Ireland ESL Lesson powerpoint presentation

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1. WELCOME TO IRELAND FÁILTE

2. Visiting Ireland

3. GENERAL INFORMATION Capital: Dublin Population: 5, 098, 051 (ROI) Area: 84, 421 km 2 Official languages: English and Irish Largest city: Dublin Currency: Euro

4. IRISH CULTURE AND HISTORY Discuss in pairs: What do you like the most about Irish culture? What surprised you the most? Would you like to catch a Leprechaun? Why?

5. WHAT TO SEE IN IRELAND? FAMOUS LANDMARKS AND ATTRACTIONS

6. BLARNEY STONE  For over 200 years, people have been kissing a stone on the wall of Blarney Castle. Why? The story goes that, after kissing the Blarney Stone, you will acquire the "gift of the gab". In other words, you will be able to speak in an eloquent way and flatter other people easily. However, the stone's location makes the kiss quite difficult to achieve. In the past, people were held by the ankles and lowered headfirst over a wall! Nowadays, it is a little bit safer; visitors can hold on to a metal bar and lean backwards to reach the stone, but asking someone to help is still recommended.

7. GREAT SKELLIG Ireland has a number of small islands which can be reached by the boat. Sceilg Mhichil (or Great Skellig) and Little Skellig are two rocky islands located almost 12 kilometers west of the Irish mainland. Sometime between the sixth and eighth centuries, a small group of monks founded a monastery on Sceilig Mhichil and withdrew from society to this remote and isolated place. Only Sceilig Mhichil is open to visitors, and those exploring the island must be careful not to disturb the island's huge population of seabirds and their breeding habitats.  The impressive sight of the ruined monastery, combined with the sense of remoteness, and the sound of the surrounding ocean led Irish writer Show to describe this place as "incredible, impossible, mad place" as "part of our dream world".

8. BRU NA BOINNE If you enjoy visiting sites of historical importance, you will almost certainly enjoy "Bru na Boinne", an area approximately 40 km north of Dublin city which contains one of the world's most important prehistoric landscapes. The archaeological site within Bru na Boinne contains three large tombs built around 5000 years ago, with an additional 90 recorded monuments. The density of its monuments and amount of evidence gathered from the area makes it one of the world's most significant archaeological sites

9. ARAN ISLANDS Located just off the Galway coast, the Aran islands also have a lot to offer. Irish is the primary language on all three Aran islands, and nature lovers may enjoy the 437 varieties of wildflowers. You can get there by ferry or plane, and hire a bicycle or take a minibus tour when you're there!

10. CLIFFS OF MOHER The Cliffs of Moher (Irish: Aillte an Mhothair , lit. cliffs of the ruin, also known as the Cliffs of Coher from the Irish: Mhothair ) are located in the parish of Liscannor at the south-western edge of The Burren area near Doolin, which is located in County Clare, Ireland. The cliffs rise 120 meters (394 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and reach their maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, eight kilometres away. The cliffs boast one of Ireland's most spectacular views. On a clear day the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay, as are the valleys and hills of Connemara.

11. DON'T FORGET TO VISIT THESE AS WELL BURREN CONNEMARA GUINNESS FACTORY TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN CASTLES etc.

12. ACTIVITY

13. ANSWERS:

14. Discuss in pairs: What would you like to visit while in Ireland? What impressed you the most about Ireland? How different is the Irish culture when compared to your culture? Have you visited any of the Irish attractions? Which?  Have you tried any Irish food? What would you like to try? Traditional stew? Irish breakfast? Would you kiss the Blarney Stone? Why? Do you ever listen to Irish music? Have you heard of Riverdance?