9781422269640

Ireland is a country steeped in history, culture, and gastronomy. Its breathtaking landscapes, rugged coastlines, and dynamic cities attract millions of visitors every year as they seek to explore the country’s ancient past, experience its vibrant present, and savor its well-known cuisine. Ireland is divided into four provinces, each with its own unique blend of influences and culinary traditions informed by the land, the people, and the events that have shaped their development. The four provinces of Ireland are Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. Each of them has a distinct character, shaped by its geography, the resources it offers, and the story of its native residents.  Leinster: Located in the east of Ireland, Leinster is the most populous province with its twelve traditional counties. Bounded by the River Liffey to the north and the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the west, Leinster is home to the Republic of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, a city of slightly more than half a million people nestled on the Irish Sea coast.  Munster: Munster, in the south, is home to the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, among others. The city of Limerick is famous in the literary world for sharing its name with a form of poetry. A limerick is a five-line poem with an AABBA rhyming scheme. Although it’s not the birthplace of the limerick, Limerick hosts the annual Bring Your Limericks to Limerick international poetry competition.  Connacht: Connacht, in the west of Ireland, includes the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Roscommon and is the smallest of the four provinces. Agriculture and tourism are the biggest industries in Connacht, where visitors can enjoy a relaxing back-to nature holiday. INTRODUCTION

Irish

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