Ireland

The following information was originally written by Ron Dennis.

Here is a map link so we can look at where these places are:

Look Around Ireland

Dublin is home to much of Ireland's cultural heritage. The country's most richly decorated manuscript "The Book of Kells", which contains the four gospels in Latin, is on view in Trinity College.

The National Museum in Kildare Street has a magnificent display of Bronze Age antiquities and many gold and silver treasures of early Christianity. Also Dublin Castle, and Christ Church cathedral are a delight to see.

Lying safely between the mountains and the sea, the capital city is vibrant and ever changing and home to roughly a third of all of Ireland’s people. At the top of the page you see the Celtic Tiger, which is apparently one of Ireland's nicknames in the area of economy and trade.

From a Celtic perspective Ireland, throughout the ages, has been famous for its exquisite Celtic jewelry. Irish gifts have been passed to friends and families throughout the world and held as treasured items to be passed down through their generations.

Even in my own family we hold gifts of Ireland and treat them as our very own piece of the romance that is Ireland.

Irish Crochet And How To Make It Of all the different kinds of lace known as "Irish" that called "Irish Crochet" is the most durable, serviceable and popular. Easy Instructions to making your own Irish Crochet wear and outfits. Find out More Now

The time of the Celts entering into Ireland’s history could be as early as the 6th century BC and continued to be added until the emergence of Christianity.

In Celtic times it was not very unified in its kingdoms, but more by its culture and language. The country was divided into roughly 150 small kingdoms, each of these kingdoms was known as a tuath.

A lower level king ruled over a tuath. He was the subject of a more powerful king who in turn ruled over a group of tuatha. The king of the tuatha was in turn subject to one of the five provincial kings. This period was rather up and down with constant shifts in power among the most senior adversaries.

The Celts worked a barter system and therefore, no coins were used and the unit of exchange was livestock. It is said that at this time there were no towns to speak of and the majority of the population lived on farms or homesteads. The people were placed into a class system and were strictly regulated by Brehon law.

Brehon law was an elaborate legal system based largely on the concepts of the tuath as a governing body and the fine, (your extended family). It is true to say that Ireland remains unmistakably Celtic.

There are many tales of saints and missionaries and the most famous of these was St. Patrick. Ireland has fine manuscripts, sculptures and exquisite jewellery plus a glorious array of traditional music. It also has one of the richest folklore's in the world, in addition a world of culinary delights to die for.

All this washed down with a drop 'o the hard stuff (Irish whiskey) or a long cool pint of Guinness and even if you’re not Irish you’ll be happy and laughing. 

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