HISTORY

Since about year 7500 B.C., the first inhabitants of Ireland (Fir Bolg) have left tremendous testimony of their civilization and spiritual inclinations (Newgrange, Boyne Valley). Later the local culture of the Celts and the Gaels, where druids and poets (Fili) were considered as equals by the rulers, was able to flourish nicely and for a long time, since Ireland was one of the few countries in Western Europe not to have ever been invaded by the Romans. Between his arrival in 432 and his death around 490, Saint Patrick managed to evangelize the whole of Ireland after having, according to tradition, ridden the country of all its snakes…

Then, Ireland becomes known as the “Island of Saints and Scholars”. Ireland also has to resist the invasions of the Vikings from 795 to the famous battle of Clontarf in 1014, led by courageous King Brian Boru who met with death in the battle. Dedicated Catholics and bound to the Pope and Rome, Ireland , due to its internal political divisions, had to face the power of its big neighbor through the centuries (“Strong Bow”, Cromwell, Henri VIII, Elisabeth the 1st). Ireland is being colonized and the protestant settlers of British origin (Ascendancy), led by Jonathan Swift, find the restrictions so tough that they protest against London. Later, a non-violent Irish Catholic, Daniel O’Connell promotes his fellowmen gradually almost to the rank of equals with the British Settlers (Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829). .

A great famine devastates Ireland from 1845 to 1849, due to mildew having struck the staple food of Ireland, namely potatoes. This caused serious epidemic which killed hundreds of thousand people and prompted as many to migrate to USA. Through the “Home Rule” (1870) the “Wyndham Law” (1903), the “revolution of the poets” (1916), the creation of “Sinn Fein” “Us Alone” (1905) and I.R.A. (1919) and independence in 1922, are the signs of a long lasting break in between the two communities (Bloody Sunday of 1972) till the agreement of the Holy Friday 1998 and an rising reconciliation.

However, with the youngest population in Europe (41% of the population is below 25), Ireland has emerged as a rising economic power known as the “Celtic Tiger” (mainly through a clever policy of low taxation and low overheads over wages which attracted many companies and made labor cheaper than elsewhere), since its having joined the European Community in 1972, at the same time as Great Britain, which became then, an interlocutor amongst others…

Humorous, enthusiastic, cheerful, Irish people are of pleasant company…Ireland is a charming country for you to discover with the assistance of our team of friendly and competent chauffeur guides…

But enough history, let’s go listen to some fiddle and have a beer together !

Belfast
Dublin
Cork