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Flying into Ireland, the view from the airplane window is of a sparkling, green landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see,. Ireland's climate provides an abundance of rain intermingled with generous glimpses of sunshine and rainbows. Baskets of flowers and plants festoon street lamps, but there is never a need to water them because they thrive on rainfall alone. Little wonder then, that Ireland is called “The Emerald Isle” for indeed, its scenery of vibrant green is the jewel in its crown. Many symbols of Ireland are also green.
Start Flag of Ireland
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Green is part of the tricolor flag of the Republic of Ireland. which also includes equal parts of white and orange. The color green represents the native Irish people, while the orange symbolizes the supporters of William of Orange, mainly Protestants, who settled in Northern Ireland during the 1600s. The flag’s center strip of white denotes peace between the two groups.
Saint Patrick
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Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is usually portrayed wearing green robes. Saint Patrick lived during the fourth century A.D., and his principal role in Ireland was as a missionary. He is said to have traveled throughout the island, establishing monasteries and converting the Irish to Christianity. Legend has it that he cast out all the snakes into the sea (Ireland is one of a few islands in the world that has no native snake species). Saint Patrick’s feast day is March 17, which has become a day of celebration for people of Irish descent all over the world.
The Shamrock
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It is said that Saint Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock (a type of clover) to illustrate the Catholic belief in the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The green shamrock is a common symbol for Ireland, along with the rose for England, the thistle for Scotland and the leek for Wales. The shamrock plant is a customary gift from Ireland to the United States on Saint Patrick’s Day. Shamrocks are shipped direct from Ireland as gifts, but they can also be grown outside Ireland (see Resources).
The Little People
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Magic is an integral part of Irish folklore. The Irish have numerous legends about fairies and "The Little People,” whose ranks include the Leprechaun. In current folklore, the Leprechaun wears a green coat. It is said that he can usually be found hammering away on a pair of shoes, as he is a shoemaker by trade. One discovers a Leprechaun by following the sound of his hammering, and if he is caught, he must hand over his legendary pot of gold or grant three wishes. Take your eye off him for even an instant though, and he and his gold will vanish.
Connemara Marble
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One of the oldest natural minerals in Ireland is also green. Connemara marble is thought to be about 600 million years old in geological terms. It is found in the Connemara Mountains in the west of Ireland, and was first mined during the 1800s. In addition to gracing buildings, Connemara marble is used to fashion jewelry, rosary beads, giftware and souvenirs.
Not Green Beer
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There is one aspect of Ireland that is not green. Contrary to the trend in the United States and other countries to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with green beer, that is not the way in Ireland. Guinness is the brand of choice in Ireland, and stout is the preferred style of beer. But beer in Ireland does not come in the fabled "40 shades of green," the descriptive words penned by Johnny Cash about Ireland.
