DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Ireland Crafts, Facts, and Activities for Kids

Although Saint Patrick's Day is the national holiday of Ireland, there's a lot more to the country than the one day. I thought I'd try to pull together a few pieces of history, fact and legend to share with your children.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this website is meant for children, so I do generalize and simplify quite a bit!

The Republic of Ireland, a country in Europe, has some very cool ancient history, making it an essential country for children to study and know a little bit more about.

image of the magnificent Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland
Photographed by Giuseppe Milo; used with permission under C.C. BY 2.0

Irish (also known as Gaeilge) and English are the two officially recognized languages in the Republic of Ireland. Ulster-Scots (a dialect or particular form of language) of Scots is spoken in the Ulster region of Ireland. Other languages include, but are not limited to, Russian, Polish, French, German, Mandarin, and Japanese. The Republic of Ireland also has its own distinct form of sign language, known as Irish Sign Language (ISL).

Ireland is a country found in the Northern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere of the globe. Historically, before the separation of the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland, there were 4 political divisions of Ireland, called provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster. These territorial divisions were known as “cúige,” literally meaning “fifth part,” suggesting that at one time there were five provinces.  As of 2021, however, the Republic of Ireland is split into 30 political divisions (called administrative regions): Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin Corporation, Dún Laoghaire & Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monoghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary North, Tipperary South, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

The Republic of Ireland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, St. George’s Channel to the southeast, and the Irish Sea to the east.

Capital city:  Dublin
Language:  Irish and English
National Bird:  Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
National Animal:  Irish Hare (Lepus timidus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), and the now extinct Irish Elk (Megaloceros giganteus)
National Flower:  Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn)
Currency:  Euro (EUR)

More Ireland Facts:
flag

About Ireland

Neat Facts:

  • The most famous Irishman in the world, St. Patrick, was NOT even Irish… He was born in Wales and was sent to Ireland as a missionary!
  • Ireland is one of the rarest places on Earth because there are NO snakes here!
  • Over 10% of the population of Ireland has red hair!
Ireland Printables:
coloring page

Ireland (Facts) Coloring Pages
(maps, flags, etc)
irish folklore coloring page

Ireland (Folklore) Coloring Pages
(Faeries, mermaids, banshees, etc)

Famous landmarks in Ireland include:

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

  • The Cliffs of Moher are also known as "Aillte an Mhothair" in Gaeilge, and are a spectacular natural formation along the coast of Ireland.
  • The cliffs have been formed through coastal erosion (wind and water erosion), and the makeup of these cliffs is a combination of sandstone and shale with the oldest rock near the base.
  • There are fossils in the layers of rock!
  • The Cliffs of Moher span 14 km long and are approximately 215 m tall at the tallest points!
  • As of 2021, over one million people visit per year!

Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

  • The Ring of Kerry spans 179 km as a circular route surrounding the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.
  • It takes approximately a full day's drive to complete the route, but it is suggested that you take a few days to experience the full beauty of the ring!
  • Along the Ring of Kerry, adventurers will find some of the tallest mountain ranges in Ireland, unique towns, the Skellig monastery (from the 6th century!), surfing along the coast, and fishing!

Skellig Islands, County Kerry

  • Skellig Islands are a grouping of magnificent islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • These islands were featured in the recent movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and if you have seen the movie, you will definitely recognize the main island, Skellig Michael.
  • Grey seals and rabbits were introduced to these islands in the 19th century and now thrive in this lush habitat.
  • On Skellig Michael, there sits a vacant monastery, built in 588 A.D.

Blarney Stone and Castle, County Cork

  • The Blarney Stone is located in the village of Blarney in County Cork and is a block of stone installed in the Blarney Castle in 1446 by King Dermot McCarthy.
  • Visitors visit the Castle and seek to kiss the Blarney Stone; it is said that a witch infused the stone with magic and anyone who kisses the stone will be endowed with the "gift of gab, eloquence, and flattery."
Ireland Activities:
jigsaw puzzles 

Ireland On-Line Jigsaw Puzzles
irish recipes

Irish Recipes
saint patrick

Saint Patrick's Day
National Day of Ireland

crafts, coloring, printables and more!