Tá tú Fáilte go dtí na hÉireann, is é ár áthas tú an greann. (Irish)
Translate:
Welcome to Ireland, Our Joy is Your Happiness.
Ireland is a small Island nation of some 5 million people. Ireland is divided into two parts, The Irish Republic made up of 26 counties with a population of approx 3.5 million people and governed by a democratically elected Irish Government, Northern Ireland which is made up of the remaining six counties with a population of approx 1.5 million people and remains part of the United Kingdom. If you are interested in the politics of Ireland I have published a 12 chapter e-book that is absolutely FREE to read by clicking on the link at the right hand side of this Blog dealing with that subject.
Ireland is a tourist destination for people from all around the world, mainly because the Irish have for various reasons made many countries around the world their home. People travel to Ireland in their thousands from countries such as American, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Africa the list is endless. Each year the world stops on the 17th of March to celebrate our national Saint Patrick (see, http://hubpages.com/hub/Saint-Patrick-We-Love-You).
People who come to Ireland do so for the welcoming attitude of the people, the music, the dancing, the Guinness, the rural unspoiled country side (see, my pics) and a good time is had by all. Ireland has a close relationship with America due to the many hundreds of thousands of Irish descendants who live and work in America. The Irish people have made it to the top of most career ladders in the various countries that they have lived, one of our most famous sons being President JF Kennedy whose picture continues to hang on the wall of many Irish homes. I have many favourite places in Ireland and I will start with one of them Galway.
As part of my Blogging activity, I will introduce readers to the social and cultural side of Irish life. I will take you on a journey through various parts of Ireland that I have experienced and enjoyed myself. I will begin that journey in the west of Ireland and a place that many of you may have heard off, Galway City. Galway City, is known locally as the City of the tribes (The city bears the nickname The City of the Tribes, because fourteen "Tribes" (merchant families) led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period) and enhances all that is worthy of Ireland's traditional image of a place of welcome and warmth. Galway hosts some of the world’s finest Hotels, B+Bs and Hostels, your needs and budgets can be meet and I always recommend dashhotels.com to my family and friends when they are returning to Ireland.
Galway City is particularly popular in the summer months during which time the streets and pubs echo with the sound of traditional music and dance. This thriving medieval City offers music festivals, horse racing, restaurants, shops, theatres to compete with any other European City of culture. The Galway people are friendly, open and welcoming. The open fires are often surrounded by story tellers, musicians and people enjoying a pint of Guinness. Food served in Galway is second to none, the vegetables, meat and other quality foods are locally sourced and can be traced back to the farm of origin.
I have stayed in both Galway City and County. Each has its own unique story and so for now I will focus on the City of Galway. Galway City is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and, with a population of approx. 71,983 as per the census of April 2006; it has become the third city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork. It began as a small fishing village centred on the estuary of the River Corrib, a river traditionally called Abhainn na Gaillimhe (The Galway River) after Galvia, a mythological princess said to have drowned in its waters.
Galway city is culturally very strong in that it has been the backbone of Irish Language, dance and music for generations. Much of Ireland has given way to the universal use of English and popular culture. The Galway Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) is just outside of Galway City and this broadens and strengthens the links between Irish speakers. The language is visible on the city streets, with bilingual signage on display on shops and road signs, and can be heard by locals around the city.
During the majority of months of the year Galway City has some cultural event going on. Among some of the events taking place in Galway City each year is the Cúirt International Festival of Literature (April), the Galway Early Music Festival (May), the Galway Sessions traditional Irish music festival, the Galway Film Fleadh (July), the Galway Arts Festival (July), Galway Races horse racing festival (start of August), Galway City Rat Race (September), Galway International Oyster Festival (September), the Baboró Galway International Arts Festival for Children (October) and the Tulca Visual Arts Festival (November) to name but a few.
During my stays in Galway I have enjoyed sitting before the open turf burning fires of the many pubs in the City, I have enjoyed the music, the dancing, the story telling and more importantly the good company of a welcoming people. Galway City is a cultural capital that any country would be proud to claim as its own, but for now you may simply invade it as welcome guests.
