Exposés sur l'Irlande

 THE GREAT FAMINE   (1845-1851)   (Lorea et Elorri)
Introduction :   The great famine is a very important period in Irish history. It began in 1845 and ended in 1851. It caused the death of more than one million people through starvation, and the emigration of one million Irish people.    

● Why did it happen ?    

In mid 1800’s Ireland was an agricultural country. At this time the Irish population was around 8 million people. It was one of the poorest countries in the western Europe. Only a quarter of the population could read and write. Life expectancy was short, usually 40 years. The best farmland was in the North and the East, but the majority of the population lived in the South and the West, where the land was more difficult to cultivate food (bogland, rocky or mountainous terrain). the only vegetable that grew well was the potato.  In the 17th and 18th centuries, Irish Catholics had been prohibited by the penal laws from purchasing or leasing land, from voting, from holding political office, from living in or within 5 miles (8 km) of a corporate town, from obtaining education, from entering a profession, and from doing many other things necessary for a person to succeed and prosper in society. Moreover the English conquered Ireland, several times, and took ownership of vast agricultural territory. Large chunks of land were given to Englishmen.These landowners in turn hired farmers to manage their holdings and then export food in England. The managers then rented small plots to the local population in return for labor and cash crops. Competition for land resulted in high rents and smaller plots. That’s why Irish people cultivated potatoes.  Indeed the potato doesn’t need a lot of space to grow and it is a very rich food. Plytophthora fungus arrived accidently from North America. But the weather during the summer of 1845 was very strange : very hot and then it rained for three weeks straight, this contributed at the development of the disease.Because of the potato dependency, when the potato blight began suddenly, it had devasting effects. The potato becomes black, and the leaves too so we cannot eat it anymore.    

● Why didn’t it stop ?   

The British officials believed the potato blight would not last for more than a year. Moreover the “Laissez faire” was the popular economic theory at the time and the country shouldn’t intervene in the private market. Because of this theory the British government didn’t help during the Irish Famine.   Landowners continued to export Irish agricultural produce during the Famine, so there was no food for the Irish but there was food to export. This caused huge tensions between poor Irish farmers and English landowners.  On average the English exported 100 000 pounds of food from Ireland during the Famine.   Another problem for the Irish people was paying rent to Landowners. If they managed to cultivate food they had to sell it in order to avoid eviction. So the Irish began to go to the ports where food was being sent to other countries in order to steal some food. In order to protect boat workers the British government sent troops to Ireland. During the Famine there was a famous saying “ If only the British would send us food instead of soldiers”. Some British officials sent aid to the Ireland secretly.    

● What were the consequences ? 

Food prices became higher and higher moreover they couldn’t fish because the Atlantic was too dangerous for their small boats, so people ate anything they could find even grass or roots.  Lots of people lost their homes. The British government created the Workhouse also called Poorhouse, for instance the Oliver Twist Workhouse. They were institutions where families who had absolutely nothing went. It was the last resort. Families were separated, conditions were very bad. In the Workhouse people had to work in order to get food, because British government didn’t want to give food to people if they didn’t work because they believed they were helping society by stopping laziness. But people didn’t have the physical energy to work and over 25% of them died. Women and girls made clothes and men and boys broke rocks. Those rocks were used to build roads which had no purpose. That’s why today we can see roads in Ireland which zigzag over the entire country going anywhere and stopping all of a sudden in the middle of nowhere.  During the Famine, there were over 2 740 trips made between Ireland, Canada, Australia and the United States. On average 300 Irish people arrived in the US every day. They travelled in bad conditions and overcrowded ships.  That’s why diseases and fever spread rapidly. So 66,6% of them died. This ships were called coffin ships.   The population in Ireland dropped dramatically. Relations between Ireland and Britain went from bad to worse.      

● How did they manage to overcome the famine ? 

Thanks to other countries’ help and private help Ireland overcame the famine :   _ In 1846 the Quakers (a religious organisation) sent food and clothing to Irish people. They also established soup kitchens (a place which gives food to people for free). _ In 1847 the British relief association collected money in England, America and Australia, they raised 470 000 pounds. The same year they wanted to send 200 000 pounds for children’s education in the west of Ireland. But the British government refused to allow them to send all the money. So the association eventually sent a smaller amount of money. _ The help for Ireland came also from distant and foreign countries : India, Italy, Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and France.        

Conclusion : 

This famine leaves its mark on the Irish history. Contrary to popular opinion the famine was not only due to the potato blight, but also to unfair politics of the British government which discriminated Irish people and specifically Irish Catholics.    

                              MYTHS AND HEROES

It’s known that Ireland’s myths and legends are deeply rooted in the culture of the country. It all began with Celtics and druids societies that believed in the power of magic. Back in medieval times, those societies, women and children believed that magical creatures inhabited the forests around their villages, lurking in the hollows and lying in wait. Nowadays these beliefs are still told to children and it keeps the folklore alive across the country. We will talk about two myths, the Giant’s Causeway and the children of Lir, and then about three fairies, leprechauns, changelings and banshee.

I Giant‘s causeway           

According to the Legend, Irish giant Finn MacCool was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn accepted the challenge and built a land bridge, a Giant’s Causeway, across the North Channel from Ireland to Scotland to attack Benandonner.

Upon completion, Finn headed across the Giant’s Causeway but when he caught sight of Benandonner he realized his foe was a much larger giant so he hid while he rethought his strategy. Finn’s wife, Úna, cleverly dressed him as a baby and laid him in a cradle at the Irish end of the Giant’s Causeway. When Benandonner advanced and saw the huge “baby,” he assumed the baby’s father, Finn, was a giant among giants and promptly ran back to Scotland in fear, destroying the Giant’s Causeway behind him so Finn couldn’t follow.

II Children of Lir         

Many years ago, lived a King and Master of the sea called Lir. He had a beautiful wife, Eva and four children (eldest son Aodh, a daughter called Fionnula and twin boys, Fiachra and Conn). But one day Eva died, Lir and the children were very sad. As the kids needed a mother Lir married Aoife, Eva's sister, who possessed magical powers.

At the beginning they all lived happily, but soon Aoife became very jealous of the love the King had for his children, she wanted him for herself only. So she took the children to a lake, put a spell on them and turned the kids into beautiful swans. She forced them to live 900 years as swans; three hundred on Lake Derravaragh, three hundred on Straits of Moyle, and three hundred more on Isle of Inish Glora. The spell would be broken when the bell of St. Patrick's arrival would ring.

When the children did not return home that evening, the king went to look for them beside the lake. But all he saw were four beautiful swans. To his amazement one of the swans called him. It was Fionnula. She told him what Aoife had done to them. Lir became very angry and banished her from his kingdom. Lir spent all his time beside the lake talking to his children and listening to their singing. When Lir grew old and died the children were very sad.

 After 900 years, the children finally heard what they wanted to hear for a long time: the ring of the first Christian bell. They followed the bell to a man called Caomhog. He was stunned when he saw four beautil swans turned into 900-year-old humans. Caomhog listened to their sad story and baptised them before their human bodies passed away so that their legend and their names could live on forever. The day they died, Camhog knew that the Children of Lir were reunited with their loving father and mother.

III Leprechauns                   

What is a Leprechaun?

Legend has it that a leprechaun is a type of fairy that stands about as tall as a three-year-old child. A leprechaun is usually described as a bearded man who wears a green suit and a hat. It’s believed there are no female leprechauns to be found. According to stories, the leprechaun is a shoemaker who spends most of his time making shoes. In fact, some say when a leprechaun is near, you can hear the tap-tap-tapping of his tiny hammer (as he drives nails into shoes). These little men are also said to be very mischievous and enjoy playing tricks on those they meet.

The leprechaun is thought to be a mythical creature. But old Irish tales say this little mischief-maker is real and was first spotted back in the 700s. As for its name, some suggest that the word “leprechaun” comes from the old Irish word luchorpán, which means small body. Others say it developed from an Irish word that means shoemaker.

What About That Pot of Gold?

According to legend, every leprechaun has a pot of gold that he hides deep in the Irish countryside. The leprechaun must give this treasure away to anyone who captures him, but it’s not so easy. The story goes that the sneaky leprechaun can fool a person into looking away for an instant. And just like that, he vanishes into his forest home and takes his treasure with him.

There are proofs that people believed deeply in this creatures because in a small Irish town called Carlingford, leprechauns are an officially protected species. A law was passed in 2009 to keep the little creatures safe. According to locals, the last living leprechauns – all 236 of them – live in this region.

Where Can I See Leprechauns?

We can’t promise anything, but there are a few places around the world dedicated to the leprechaun:

Leprechaun Park: Mill Ends Park in Oregon is the world’s smallest park. Truth be told, the park is just a flower pot full of plants in the middle of a road. But, besides that, the park is said to be home to a leprechaun colony. The story of leprechauns living here dates back to 1947.

Leprechaun Cavern: In the town of Carlingford, Ireland, there are underground caverns that visitors can walk through and it’s said you can see these creatures travel in these underground tunnels.

Leprechaun Museum: Found in Dublin, Ireland, this museum provides information about leprechauns beginning from the first ever sighting back in the eighth century to modern day.

IV Changelings                  

While some fairies were perceived as crafty but harmless, other were considered to be be quite malevolent. In particular Irish Changelings, which were believed to be the children of evil fairies, trolls or elves. It is told that the cruel and capricious parents of changelings, in the dead of night, would slink into humans homes to steal the pretty human babies and leave their evil one behind.

Human babies had smooth skins, bright eyes and rosy cheeks whereas changelings had gaunt cheeks, thin, wrinkled lips, and beady dark eyes and were really nosy. These changelings tended to cause great distress to their new human “parents”.Little pity was felt for these infant fairy folk, who were cruelly abandoned to a world that wanted nothing of them.

These Gaelic myths inspired some religious superstitions ; for example it was believed that human babies that were not baptized or babies who were adored by their parents were at greater risk of being changed. The lesson seemed to be that if parents wanted to keep their babies they had to honor God through religious rituals and restrain their affection to their children.

V Banshee                 

Banshee means ‘Faerie woman’.  A Banshee is known in Ireland as a female spirit who wails outside a home to warn of the imminent death of a family member.  The Banshee does not bring or cause death but warns loved ones that a death is near which gives the family a chance to prepare. Often heard before she is seen, her wailing is that high-pitched that nobody would dare to willingly attempt to witness this terrifying spirit.

Stories of the Banshee have been passed on through the generations for centuries. Some say that the Banshee is the ghost of a young woman who was brutally killed and died so horribly that she now watches families and loved ones warning them of an impending death.

According to Legend, the Banshee can also take on many forms. However, in Ireland, she has been most commonly seen as either a beautiful, young woman with long, flowing silver/white (sometimes red) hair or as an old woman in rags with dirty grey hair, long fingernails and sharp-pointed rotten teeth. The Banshee eyes are noticeably red from crying so much.

The fear she instills in people who have the bad luck of hearing her is always the same. It is a most terrifying wailing.

The Banshee is famous for her long, melancholy keening, which is an Irish word which is used to describe the lament that women used to do over the body of a deceased person to ward off evil spirits.

Finally, legends are rooted in the culture of Ireland and they capture the mind of children like those of grown-ups. Some people would find it very silly, however the majority believe in them. If someone claims to have seen or spoken to an Irish Fairy, their tale is usually dismissed as fanciful. The thing is, sightings of fairies are so commonplace that it would be remiss of us to ignore them all completely. One thing is certain, these magical, some would say mythical, creatures are synonymous with Ireland, and they will continue to fascinate us until the end of time.

DUBLIN

Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the largest and more populated city in this country. It is located in the province of Leinster on the east coast of Ireland, at the mouth of the River Liffey which slices the city in two and bordered on the South by the Wicklow Mountains. The city has an urban area population of 1M and it is a very touristic city. Residing in a wide bay, Dublin lies between Howth in the north and the headland of Dalkey to the south. Although the capital is quite large, the city center is easily explored on-foot and a convenient transport network takes you wherever you wish to go.

The name comes from “Dubh Linn” which means oil spill. That is due to the dark color of the river that splits in two the city. Dublin was founded by the vikings nearly 841 year as a military base and a slave trade center. Dublin became the capital of Ireland in 1169 and so it has been the capital of this country since middle Ages.

Actually, Dublin was inhabited by wealthy Normans and farming which made Dublin even more powerful just as trade thanks to the fact that this city is located in the coast.

Since the day in which Dublin was proclaimed the capital of the country, it started to develop, becoming bigger and richer. Nowadays, this capital is considered as the European Silicon Valley and some huge companies such as Google or Facebook have settle there.

Besides, it is considered as a young capital due to the fact that half of the population is less than 30.

The city is structured in several neighborhoods:

• The north of Liffey river is commonly known as popular neighborhood, and named Docklands. There are numerous markets, theaters and writers' museum.
• Temple Bar is located right beside the Liffey. This neighborhood is the best place to stay in Dublin for nightlife. Temple Bar is also very central, and so well located for exploring the city as a whole. It includes some great galleries, cafes and cultural spots to enjoy aside from the general atmosphere of drinking.
• Georgian district is filled of Georgian Architecture which is a Dublin's icon. Here we can find the best of the colorful, ornate doorways, which were the doorways of the houses of the best artists. That's where Trinity College is.
• The Liberties is an area in central Dublin and one of the most historic working-class neighborhoods. Some of Dublin’s best-known sights and attractions are located in The Liberties. You can explore the vestiges (huellas, restos) of the old medieval city through Dublin's castle and St Patrick's Cathedral.

Dublin’s castle

Built in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, the Castle was originally developed as a medieval fortress, a prison and a treasury under the orders of King John of England. Then it served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland.

The castle was rebuilt in the 17th century because of a major fire. It is now a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. The building is also used for State dinners and most significantly, the inauguration of the presidents of Ireland.

Trinity university

Trinity college Dublin is the oldest university of Ireland and it is recognized internationally as Ireland’s premier university. It was built in 1592 under the orders of Queen Elisabeth I. This College is widely considered to be the most prestigious university in Ireland. It operates through three faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, and the faculty of Health Sciences.

The Library of Trinity College is the largest library in Ireland. It contains over 6.2 million printed volumes and significant quantities of manuscripts, including the Book of Kells. This book was, by far, the Library's most famous book in Ireland's greatest cultural treasure and the world's most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th century's book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ.

The Long Room holds thousands of rare, and in many cases very early, volumes. In the 18th century, the college received the Brian Boru harp, one of the three surviving medieval Gaelic harps, and a national symbol of Ireland, which is now housed in the library.

St Patrick's Cathedral

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in 1191and it is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. This cathedral is the tallest and the largest church in Ireland. Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years. The building is a busy place that serves as a place of worship, a visitor attraction and as a host for many events.

Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin

Founded in 1796 as Dublin's 'New Gaol', Kilmainham operated as a prison until 1924. It is the largest preserved Victorian jail in Europe. During its history, the gaol contained not only ordinary criminals including women and children, but also political prisoners.

During the famine, some people committed crimes in order to be admitted into the prison, where they were at least guaranteed a basic diet. The Gaol was so crowded in those years that prisoners slept in the corridors.

Besides, most of this prison's cells didn't have windows so the prisoners were given, each 15 days, a candle to light up their cell. In this jail, you can find prisoner crafts, drawings, letters, photographs and all sorts of fascinating memories.

CONCLUSION

We can say that Dublin has a lot of history. Its streets are a fusion of both past and present. In fact, a 1,000-year-old mix that has inspired writers, visitors and artists.

From the city’s Viking roots by the banks of the river Liffey, to its atmospheric medieval churches as St Patrick's cathedral along gracious Georgian streets, this European capital is definitely worth visiting.