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Top ten little-known facts about Ireland ahead of the Gathering 2013

Wacky, ridiculous and surprising things you never knew about Ireland

BERNIE MALONE,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 7:24 AM

Updated Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 3:45 PM

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The first Irish Constitution was signed at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

Photo by Google Images

1.Ireland is the only country in the world which has a musical instrument – the harp – as their national symbol. The oldest known harp in existence is housed in Trinity College, Dublin. It dates back from at least 1300.

2. Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest in the world.

3. Up until 1973, many women employed in the public service faced mandatory retirement once they got married.

4. The first Irish Constitution was signed at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

5. There are no postal or ZIP codes in Ireland outside of Dublin and Cork city.

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6. The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in County Galway.

7. James Joyce once described Guinness stout as "the wine of Ireland."

8. Shannon became the world’s first duty-free airport in 1947, and we’ve been buying tax-free liquor and perfume ever since.

9. One of the most popular radio shows in rural Ireland is still the daily broadcast of local obituaries.

10. The Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath was constructed around 3200 BC, making it more than 600 years older than the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, and 1,000 years older than Stonehenge.

Source: Specialized Travel Services; Ireland Fun Facts; Jetpacker.

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Seanmor | Oct 10, 2012, 10:23 PM EDT

Ireland is unique in that it is the only country that has townlands, the smallest sections of 'territory' in rural areas. Townlands, not rural route numbers, are used in rural addresses. Townlands vary greatly in size, shape and population. Some of the very large one may be over 3 square miles, while a few of th smaller ones have less that a hundred acres. The names of the vast majority of townlands have names of Irish origin ( do most villages, towns and cities). A few years ago an article in "The Belfast Telegraph" stated that 96% of Northern place names were of Irish origin. Townlands are mentione in the first Census of Ireland, 1659. When tracing one's ancestry of a few generation ago, it usually helps to know the name of the townlands from which the ancestor came.

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Searlit | Oct 09, 2012, 11:42 PM EDT

I agree with brendan gillen, I think. A gold harp with a green background for the Island. Yes!!!

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brendan gillen | Oct 09, 2012, 05:58 PM EDT

I think that the green flag and the harp background should be the flag for Ireland, both North and South. Keep the tri colour for the republic and the Red Hand for Ulster but combined it should be the green with the gold harp. And while I'm at it, I have just brought out a new book about life in Northern B.C. It's called, Gold Storm in Stewart, by Brendan Gillen

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RedBranch | Oct 09, 2012, 04:10 PM EDT

#11. All Irish placenames mean something Dublin means 'blackpool', Tandragee means 'arse to the wind'

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TisEyerish | Oct 09, 2012, 11:15 AM EDT

I was proud that I already knew most of these facts, LOL...although I learned a few new things, as well!

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carrickcourt | Oct 09, 2012, 09:35 AM EDT

Remember visiting my late Irish second cousins once removed Davy and George in Magheracloone in Co. Monaghan and the lads listening to the radio to hear the new local obits. George said they listened to make sure they were not listed. Of course the lads did not listen to hear about the new local obits until they had looked after their cattle.

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