The Irish are an ethnic group and nation native to the island of Ireland, who share a common ancestry, history and culture. There have been humans in Ireland for about 33,000 years, and it has been continually inhabited for more than 10,000 years (see Prehistoric Ireland). Ireland is a country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles.

Understanding the Context

The country is noted for a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Irish language. Its capital city is Dublin. Irish culture is vibrant, varied, and deeply rooted in the island’s history. It spans mythology, the Irish language, traditional music, art, literature, dance, and cuisine, shaped over centuries by influences from the Normans, Vikings, Scots, and English.

Key Insights

The story of the Irish is an ambitious and ground-breaking documentary series which tells the story of the Irish from the very first inhabitants to the present day, tracing the ebb and flow of... Get Ireland news, business, politics, sport, lifestyle, culture, podcasts, video and more from The Irish Times, the definitive brand of award-winning, in-depth journalism. The Irish Times | Latest news and headlines - Irish news, world news ... Irish is a Celtic language (as English is a Germanic language, French a Romance language, and so on). This means it is a member of the Celtic language family.

Final Thoughts

Its “sister” languages are Scottish Gaelic and Manx (Isle of Man); its more distant “cousins” are Welsh, Breton, and Cornish. What is Irish? | About | Irish Language Initiatives | University of ...