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Ireland (Irish: Éire; Ulster Scots: Airlann) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth largest island in the world. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland, separated by the Irish Sea, is the island of Great Britain. Politically, the Republic of Ireland (also known simply as Ireland) covers five sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, covering the remainder in the northeast.
The population of the island is slightly under six million (2006/7), with almost 4.25 million in the Republic of Ireland (1.7 million in Greater Dublin) and an estimated 1.75 million in Northern Ireland (0.6 million in Greater Belfast). This is a significant increase from a modern historical low in the 1960s, but still much lower than the peak population of over 8 million in the early 19th century, prior to the Great Famine.
The name Ireland derives from the name Ériu (in modern Irish, Éire) with the addition of the Germanic word land. Most other Western European names for Ireland, such as French Irlande, Spanish and Italian Irlanda, and German Irland, derive from the same source. Read more ...
The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but their music is a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, they dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. They reformed in 2000, and continue to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
The early Waterboys sound was dubbed "The Big Music" after a song on their second album, A Pagan Place. This musical style was described by Scott as "a metaphor for seeing God's signature in the world." It either influenced or was used to describe a number of other bands, including Simple Minds, The Alarm, In Tua Nua, Big Country, the Hothouse Flowers and World Party, the last of which was made up of former Waterboys members. In the late 1980s the band became significantly more folk influenced. The Waterboys eventually returned to rock and roll, and have released both rock and folk albums since reforming. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality. Both the group and its members' solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics, but The Waterboys as a band has never received the commercial success that some of its members have had independently. Read more...
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Quick archive
- …that David Feldman, an Irish philatelist now based in Geneva, auctioned the world's most expensive postage stamp, the Swedish Treskilling Yellow for 2.5 million Swiss francs in 1996?
- ...that Jonathan Swift called his predecessor "that rascal Dean Jones" because he made such bad property leases whilst Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin?
- ...that the Mount Sandel Mesolithic site in Coleraine, County Londonderry is the oldest archaeological site in Ireland?
- ...that Wellington Testimonial in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, is the largest obelisk in Europe?
- ...that shamrock is an internationally registered trademark of the Government of Ireland?
- ...that Ireland consumes more tea per head of population than any other country in the world?
- ...that Letterkenny has the longest main street in Ireland?
- ...that the remains of Saint Nicholas are said to be burried close to Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny, having been brought back from the Crusades by a 12th century knight?
- ...that cycle polo, a variant of polo played on bicycles instead of horses, originated in Ireland in 1891?
- ...that the River Foyle is the fastest flowing river in Europe and is crossed by Europe's only double-decker bridge?
- ...that Paul McGrath, growing up in orphanages, was known as Paul Nwobilo until eventually tracked down by his mother, Betty McGrath?
- ...that Cork Harbour is one of several harbours that lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area".
- ...that Robert the Bruce, the 14th century king of Scotland, popularised a "pan-Gaelic Greater Scotia" and his brother Edward Bruce was the last High King of Ireland?
- ...that City Hall in Cork was paid for by the British government as a gesture of reconciliation during the 1930s to replace the one burnt down by British forces during the War of Independence?
- ...that the English phrase "By Hook or by Crook" is said to be derived from attempts to take Waterford in 1649 by Hook, meaning Hook Head on the east side of Waterford Harbour, or by Crook, a village on the west side of the harbour?
- ...that Private James Daly, who led the The Connaught Rangers mutiny in India during the War of Independence, was the last member of the British armed forced to be executed for mutiny?
- ...that Dublin University Football Club, Trinity's Rugby Union club, established in 1854, has a strong claim to be the world's oldest football club?
- ...that Newfoundland, in eastern Canada, has a unique dialect of Irish, closely resembling the Irish spoken during the 16th to 17th centuries and called Newfoundland Irish?
- ...that the Dell manufacturing plant in Raheen, Limerick produces 30,000—60,000 personal computers per day and contributes 5.8% of Irish GDP?
- ...that in 1631 the entire population of the village of Baltimore, County Cork was kidnapped by Algerian pirates in what became known as the Sack of Baltimore?
- ...that the modern game of croquet was invented in Ireland in the 1830s?
- ...that the Guinness company once produced a Marmite-like yeast extract spread called Guinness Yeast Extract?
- ...the Choctaw tribe in America donated $170 towards famine relief in Ireland in 1847?
- ...that Sir Francis Beaufort, creator of the famed Beaufort Scale, was born in Navan in County Meath? Or that his restored Georgian home in Navan was controversially demolished in the 1990s to build a road?
- ...that Newgrange is a 5000 year old passage tomb pre-dating the pyramids and Stonehenge? The builders had astronomical knowledge to precisely illumininate the internal passages of the tomb during the winter solstice?
- ...that the Ó Siochfhradha brothers were Irish Language teachers and writers from Dingle?
- ...that Fran Dempsey, who acted as Fortycoats in the 1980s RTÉ children's program, is Ian Dempsey's father?
- ...that the 4m people living in the Republic represent only half citizens of the State?
- ...that Xtravision, Ireland's largest chain of video rental stores, was valued at IR£27m (€34m) when it went spectacularly bankrupt in 1991?
- ...that Griffith College Dublin is a private university located on South Circular Road in Dublin?
- ...that the RTE puppet Dustin the Turkey has mockingly run for President of Ireland several times?
- ...that people from Westport, County Mayo, are traditionally known as Coveys, and used to speak a dialect unintelligible to outsiders?
- ...that Dubliners have humorous nicknames for the city's monuments, including the The Stiletto in the Ghetto and the Floozie in the Jacuzzi?
- ...that the various incarnations of the IRA were/are run by a chief of staff and that over 30 people have held this position since 1917?
- ...that, with a top rate of 12.5%, Ireland has the third lowest corporate tax rate in the world?
- ...that, with 10,000 dead, the 1316 Battle of Athenry was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Ireland?
- ...that the Treaty Ports of Cobh, Lough Swilly and Berehaven were UK sovereign bases from 1921 until 1938?
- ...that the Bogside Artists are a trio of mural painters in Derry?
- ...that Limerick city was besieged three times in the 17th century?
- ...Irish Times journalist Arthur Quinlan has interviewed every US president since Harry Truman?
- ...that gas bubbles travel downwards in a pint glass of Guinness ale?
- ...The Wanderings of Oisin, published in 1889, was Yeats’ first publication outside of magazines, immediately winning his reputation as a significant poet?
- ...that Irish songwriter Christy Moore wrote a comic song about the building of the Knock Airport, which transports hundreds of pilgrims to and from the Roman Catholic shrine at Knock, declaring, "I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock"?
- ...that, unlike oft-violent hurling, its female variant, camogie, forbids any unnecessary physical contact?
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Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim, Cavan
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Selected series: Irish cities
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