning 19th-century country house surrounded by picturesque flowerbeds with a backdrop of mountains. Queen Victoria visited Kerry in 1861 and she stayed at Muckross House during her visit. Visit Muckrock House by walking along the Lakeside Loop hiking trail, one of the most scenic trails in the park and perfect for kids

Ross Castle and Lough Leane: Covering around one-quarter of the entire national park, visiting Lough Leane is a must. This picturesque lake is home to lots of small islands, some of them with ancient buildings like Ross Castle and Innisfallen Abbey. The castle fortress was once owned by Irish chieftains and you can take guided tours of the Castle when you arrive. Take a guided tour of the lake with Killarney Kayaking so you can visit the abbey and have fun sailing around Lough Leane. Win-win!

Torc Waterfall: There are several beautiful waterfalls in County Kerry, but the best is Torc. It measures 20 meters high and is located in an easy-to-reach woodland area, close to a parking lot

St. Mary's Cathedral: Located in Killarney, check out St. Mary's Cathedral. It's a relatively new cathedral (by Ireland's standards!) as it was only completed in 1855

Some other things you could do are drive along The Gap of Dunloe mountain pass (for confident drivers only!) or take a Jaunting Car Ride Tour through the park.

This is the mid-point of how to spend 10 days in Ireland with kids and driving the Ring of Kerry will be a highlight. It's a popular, scenic road trip around the Iveragh Peninsula. You can begin and end the route in Killarney. It's around 179 km/111 miles in total and takes around three and a half hours to drive without stopping.

But, of course, you're going to make lots of stops! Aside from all the spontaneous stops you'll make when you see a gorgeous vista, here are some suggestions in an anti-clockwise direction from Killarney.

Staigue Stone Fort: This ancient stronghold dates back to the Iron Age, somewhere between 300 and 400 AD. It's likely to have been built for an Irish lord or king and ruins of what would have been an imposing, defensive structill remain

Kerry Cliffs: Standing 1,000 ft above the sea, this rocky coastline has the best views of the Skellig Islands (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and potentially puffins. The best time of year to bird spot and take the ferry to the Skellig islands is during the summer months when the Atlantic is calmer

Ballycarbery Castle: Although this 16th-century castle has fallen to ruin, it's completely free to visit and is a great spot to look out over the coastline from the top of this grassy hill

Glenbeigh Fairy Forest: Road-tripping with younger kids? Head to Glenbeigh Fairy Forest, a woodland area where you can see fairy houses!

Rossbeigh Beach Horse Riding Center: Road-tripping with older kids? Head to Rossbeigh Beach instead where a guide will take you and your kids out on a horse riding trip over soft sands

Kerry Bog Village Museum: While it doesn't sound like an appealing place to visit, Kerry Bog Village is an open-air museum complete with replicas of traditional 19th-century thatched cottages so your kids can explore the houses to see what life was like in that era

There is yet another incredible scenic peninsula in County Kerry that makes for a great day trip from Killarney. Driving around the entire coastline and back to Killarney might be a little much for one day (it takes a long time to drive down those country lanes!) but there are many things to do. Here are some suggestions.

Slea Head Drive: Focus your day exploring the tip of the Dingle Peninsula along the Slea Head Drive. This is a 38 km/24-mile circular route starting and ending in Dingle and is the most scenic part of the area

Gallarus Oratory: It might not look like it, but the Gallurus Oratory is one of the best-preserved early Christian churches in Ireland. It was built around the 7th century and it's free to visit

Inch Beach: This is such an epic, wide beach that practically has its own peninsula. It's 5 km long and great for watching surfers and people fishing

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium: This is one of the best places to visit for younger kids. It has a hallway surrounded by a tank of fish and there are even sharks, penguins, and a 'touch' pool so kids can safely interact with some of the sea life living at the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Tralee: Although Killarney is more popular with visitors, Tralee is the main town in County Kerry. Visit the Kerry County Museum or watch a show at the National Folk Theater of Ireland

Galway is one of the best cities to watch live music in Ireland and it's also the gateway city to some of the most natural beautiful parts of the country. No wonder it's a favorite place for visitors! Use it as a home base for three nights so you can explore this part of the West Coast.

Driving from Killarney to Galway is 216 km/134 miles which is around two hours and 30 minutes.

Lough Gur: Take a short detour to walk along the banks of Lough Gur. There are so many historical sites near this scenic lake including a castle, a fort, a stone circle, and ancient tombs

Limerick: As the main city in County Limerick, you'll pass right through Limerick before reaching Galway and there is so much to do here! Visit the Old Town where you'll find St. John and St. Mary's Cathedral, and don't leave without visiting the medieval King John's Castle

Galway City Museum: You'll find this local history museum on the banks of the River Corrib next to a historical structure called Spanish Arch. At the Galway City Museum, you and your kids will learn all about Galway's shipping heritage as well as exhibits on music and everyday life in Galway through the ages

Latin Quarter: This lively, colorful, cobblestone street is the heart of Galway and you can't miss it! It's lined with brightly painted pubs and stores selling Claddagh jewelry. You'll see jewelry all over Ireland with the same motif: two hands symbolizing friendship, a crown for loyalty, and a heart for love. If you want to treat your daughter to a special gift during your travels in Ireland, a beautiful Claddagh necklace or ring would be the perfect choice!

Galway Cathedral: Since it only opened in 1965, Galway Cathedral might just be the youngest in Ireland! It's still an impressive Renaissance-style church and even has a mosaic of JFK. Although unconfirmed, it's believed that the Kennedy family funded the completion of the church which was incomplete during JFK's visit to the church years earlier

Live Music Pubs: Irish law states that parents can accompany their children under 15 years old in a pub between the hours of 10:30 am and 9 pm. This extends to 10 pm from May to September. Head to Galway pubs with early Irish music 'sessions' like Taaffes Bar and Tig Chóilí

On the last full day of your 10-day Ireland itinerary, explore another scenic national park in the Republic of Ireland. Connemara National Park is only an 81.3 km/50-mile drive from Galway which will take around 90 minutes to drive. It covers 7,000 hectares of hills, woodland, grassy heaths, and bogs so it's the perfect place to go hiking and enjoy pristine nature with your family.

Connemara National Park Visitor Center: Housed in a renovated farm building, the visitor center has lots of displays about the history of the national park. There's also a cafe where you can warm up after your adventures in the park

Kylemore Abbey & Walled Garden: This picturesque Benedictine monastery sits on the banks of Pollacapall Lough and is a real gem of the area and you cannot miss it. Built to be a castle in 1868, nuns took over this building in the 1920s and they still run it today. While you can't explore every nook and cranny of Kylemore Abbey, much of it is open to the public (as well as the church) and you can join free tours of the Victorian walled garden too

Lower Diamond Hill Hike: Diamond Hill is a 1,450 ft/422 m-tall hill in Connemara National Park and the 3 km Lower Diamond Hill hike is perfect for kids. You could hike halfway up the hike and decide whether or not you'd like to continue up the Upper Diamond Hill trail to reach the summit for the epic views

Ashford Castle: Take a detour over the border of County Mayo and visit Ashford Castle on your way back from the national park. This 13th-century castle is now a five-star luxury hotel where the likes of King George V, John Lennon, and President Ronald Reagan have stayed. If you want a unique , this would be the place to do it. Families can also explore the extensive grounds and sail on the lake with

You no longer have to figure out how to spend 10 days in Ireland with kids because it's the end of your trip! The drive from Galway to Dublin is 207 km/128.6 miles and takes approximately two hours and 15 minutes, so set off within good time to drop off your car and make it to the airport.

If you returning to Dublin on Day 10 but have an early flight on Day 11, make the most of the last full day of your Ireland vacation. Make some stops en route to Dublin from Galway (spoiler alert: all of the best stops are castles). Or, head to places in Dublin that you didn't get the chance to on your first visit to Ireland's capital.

Birr Castle and Gardens: There has been a castle on this site since the 11th century and this land was ruled by the O'Carroll family between the 14th and 17th centuries. Today, there is so much to see on the land including beautiful gardens, Ireland's largest treehouse, and of course the castle itself

Athlone Castle: Sitting on the banks of the River Shannon, Athlone Castle dates back to the 12th century. Athlone is one of the largest places to stop between Galway and Dublin so there are also lots of restaurants, shops, and beautiful churches

Trim Castle: Another 12th-century castle, this one is for movie fans! Although set in Scotland, much of Braveheart (1995) was shot in Ireland. Trim Castle features in many scenes so it's cool to visit in real life if you and your kids love the movie

Follow This Guide on How To Spend 10 Days in Ireland With Kids

Many Ireland itineraries rush around the country too fast or include too many adult-only activities. This guide on how to spend 10 days in Ireland with kids doesn't involve lots of driving, packing up, and moving to different places. This is much more manageable, especially when driving on the left side of the road is a challenge in itself!

It also includes lots of suggestions for each place so you can pick and choose depending on the age and interests of your kids to ensure you have a great time on your epic Ireland vacation. It is a perfect place to visit as a family and to open up your kids' eyes to the ancient history and natural beauty of the Emerald Isle.

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How to Spend 10 Days in Ireland with Kids

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Planning a visit to the Emerald Isle? Use this guide to plan the perfect itinerary for 10 days in Ireland with kids.

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Find Free Things to Do in Dublin with Visit Dublin

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Exploring Dublin on a budget is easy with these free things to do in the city. Learn more from Visit Dublin now.

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Kids learn about the history and timeline of the country of Ireland including early kings, Celtics, Viking invasions, British rule, North and South, the IRA, and current events.

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Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Visit National Geographic Kids today!

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1Learn to speak Irish
Dingle is Ireland's largest Gaeltacht town where many speak Irish as their first language. Meet locals in the pub or shops and learn the 'cúpla focal' (a couple of words) to take home. If you'd like to go a step further, spend an enjoyable hour or two with a native speaker at the Díseart Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture.

Food lovers flock to Dingle for its Food Festival which takes usually place on the first weekend in October every year. The town comes alive with both visitors and locals as they get to sample foods that they wouldn't normally get to try.

Highlights of this foodie's delight include cookery demonstrations, over 50 market stalls, wine tastings, workshops and a food trail. This is but one of the many festivals that are held in this busy town, which also hosts the Dingle Literary Festival, Féile na Bealtaine and the Dingle Maritime Festival.

Enjoy a boat trip when in picturesque Dingle, the holiday town was home to Fungie the dolphin for 30 years. Book in for a harbour cruise with Dingle Dolphin Tours and spot the local landmarks, sea birds and incredible views of Valentia Island and Carrauntoohill, Ireland's highest mountain.

For more adventures on the water, go stand up paddleboarding with Wild SUP or discover Dingle Boat Tours and take a thrilling RIB boat trip to explore hidden coves and spectacular islands.

Experience a horse ride that starts in the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula and rises to a panorama stretching as far as the Skelligs. Finish your excursion with an exhilarating gallop across the shoreline. This unforgettable experience with Dingle Horse Riding is sure to get the heart thumping.

Visit Dingle Distillery in County Kerry

Take a well-deserved sup and a break during your stay on the Wild Atlantic Way with a visit to Dingle Whiskey Distillery. The first purpose-built distillery for a new whiskey in Ireland in over 200 years, its produce is not only delicious but award-winning too. World-class whiskey, vodka and gin can be bought here and if you have time to spare, take one of their tours and learn all about the process behind creating these tantalising drinks.

Take in the breathtaking view of The Blasket Islands

Just off the Dingle Peninsula, the Blasket Islands are at the very edge of Europe. Rich in both history and folklore, these now deserted islands were home to legendary Irish storytellers like Peig Sayers and Tomás Ó Criomhthain. Explore The Blasket Visitor Centre at Dunquin to get a feel for how people once lived, before you head across the water to discover the Great Blasket Island.

Enjoy the wildlife of  Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium where you can come face-to-face with sharks, penguins and exotic fish. At the Touch Tank, visitors can stroke friendly rays and even hold a starfish. Kids and adults will both enjoy this experience as you learn about the wonders of the sea.

8Climb to new heights or take a dive
Take out your walking boots and head to nearby Dunshean Head. Climb up on the headland to see the crashing waves and looming sea stacks below. Or if diving is your thing, book in with Waterworld, Ireland's largest diving and leisure centre. Dive underwater, snorkel and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery off of the wild Atlantic shores.

Experience the 'tide to table' ethos first-hand at Dingle Cookery School. Lasting over three hours, they combine theory with a very hands-on workshop. Using local ingredients like fish and shellfish from the Atlantic, whiskey from the Dingle Whiskey Distillery, as well as lamb, eggs and cheeses, you will create a delicious meal from the land and sea.

Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor to Dingle, it's easy to be captivated by the wealth of musical talent in this lively fishing town. Head to An Chonair Bar whose owners are musicians themselves, O'Flaherty's for its regular music sessions or McCarthy's Bar, the oldest family-run pub in the town.

These are just 10 of Dingle's many stunning sights and delights, why not discover more  yourself? Delightful Dingle is just one of the spectacular spots in County Kerry, have a look at our Kerry destination page for more picturesque places to visit in this charming county.

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10 Things To Do in Dingle with Discover Ireland

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1Learn to speak Irish Dingle is Ireland's largest Gaeltacht town where many speak Irish as their first language. Meet locals in the pub or shops and learn the 'cúpla focal' (a couple of words) to take home.

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Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is famous for its green countryside. Throughout much of its history, Ireland fought against rule by other countries. Most of the island...

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The People's Republic

Visit Cork and you'll find a true blend of old and new. Contemporary art in historic buildings, chic cocktails in the Victorian Quarter and people of all ages revelling in the atmosphere.

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Plan your holiday in County Cork Explore map

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Escape to the rugged Cork coastline and after, enjoy an exciting break in a city packed with culture and craic.

Visit remote islands, walk down stunning beaches in Cork and watch surfers catch waves as whales swim in the distance.

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Discover the Rebel County

Visit charming towns and villages, soak up spectacular scenery and feast on the finest food around. Cork takes your breath away, every single time.

See the raw beauty of the Irish coastline

Have Cork to yourself as you explore these coastal hidden gems.

Guides to Cork

From the epic scenery of West Cork to the electric atmosphere of Cork City, get to know Cork and plan your break with our expert-written guides.

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Go on an adventure in County Cork to wildlife parks and see some of the world's most endangered animals before spotting secret coves and hidden beaches from Ireland's only cable car.

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What's on in Cork

Home to some of the best venues in Ireland, Cork has a habit of attracting the finest musicians in the world to its thrilling towns and spirited city. Find folk songs, jazz beats and bluegrass tunes floating through t ...

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Food and drink in Cork

Long known for its amazing food, Cork has been serving up fresh local produce and incredible meals for decades. The passion for food and cooking has found its way to every town in the county.

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Explore the Vibrant City and Towns of County Cork

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The People's Republic Visit Cork and you'll find a true blend of old and new. Contemporary art in historic buildings, chic cocktails in the Victorian Quarter and people of all ages revelling in the atmosphere. Experience the cha ... Keep reading Plan your holiday in County Cork Explore map What will you do first?

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Visit Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk with Discover Ireland

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Plan your visit to Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. Don’t miss all the great things to see and do in Co. Clare on your short break.

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Blarney Castle and Gardens, home of the famous Blarney Stone, is a great place for a day out in Cork.

Incredible gardens surround Blarney Castle, built in 1446 by the King of Munster. Explore themed gardens like the tropical Fern Garden and the Poison Garden with its deadly and dangerous plants from around the world, including the caged specimens of deadly nightshade, wolfsbane and poison ivy. Don't forget to visit the Rock Close where you'll find an ancient druidic settlement and witch's kitchen.

Relax after your rambles in the Blarney Castle stable yard and café or browse the Court Exhibition Rooms and the souvenir shops.

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Visit Blarney Castle and Gardens with Discover Ireland

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Blarney Castle and Gardens, home of the famous Blarney Stone, is a great place for a day out in Cork. Incredible gardens surround Blarney Castle, built in 1446 by the King of Munster. Explore themed gardens like the tropical Fern Garden and the Poison Garden with its deadly and dangerous plants from around the world, including the caged specimens of deadly nightshade, wolfsbane and poison ivy.

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Visit Rock of Cashel with Discover Ireland

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Plan your visit to Rock of Cashel. Don’t miss all the great things to see and do in Co. Tipperary on your short break.

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Wide open spaces, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, Connemara is one of Ireland’s most stunning spots. Book your trip now.

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My Favorite Place in Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway

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One usually gets to the Giant’s Causeway by way of Bushmills. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a distillery in the village that makes that great Irish whiskey. But you don’t need spirits to bring the Causeway to life. It does that fine, all by itself. As I would soon discover, this bit of primordial geo…

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Giant’s Causeway : Revenez sur la légende des Géants d’Irlande - Francais Dublin

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Vous ne savez pas quoi faire ce weekend ? Vous etes en vacances et vous ne savez pas quoi visiter ? J’ai la solution !!!! Welcome in Giant’s Causeway !!!! La chaussée des Géants est un petit paradis sur terre ! Il a été déclaré site du patrimoine mondial par l’UNESCO en 1986, et réserve…Continuer →