Southern Ireland, known as just Ireland since 1922, shares its only border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. According to Wikipedia, the Republic of Ireland (Éire, pronounced [ˈeːɾʲə] ) is a sovereign state in Western Europe encompassing approximately five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The country covers an area of 27,133 square miles and has a total population of approximately 4.5 million. Dublin is the capitol with almost one million residents.
The Republic of Ireland Act of 1948 proclaimed Ireland a republic (ruled by the people) and discarded the duties of the monarch in favor of an elected president.
Stanley is probably enjoying some very moderate weather while in Ireland. Rarely do temperatures fall below 26 degrees in winter, but one does put up with quite a bit of rain during this time, or rise above 72 degrees in summer.
Stanley is probably enjoying some very moderate weather while in Ireland. Rarely do temperatures fall below 26 degrees in winter, but one does put up with quite a bit of rain during this time, or rise above 72 degrees in summer.
Here we see Stanley and Grainne on the Atlantic coast of Ireland in Cahersiveen. After a short stay here, they may have traveled to see some of the ancient stone forts that still remain in this area of Ireland.
Stone Forts, which are found mainly in the west of Ireland, are notoriously difficult to date. Some are thought to be Iron Age (about 500 BC to 400 AD) while many are simply stone versions of the common earthen ring fort which was the typical farmstead of the Early Historic period (400 AD to 1200 AD).
Carhergall in the Cahersiveen area is a particulary fine and impressive stone fort with a massive dry-stone wall. There are flights of steps and terraces in the inner face of the wall and the upper parts of these, together with the lintelled entrance, have recently been reconstructed. Within the fort there are the remains of a large circular dry stone building. It is likely that somebody of importance lived here about 1,000 years ago.
Many of us associate the Celtic Cross with Ireland, although it is found throughout the British Isles across Scotland, Wales, and Breton. The cross is combined with a ring that surrounds the intersection and is richly decorated. The earliest crosses of this nature date to approximately the 9th century and appeared mostly in Ireland. This early version was a slab and laid flat rather than standing on a base. Eventually these became erect cross slabs and were displayed in an upright position.
A large cross could have been made of up to four pieces of stone---the base, the shaft, the head, and the upper cross arm. These were held together by mortise and tenon joints carved into the stone.
An Irish legend tells how St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over a Latin cross to symbolize the pagan moon goddess. Art historians will argue it more likely represented a victory wreath following battle. Modern day carriers of the cross see it as a circle of the endlessness of God's love or Christ's halo.
The meaning of the four arms of the cross also vary with different cultures. Some believe they relate to the four elements (earth, wind, fire, water) to others they are compass oriented (east, west, north, south), and still others think of them as the four parts of man (mind, heart, soul, body).
What else do we think we know of Ireland? What's up with the leprechauns, shamrocks and St Patrick's Day?
Leprechauns are part of Irish mythology and folklore. They are the stuff of story telling to young Irish children and evenings spent around campfires. They are small enough to sit comfortably on your shoulder and are very smartly dressed in small green suits, hats, eyeglasses and buckled shoes. The leprechauns spend all their time busily making shoes. (they wear our their shoes frequently due to much dancing!) Their appearance is one of a mischievous old man known to leap onto a wall and spin, balancing himself on the point of his hat with his heels in the air. Let's not forget that they all hide their money in a large pot at the end of the rainbow!
Saint Patrick's Day
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland during this time was a land of Druids and Pagans. Patrick learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. One legend says that when Patrick arrived he was almost killed by a chieftain of one of the tribes. Patrick was able to covert Dichu (the chieftain) to Christianity after he healed the chief's immobile arm.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity upon hearing Patrick's message. Patrick died on March 17 in 461.
Shamrocks
There is no such thing as a true Shamrock. The word comes from the Irish word of "seamrog" meaning "little clover". However, there are hundreds of varieties of clover. The three leaf clover is Ireland's most recognized national symbol and is referred to there as the shamrock.
When Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland in the year 432 to bring Christianity to the Irish, folklore tells that one of his teaching methods was to use the 3 leaf clover to explain the Trinity. God was composed of three entities, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet each entity was part of the whole, represented by the single stem. The popularity of the clover, or shamrock, has continued to grow adding to the religious interpretation that it is also a sign of good luck.
It is indeed lucky to find a 4 leaf clover. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 3-leaf clovers for every 4 leaf clover. Modern day legend contents that each leaf represents something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.
People began wearing green and shamrocks on March 17th the anniversary of Saint Patrick's death around 1700.
To read more about Irish folklore click this link
Stanley didn't make it out to Keukenhof Gardens. This magical area showcases the famous Dutch tulips. It is a seasonal park and opened only from March to May each year when the flowers are in bloom. It is located southwest of Amsterdam. Keukenhof has over 7 million (!) spring flowers planted on 70 acres, so different types of brilliant bulbs are blooming throughout the season. Keukenhof is one of the most photographed sites in the world. To read more about Keukenhof visit: 
