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• The Celts
The Celts were commonly thought to have come to Ireland as early as the 6th century BC, with subsequent groups arriving up to the time of Christ. The Celts had deep influence on Ireland. Among all the legacies of the Celts, it is their language that has proved the most lasting. Along with the language, the Celts also brought an instrument of social and cultural unity and a legal system to the island.
Christianity
Christianity was introduced into Ireland some time in the 5th century. Traditionally, it was said to have been brought by Saint Patrick. Although there were some Christians in Ireland before Patrick's arrival, by the time of his death in 461 AD, the whole island was effectively Christian.
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• Early Modern Period
In 1541, Henry Ⅷ declared himself king of Ireland---the first English monarch to do so. Queen ElizabethⅠcontinued and amplified her father’s Irish campaigns. When her army defeated the Irish at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, the native political system was overthrown and, for the first time, the entire island was controlled by a strong English central government. Because of the repressive policies of the English administration, the English Protestantism was resisted in Ireland. When the new English republic was established under Oliver Cromwell, he took such drastic measures to crush the rebellion on Irish soil that the massacres of his parliamentary army are still recalled today.
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History
• Pre-history
The earliest settlers arrived around 7000 BC in the middle stone age period. Rival colonialists of the new stone age period reached around 3000 BC. These were farmers who raised animals and cultivated the soil. Within about another thousand years, around 2000 BC, prospectors and metal workers arrived. It is thought that a second wave of people reached Ireland around 1200 BC. They are still nameless, but built on the achievements of the present inhabitants.
Ireland
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National emblem National flag
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outline
• Geography • History • Politics • Economy • Culture • Advice for conversation
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Geography
Ireland is a small island off the northwest cost of Great Britain, divided from Scotland by a narrow strait of water.
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• The Middle Ages
From around 800 onwards Vikings marauders attacked Ireland, as well as England. The Vikings were great traders and did much to develop commerce in medieval Ireland. The 11th and 12th centuries are often regarded as a period of progress in Ireland. Cultural activity in the arts prospered. It was a great era of religious reform and a powerful effort was made to bring the church more fully into line with Roman Catholic orthodoxy. The Normans arrived in 1167—1169. In 1171, the Normans’ overlord, Henry Ⅱ, the king of England, managed to establish himself as overlord of the Ireland.
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• The Republic of Ireland is in total 70,282 square kilometers • Population : 4,203,200 ( July,2009 ) • A ring of coastal mountains surround low plains at the centre of the island. • Ireland has a mild but changeable oceanic climate with few extremes. • The climate is perfect for many domestic animals (such as cows and horses) and for growing grass.