Carrick-a-Rede

• Northern Ireland is commonly referred to as Ulster.
• It’s one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom.
• It has been known to be a violent and dangerous country but is now becoming a safe spot for residents and tourists.
• English, Irish and Ulster Scots are the official languages.
• On December 6, 1922 all 32 Irish countries separated from British rule, becoming the Irish Free State. However, Northern Ireland returned to British rule the following day and to this day remains part of the United Kingdom.
• The best known traditional dish in Northern Ireland is the Ulster Fry.
• There is no longer an official Flag of Northern Ireland, as the ‘Northern Ireland Flag’ was abolished along with the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972. Unionists tend to use the Union Flag and sometimes the Ulster Banner, while nationalists usually use the Flag of Ireland, or sometimes the Flag of Ulster.

• Christianity is the largest religion in Northern Ireland.

HISTORY

• The campaign for civil rights in 1969 turned violent when protestors attacked loyalist supporters. This started something called “the troubles”.
• “Bloody Sunday” – in 1972 when British forces fired real bullets at peaceful protestors rather than plastic bullets, things turned ugly. Fourteen were pronounced dead. The British government gave their condolences to the families who have passed, which was a big milestone for the feud.
• In 1998, after many fights between the Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) and Northern Ireland paramilitary and religious groups, an agreement was signed. This agreement was known as “The Belfast Agreement” or “Good Friday Agreement”.
• After the agreement was signed there was an immediate decrease in the terrorist attacks and rioting, although it took a couple years for the country to be fully stable.

FACTS

• Titanic was built in Belfast, which is the capital of Northern Ireland
• Gaelic football – is a mix of rugby and soccer which is one of the countries most popular sports
• A tradition on Irish birthdays is to hold the child upside down and bump the child against the floor to correspond with the age of the child. This is done for good luck
• The two most popular names in Ireland are Emma and Sean
• Road signs are in both English and Irish
• The first female president was Mary Robinson
• There are over 34 million people in the US with Irish ancestry
• One interesting story in Ireland is of a doctor who built an upright coffin because he had arthritis in the hips and wanted a quick departure when the resurrection came
• 88% of the Irish population is Roman Catholic
• The country originated using the Rosary
• The castles in the country feature something called the “murder hole” which is a hole that would contain hot liquids, arrows, and other instruments used to dump onto people who were unwelcomed.

Belfast Castle

• Hotels in Belfast can cost anywhere from 50-100 GBP per night
• Bed and breakfasts cost 50 GBP and up per night
• Hostels in Belfast – Private rooms can cost 15 GBP a night and shared are as low as 7 GBP
• Big Macs are 2.29 GBP

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• The country has one of the lowest crime rates among industrialized countries
• The last Saturday in August is known as “Black Saturday” which is the end of the marching season. This time of the year has been known to get a little unruly. It is best to stay away from places that appear to have large rowdy crowds.
• Pickpockets have been known to occur but are fairly rare. It’s perfectly safe to walk the main streets with out worrying about your safety.

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Cliffs of Moher

• It has been known to be unpredictable
• Like England and the rest of Great Britain it has been known to rain often
• Summers are generally warm and winters are mild
• Extreme heat and cold are both rare throughout the country
• Air frost occurs frequently in the winter, with most areas seeing over 40 days of air frost every year

The Mourne Mountains

• When walking through the Mourne Mountains you will see lakes, rivers, and the many excellent peaks of the Mourne wall.
• You are able to rock climb up the wall.
• The highest mountain in the area is Slieve Donnard which stands at 852 m (2,796 ft) it is also the tallest mountain in Ireland.

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Giant’s Causeway

• It is a World Heritage Site and National Nature Reserve.
• The name originates from the local legend Fionn McCool. It was said that the rocks were once part of a bridge (or causeway), in Scotland. The rocks were connecting but then were torn down by Benandonner when Fionn’s wife tricked him into believing that Fionn was huge.
• It is an interesting sight to see but can be a long and intense walk, and because of the water you could get wet so make sure to wear water proof clothing.

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Carrick-A-Rede

• The name derives from “rock in the road”.
• It is a rope bridge that is commonly used for fishing for salmon.

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Dunluce Castle

• It is located in Country Antrim, 3 miles east of port rush on the road to bushmills.
• The castle is known to be the inspiration behind “the famous castle in CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia”.

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Birr Castle

• It is famous telescope built in 1825 was the world’s biggest until 1917.
• Along with a beautiful arrangement of flowers that surround the castle it is quite the sight to see.

Trim Castle

• In County Meath and on the shore of the Boyne
• This castle is particularly interesting because it was one that, long ago, would dump tar, boiling water, arrows, and rocks over the edge to unwelcome visitors.
• This castle was one of Ireland’s largest and most popular castles to visit for tourists.

Leap Castle

• Standing on the top of a hill overlooking countryside, this castle is one of Ireland’s most haunted castles.
• The ghosts that haunt the castle have been known to leave a stinky scent.
• Poet WB Yeats has witnessed the haunting on a stay at the castle.

Communication Etiquette:
• The Irish are very friendly people and are also very welcoming
– There is a big importance on being generous
• Don’t talk about religion or anything that you may feel would make them feel uncomfortable
• First greeting welcome with a firm handshake and constant eye contact
• Try to converse
– No matter where you are they are very friendly and love to talk
• It can be taken badly if you are standing very close to someone while talking
– If flirting – it can be acceptable to touch

Business Etiquette:
• Business dress is fairly conservative
– Men – dark colored suits
– Women – business suits, dresses and blouses as well as accessories
– Jeans aren’t usually worn but that will vary from situation to situation
• They are very direct
– Honesty is respected and appreciated
– They love to tell stories
– Value humor
– Arrogance is very unappreciated
• There will be small talk before talking business
• Once talking business be direct and to the point
• Avoid being aggressive in negotiation
• Decisions are made by a group consensus
• Professional titles aren’t often used
– Business cards may be given during initial meeting