NORTHERN IRELAND (дополнительный материал по теме" English speaking countries")

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is the smallest component of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. It consists of 6 counties of the Ulster’s province, so the name “Ulster” is sometimes used as equivalent to Northern Ireland. The country has a total area of about 5,462 square miles. It became the part of the United Kingdom in 1921. This country occupies the north-eastern corner of Ireland. In the south and west Northern Ireland is bounded by the Irish Republic. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the4 north, t6he North Channel and the Irish Sea in the east.

The population of the country is 1.5 million people. 98 per cent of the population is the Irish. The official language of the country is English, the national one is Irish. Many Irish surnames begin with O’-O’Neil for example; O’-means the son of Neil.

The climate is mild and wet, and rains are frequent. That is why Irishmen call their country the clearest place in the world. Grass grows well in Ireland because of damp soil; it makes the island look so beautiful. Emerald Isles- is the poetic name of the country. The main rivers of the country are the Bann, the Lagan and the Shannon. They are short but deep.

The capital of the country is Belfast. It is a port of great importance and it is also a university city. Belfast is the commercial and industrial centre. Speaking about the character of the Irish people it is necessary to mention that they always at everything ridiculous and absurd, they like music and singing. The national Irish instrument is the harp. Ireland’s greatest contribution to world culture is the field of literature. Ireland has 2 literatures, one- in the native language, and another in – the English one. Among the famous Anglo-Irish writers are George Bernard Show, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and others. The Irish people like limericks very much. A limerick is a nonsense poem of 5 lines. And limericks are considered to be the best reflection of the nation’s humour. On the coat-of-arms of Northern Ireland you can see a picture of a hand. Legend says that many hundred years ago two Viking chieftains went with their men in two big boats to Ireland. The first chieftain’s name was Heremon O’Neill, the name of the other we do not know. “The first of us to touch the Irish land will be the king of it”- they agreed. At last they were near the Irish coast. The tow boats were going fast. But the boat of O’Neill was not as fast as the boat of the other chieftain. When the boats were quit near the land, O’Neill quickly cut off his right hand and threw it over to the land. His hand touched the land and he became the king of Ireland.

St.Patrick is the saint patron of the country. St.Patrick’s flag has a red cross on a white field. The national holiday of Irish people is the 17^th of March. It is a tradition to decorate themselves with a little shamrock, which has become the national emblem.

1. Where is Ireland situated?

2. What territory does it occupy?

3. What language do the Irish people speak in?

4. Why do the Irish people call their country the clearest place in the world?

5. Is the capital of the country Belfast?

6. What musical instrument is the most popular in the country?

7. What is the national emblem of the country?

8. Who was the first king of the country according to the legend?

9. What is the limerick?