13 Fun Facts About Ireland You Probably Didn’t Know

Writing fun facts about Ireland as an English person is a tricky undertaking, given the history between the two countries. I forge ahead boldly with my fun facts about Ireland, nonetheless.

In this article I share the most interesting Ireland facts.

1. Halloween originated in ancient Ireland

Kiss the Irish for Halloween. The ancient festival of Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter.

Ancient Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest during this time. Participants lit bonfires, wore costumes to ward off evil spirits, and engaged in rituals to honor their ancestors.

This tradition is not dissimilar from Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos which turns grieving into a remembrance festival. Both traditions celebrate the dead and developed independently.

2. Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle” thanks to the steady rainfall each year.

Ireland’s position as an island nation along the Atlantic Ocean brings consistent rainfall throughout the year. This feeds the grasslands that cover and color 80% of the island.

Did You Know? Ireland has over 140 types of moss contributing to its iconic greenery.

3. In Ireland, the Irish language is called Irish

While many outside Ireland refer to the native Irish language as Gaelic, within the country, it’s proudly known as Irish (Gaeilge). It holds official status alongside English, and regions known as the Gaeltacht preserve it as their primary language.

The Irish alphabet has an 18-letter alphabet that excludes j, k, q, v, w, x, y, and z from the Latin script.

Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions

Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions preserve Irish as their primary language. The Education Act of 1998 requires Irish language instruction in all government-funded schools.

4. Ireland’s national symbol is the harp

Ireland’s national symbol is the Irish harp, which represents the nation’s proud connection to music. The instrument is in the logos of several Irish businesses, including Guinness and Ryanair.

Bonus Fun Fact about Ireland

• Ireland is the only country with a musical instrument as its national symbol.

5. England invaded Ireland and began 800 years of religious and political conflict

Henry II launched the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, asserting control in 1171 and declaring himself “Lord of Ireland.” Henry VIII consolidated English rule in 1541 by declaring himself “King of Ireland.”

Large-scale Protestant settlements followed in the 1600s, particularly during the Plantation of Ulster. The Plantation of Ulster was a series of colonization and settlements of Northern English and Scottish people into Ireland which deepened the Protestant-Catholic divide.

Despite English efforts to enforce Protestantism, which was England’s official religion, most Irish remained Roman Catholic where they faced legal and cultural discrimination.

In 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty established the Catholic-majority Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Commonwealth, while Protestant-majority Northern Ireland opted to remain part of the United Kingdom.

The Free State became Éire under the 1937 Constitution, and Ireland officially became a republic in 1949, severing its final ties to the British Commonwealth.

The Irish diaspora is one of the largest in the world.

6. 70 million people claim Irish ancestry around the world

The Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) triggered mass emigration, with 1 million deaths and 1 million emigrants leaving Ireland. Continued emigration through the 20th century established large Irish populations worldwide.

33 million Americans claim Irish ancestry as of 2023. The Irish diaspora communities maintain cultural traditions through St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and Sydney.

Dublin Castle is well worth a visit.

8. Dublin Castle dates back to the 13th century

Dublin Castle was once the center of rule under England and later Great Britain. Dublin Castle now functions as a government complex, conference center and tourist attraction.

Visitor information for Dublin Castle:

• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday and Public Holidays 09:45am – 17.45pm
• Closed: Closed 25 – 27 December and 1 January
• Tickets: Adult Ticket: €8.00 ($8.56), Senior Ticket (60+): €6.00 ($6.42), Student Ticket (18+): €6.00 ($6.42), Child Ticket (12-17 yrs): €4.00 ($4.28), Child Ticket (under 12 yrs): Free, Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2-3 children): €20.00 ($21.40)

9. Ireland transformed from Europe’s poorest nation into the EU’s second-highest per-capita GDP economy

British laws unfair to Catholics and limited industrialization kept Ireland among Europe’s poorest nations through the 19th century. The Great Famine (1845-1852) killed one million people and devastated the agricultural economy.

Ireland’s 1973 entry into the European Economic Community sparked Ireland’s economy. The “Celtic Tiger” period from 1995 to 2007 saw GDP growth averaging 9.4% annually.

Thanks to the Celtic Tiger economic surge, Ireland now has the EU’s second-highest GDP per capita at $127,750 as of 2024, according to the IMF behind only Luxembourg and Switzerland.

10. Ireland became the most successful Eurovision nation with 7 wins in 38 years

Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1996. Johnny Logan scored three of these victories as a performer or songwriter.

11. Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford has the world’s oldest continuously operating maritime beacon

Hook Lighthouse began operating in 1172. The 36-meter tower continues guiding ships along Ireland’s southeastern coast after 852 years.

The Wild Atlantic Way is 1,550 miles long.

12. The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s longest coastal driving routes

The Wild Atlantic Way is a 1,550-mile-long road along Ireland’s west coast. This route takes drivers from Cork in the south to Donegal in the north, allowing them to experience a variety of landscapes from steep cliffs to surf-worthy waves.

Towards the end of the route travelers can see Ireland’s highlands rise in the distance.

The Book of Kells Experience includes this wonderful library.

13. Dublin’s Trinity College houses the famous Book of Kells

Trinity College in Dublin has the famous Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript known for its intricate artwork and historical value.

Visitors to Dublin can view this historic part of Irish culture with the Book of Kells Experience Tour.

Visitor information for the Book of Kells Experience

• Tickets: Tickets cost €21.50 (around $22) for a self-guided tour and €55 (around $57) for the guided tour. There are concessions available for students and senior citizens.
• Available time slots: 9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday; 9:30am – 4:45pm, Saturday; 10:00am – 4:30pm Sunday
• Address: Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

14. The Wicklow Mountains were the site of a brief gold rush in the 18th century

Prospectors discovered gold near what’s now the Avoca River, and people flocked to the area trying to strike it rich. The gold rush was short-lived, but traces of gold can be found in the riverbeds today.

The Wicklow Mountains major rivers include the Liffey, Dargle, Slaney and Avoca which originate in this upland area.

References:

• BBC – Neighbours across the sea: A brief history of Anglo-Irish relations
• Dublin Castle – Tickets and Times
• International Monetary Fund – GDP per capita, current prices
• Ireland’s National Parks – Where nature speaks
• Irish Whiskey Association – 10 Interesting Facts About Irish Whiskey
• Statista – The World’s Biggest Diasporas
• Visit Trinity – Book Now