Ireland: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Ireland

Ireland is an island country in the North Atlantic, west of Great Britain, sharing its island with Northern Ireland. It has green fields, rocky coasts, lakes and low mountains. It is known for music, storytelling and St. Patrick's Day.

About Dublin

Dublin lies on Ireland's east coast, on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey. It is known for Trinity College, the Book of Kells and its many famous writers.

Fun facts about Ireland

1. Ireland has no native snakes, because rising seas cut the island off before they could arrive after the Ice Age.
2. Newgrange, an ancient tomb built more than 5,000 years ago, is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
3. On the winter solstice, sunrise light shines through a small opening and lights up Newgrange's inner chamber.
4. Skellig Michael, a rocky island with an ancient monastery and puffins, appears in Star Wars films.
5. The River Shannon, more than 300 kilometres long, is the longest river in Ireland.
6. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland and appears on its euro coins.