Essential guide for new immigrants to Ireland:
History
The island of Ireland was originally inhabited by the Celts. In 432 AD, Saint Patrick arrived to spread Christianity and Roman culture. Ireland entered a feudal society in the 12th century. In the latter half of the 12th century, England invaded Ireland. In 1541, King Henry VIII of England became the monarch of Ireland, and in 1801, Ireland was incorporated into the United Kingdom, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1912, Ireland was divided into two: the six northern counties remained part of the United Kingdom, while the 26 southern counties established the Irish Free State. In 1937, the Irish Free State declared itself an independent republic, and in 1948, it withdrew from the British Commonwealth. On April 18, 1949, the United Kingdom recognized Ireland's independence but refused to return the six northern counties. Since independence, successive Irish governments have made the reunification of Northern and Southern Ireland a stated policy. In September 2005, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning announced that the Irish Republican Army had completely disarmed and joined the peace process. Currently, Northern Ireland remains under British rule.
Culture
Ireland possesses a rich and diverse historical and cultural heritage, with many historical sites preserved, including tombs of the earliest settlers dating back to approximately 3000 BC and Celtic "ring forts" from the Bronze and Iron Ages. In terms of modernization and high-tech levels, the Irish economy is at the forefront of Europe. For example, Ireland is now a major global software exporter.
Irish culture originates from Celtic culture and is primarily composed of traditions in literature, music, dance, and sports. The Irish language belongs to the Celtic language family and is closely related to Scottish Gaelic and Welsh, which are in the same family, with many similarities still existing today. Early Irish history appeared in literary form, primarily through "poetry," "chronicles," and heroic epic legends. In the 5th century AD, Christianity was introduced to Ireland. In the early Middle Ages, Ireland was spared the wars that destroyed the Roman Empire and remained an isolated center of Christian learning. From the 6th to the 11th centuries, while the European continent was still in the Dark Ages, Irish clergy established religious learning centers throughout Europe, earning Ireland the reputation as the "Island of Scholars and Scientists."
In the 12th century, the English invasion caused severe damage to Celtic culture. By the beginning of the 19th century, Irish was still the language spoken by the majority of the population, but by the end of the 19th century, only 15% of the total population could speak Irish.
The English language was introduced to Ireland in the 12th century, and Irish writers began creating works in English in the 13th century. Ireland has nurtured many world-renowned writers and artists, four of whom have won the Nobel Prize in Literature: the poet W.B. Yeats (1923), the playwright George Bernard Shaw (1925), the playwright Samuel Beckett (1969, best known for "Waiting for Godot"), and the poet Seamus Heaney (1994). Other notable figures include the 19th-century aestheticist Oscar Wilde and James Joyce, author of "Ulysses," which represents the highest achievement in stream-of-consciousness literature.
Music holds an important place in Irish culture. The harp is a typical traditional Irish instrument, and its design has been chosen as the national emblem, signifying the vital importance of music in Ireland.
Hurling is a unique traditional sport with a history dating back to before the introduction of Christianity to Ireland (5th century AD); it is the fastest field sport in the world.
Riverdance is passionate and vibrant, with beautiful melodies and extremely distinct, varied rhythms. It embodies the essence of traditional Irish music, song, and dance, reflecting the spirit of modern Ireland. It has been widely acclaimed around the world and serves as an excellent representative of Irish culture.