Ireland

SHORT INFORMATION

Overview of Ireland

Officially name: The Republic of Ireland

Capital: Dublin

Largest city: Dublin

Official language: Irish, English

Government: Constitutional republic, Parliamentary democracy

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Irish Tea, Ireland's National Beverage

Irish tea just might be the national beverage of Ireland. Believe it or not, the Irish drink more tea per capita than any other country in the world. There are over 4 million people in Ireland and 3 million are tea drinkers. The average Irishman or Irishwoman drinks about 4 to 6 cups a day.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

Easter traditions in Ireland

In Ireland, people dance in the streets on Easter Sunday. The dancers compete for the prize of a cake.

In Ireland Easter is a very sacred time of fasting and prayer. On Easter Saturday at church hundreds of small candles are lit off the Paschal candle that has been blessed by the priest. On Easter Sunday a quiet meal is eaten at home. Traditional Easter meal of leek soup and roasted spring lamb.