Author: Michael Kehoe

George Washington’s troops used the password ‘St Patrick’ when they forced the British out of Boston on March 17th 1776. * * * The most Catholic town in the Republic of Ireland is Buncrana, Co Donegal with 94.3% of the population Catholics. The most Protestant town is Greystones, Co Wicklow with 13.3% of the people… Continue reading Did You Know… George Washington

In ancient Ireland people would put holly leaves and branches in their homes during winter. This was so the supernatural forest people would be able to come in and shelter from the cold. The custom predates Christianity although it is now a well-known Christmas tradition. * * * * * * Marxist revolutionary leader Che… Continue reading Did You Know… Holly

In 1975, Oliver Plunkett was canonised as a saint. He was the first Irishman in over 700 years to receive the honour. He was made a patron saint for peace and reconciliation in Ireland in 1997. There were 17 more Irish martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992.  * * * Dracula is… Continue reading Did You Know… Oliver Plunkett

The first person to refer to Ireland as the ‘Emerald Isle’ was William Drennan in 1795. Drennan was a doctor and poet from Belfast. He used the phrase in his poem, When Erin First Rose. Read the whole poem, ‘When Erin First Rose’ here. * * * The only town in the world to be… Continue reading Did You Know… Emerald Isle

Ireland has produced four writers who have been awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature – George Bernard Shaw, W. B. Yeats, Samuel Becket and Seamus Heaney. * * * The citizens of Ireland are outnumbered by the tourists. The country has a population of 3.8 million while over 5 million tourists visit every year. In… Continue reading Did You Know… Nobel Prize

According to legend, St Patrick may have been buried in England rather than Ireland. It is said that he may have moved to Glastonbury towards the end of his life and been buried there. The Chapel of St Patrick is part of Glastonbury Abbey. * * * Ireland became officially known as the Republic of… Continue reading Did you know… Glastonbury Abbey

O’Connell Bridge in Dublin used to be made of rope and was only able to hold one person at a time. In 1801 it was replaced with a wooden bridge. In 1863, it was rebuilt again, this time using concrete. It was originally known as ‘Carlisle Bridge’. * * * * * * The youngest… Continue reading Did you know… O’Connell Bridge