ALL THINGS IRISH
Some interesting facts and trivia about County Donegal and Ireland for you to browse.
Some interesting facts and trivia about County Donegal and Ireland for you to browse.
IRELAND: FACTS & TRIVIA
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTS Ireland is and island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea and: ~ Has a total area of 27,135 square miles/70,280 sq km ~ Has 3,500 miles/5,631 km of coastline ~ Is 302 miles/485 km from north to south at it's longest point ~ Is 189 miles/304 km from east to west at it's widest point ~ Has four provinces ~ Has 32 counties: 26 in the Republic and 6 in Northern Ireland ~ Is the 4th largest island in Europe ~ Is the 20th largest island in the world ~ Is the most westerly country in Europe ~ Is the nearest point in Europe to America Ireland is divided into four provinces and each province is then divided into counties. The provinces and their counties are: CONNAGHT (Mid West) Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo LEINSTER (Mid East) Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow MUNSTER (South) Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford ULSTER (North and North West) Has 3 counties in the Republic of Ireland: Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan And 6 counties in Northern Ireland: Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone FACTS ABOUT IRELAND AND THINGS IRISH LARGEST CHURCH BELLS The largest Carillon of bells in Ireland (and also England, Scotland and Wales) is housed in the spire of St. Coleman's Cathderal in Cork LARGEST CHURCH IN IRELAND The largest church in Ireland is St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin which is 300' in length LARGEST BLANKET BOG IN EUROPE The largest blanket bog in Europe is The Bog of Allen in County Kildare LARGEST CITY PARK IN EUROPE Phoenix Park in Dublin with an area of some 1,752 acres is the largest city park in Europe LARGEST TEDDY BEARS PICNIC The largest teddy bears picnic was held in the Phoenix Park at Dublin zoo on the 24th of June 1995 with 33,573 teddy bears and their owners in attendance MORE FACTS ABOUT IRELAND O'CONNELL BRIDGE, DUBLIN is the only traffic bridge in Europe that is wider than it is long. The bridge was originally made of rope and was only able to take one person and a donkey at a time. The rope bridge was replaced by a wooden bridge in 1801 and later replaced in 1863 by the current concrete bridge. The original name of O'Connell Bridge was the Carlisle Bridge POLO Polo was played for the first time in Europe in 1868 in County Limerick ST. STEPHEN'S GREEN, DUBLIN The design of Central Park, New York is based (on a much larger scale of course) on the design of St. Stephen's Green in Dublin city. HIGHEST & TALLEST SEACLIFFS The highest accesible seacliffs in Europe are Sliabh Liag/Slieve League in County Donegal which stand 1972'/595 meters high WINDMILL The tallest windmill in Europe which stands 40' high is in Blennervill in County Kerry. It is also the largest working windmill in both Ireland and the UK. OLDEST MATERNITY HOSPITAL The world's oldest maternity hospital is The Rotunda, Dublin which was founded in 1745 NEWSPAPER The oldest newspaper in the world is the Belfast News Letter which was founded in 1737 PUB The oldest pub in Ireland is often said to be The Brazen Head, Dublin which dates from 1710 but it is in fact Ireland's third oldest pub, predated by: ~ Sean's Bar, Athlone, County Meath dates from 900AD ~ The Boot Inn, Cloughran, Dublin dates from 1593 CHURCH St. Michan's, Dublin is probably the oldest church in Ireland and on the grounds where the church now stands there was previously an earlier SMALLEST MUSEUM The smallest museum in Ireland is the home of Nora Barnacle (wife of James Joyce) called 'The Nora Barnacle Museum' in Galway city. The house contains letters, photographs and other memorabilia of their life together. CHURCH Measuring just 12 feet by 6 feet, St. Gohnan's in Portbradden, County Antrim is Ireland's smallest church. MORE: Just click on where you want to go.
~ Visiting Ireland: Hints & Tips (driving, eating drinking, clothes to bring etc.) ~ Irish Art & Artists |
SUNRISE & SUNSET TIMES
Ireland enjoys very long hours of daylight during the summer months extending to up to 17 hours of daylight during July. And given the fact that there is very little air and light polution in Donegal and no high rise buildings, we are blessed with some fabulous sunrises and sunsets to photograph, paint or just enjoy. The photograph to the left here is of a sunset on Tory Island and is not tampered with in any way ~ the sunset really was that fabulous. SUNRISE & SUNSET TIMES JANUARY ~ Surise 08:40/Sunset 16:20 FEBRUARY ~ Sunrise 08:10/Sunset 17:10 MARCH ~ Sunrise 07:15/Sunset 18:00 APRIL ~ Sunrise 07:00/Sunset 20:00 MAY ~ Sunrise 05:55/Sunset 20:55 JUNE ~ Sunrise 05:05/Sunset 21:45 JULY ~ Sunrise 05:00/Sunset 22:00 AUGUST ~ Sunrise 05:45/Sunset 21:20 SEPTEMBER ~ Sunrise 06:35/Sunset 20:15 OCTOBER ~ Sunrise 07:30/Sunset 19:00 NOVEMBER ~ Sunrise 07:25/Sunset 16:55 DECEMBER ~ Sunrise 08:20/Sunset 16:15 To view more Donegal sunsets CLICK HERE IRISH RECIPIES
Listed below are some Irish recipes you might like to try. Just click on the underlined link to go to that page. All the recipes here have been made and tested by us before adding them so we can assure you they all work to produce the best version of each dish. If you would like to submit a recipe, please CONTACT US. 
IRISH SODA BREAD
This is a traditional "scone" which is what we in Donegal call it (as opposed to soda bread as many people know it). The recipe here is more traditional than many you will find on the internet and in recipe books as it uses only the ingredients that would have been used as opposed to the various additions we see nowadays.My recipe sticks to those traditional ingredients but I understand that some of those ingredients might be hard for people to source, for instance buttermilk but I have a fail-safe alternative for you. For the recipe and information on the bread click HERE. 
BACON AND CABBAGE ~ With "Shamrock Sauce"
A "taste of home" for so many across the world, even those who have never been to Ireland but are of Irish descent would still think of this dish as their first real Irish dinner choice, especially on and around St. Patrick's Day. Read more about the history of the dish and learn to make the perfect "taste of home", Bacon and Cabbage ~ with the Donegal named, "Shamrock" Sauce! 
FULL IRISH BREAKFAST
An occasional treat both to those living in Ireland and visitors to Ireland ~ the Full Irish Breakfast. To learn a little about the full Irish breakfast and how to cook it click HERE 
IRISH APPLE CAKE
This is an old Irish recipe and whilst it is not a tradional cake in that the base is not sponge but rather Irish soda bread, the topping gives it a sweet taste. It is best enjoyed with a big mug of tea. Learn how to make Irish Apple Cake. 
IRISH STEW
Read about the history of Irish Stew and what would probably have been the original ingredients and then make your own from our Irish Stew Recipe ~ you can even learn how to make a perfect lamb stock to make your Irish Stew even more delicious. 
IRISH FLAG JELLIES
These are just a bit of fun, maybe for St. Patrick's Day or to make for an Irish themed party. Working out how to make white jelly was the biggest problem, but we have it sorted and you can click HERE to find out how to make your own Irish Flag Jellies. 
IRISH FLAG COCKTAIL
This is a very pretty looking and delicious Irish cocktail but beware ~ it packs a real kick! Learn how to make it HERE |
MUSIC & MUSICIANS
Unsurpringly we expect this list to be extensive but here's a taster of perhaps lesser know music and musicians to get us started. If you have anything we should add here please go to our CONTACT page to let us know.
MUSIC/DANCE
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Was written by Irish poet Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander who also wrote 'Once in Royal David's City'
FORTY SHADES OF GREEN
The song 'Forty Shades of Green' was written by Johnny Cash, inspired by the view from his plane as he flew into Ireland
HANDEL'S 'MESSIAH'
Handel's 'Messiah' was played publically for the first time in Dublin in 1742 on the organ in St. Michan's Church, Dublin
NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL ANTHEM
In 1878 an Irish poet, Thomas Bracken, who became a citizen of New Zealand wrote the New Zealand national anthem, God Save New Zealand
ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY
This was written by the Irish poet Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander who also wrote 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'.
RIVERDANCE
Michael Flately, one of the original founders of Riverdance was reputed to have been earning STG£1,000,000 per week at the height of his fame with Riverdance.
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC
This was written by Jimmy Kennedy of Omagh in County Tyrone. He also wrote 'Red Sails in the Sunset'.
WALTZING MATILADA
Waltzing Matilda was written by Robert Barton of Fermanagh
WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT
The Christmas hymn 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night' was written by Dublin born Nahum Tate, who was also a poet-laureate of England
On the 16th of November, 1991, Donegal singer, Daniel O'Donnell, occupied a record six of the top seven places in the UK country album charts.
The bugle blown to launch the Charge of the Light Brigade was sold by McNeill's music shop on Caple Street, Dublin
'Do They Know It's Christmas' was written by Bob Geldof who was born in Dublin.
MUSICIANS
LOCKE, Joseph (1917-99)
The tenor Joseph Lock was born in Derry on St. Patrick's Day 1917
THE BEATLES
~ John Lennon's father, James Lennon, was born in Dublin and his mother, Mary Polly Maguire was also born in Ireland
~ Paul McCartney's father, James McCartney, was born in Ireland and his maternal grandfather, Owen Mohin, was born in Monaghan
~ George Harrison's maternal grandfather, John French, was born in County Wexford
Unsurpringly we expect this list to be extensive but here's a taster of perhaps lesser know music and musicians to get us started. If you have anything we should add here please go to our CONTACT page to let us know.
MUSIC/DANCE
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Was written by Irish poet Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander who also wrote 'Once in Royal David's City'
FORTY SHADES OF GREEN
The song 'Forty Shades of Green' was written by Johnny Cash, inspired by the view from his plane as he flew into Ireland
HANDEL'S 'MESSIAH'
Handel's 'Messiah' was played publically for the first time in Dublin in 1742 on the organ in St. Michan's Church, Dublin
NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL ANTHEM
In 1878 an Irish poet, Thomas Bracken, who became a citizen of New Zealand wrote the New Zealand national anthem, God Save New Zealand
ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY
This was written by the Irish poet Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander who also wrote 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'.
RIVERDANCE
Michael Flately, one of the original founders of Riverdance was reputed to have been earning STG£1,000,000 per week at the height of his fame with Riverdance.
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC
This was written by Jimmy Kennedy of Omagh in County Tyrone. He also wrote 'Red Sails in the Sunset'.
WALTZING MATILADA
Waltzing Matilda was written by Robert Barton of Fermanagh
WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT
The Christmas hymn 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night' was written by Dublin born Nahum Tate, who was also a poet-laureate of England
On the 16th of November, 1991, Donegal singer, Daniel O'Donnell, occupied a record six of the top seven places in the UK country album charts.
The bugle blown to launch the Charge of the Light Brigade was sold by McNeill's music shop on Caple Street, Dublin
'Do They Know It's Christmas' was written by Bob Geldof who was born in Dublin.
MUSICIANS
LOCKE, Joseph (1917-99)
The tenor Joseph Lock was born in Derry on St. Patrick's Day 1917
THE BEATLES
~ John Lennon's father, James Lennon, was born in Dublin and his mother, Mary Polly Maguire was also born in Ireland
~ Paul McCartney's father, James McCartney, was born in Ireland and his maternal grandfather, Owen Mohin, was born in Monaghan
~ George Harrison's maternal grandfather, John French, was born in County Wexford