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Homepage Apply Online Now About Ireland 4 Month Program 12 Month Program Eligibility Jobs Housing Eurail Language Courses FAQs Related Links Participant Comments Newsletters Info Sessions Mailing List Terms and Conditions	About Ireland Ireland is at an exciting stage of development. Change is everywhere and you will feel the dynamic energy that has come not just from the local Irish spirit, but from the multi ethnic mix of accents and cultures that are now making Ireland their home. Be part of this change from the inside by joining the Work in Ireland program and meeting and making friends with young people from all over the world! Heritage Ireland is a modern country with an ancient past. The first settlers came here as far back as 2500 BC and since then Ireland has played host to the Celts, Vikings, Normans, and English. Remnants of that past are visible in the landscape whether in standing stones, fairy rings, lake dwellings, beehive huts, viking settlements , monastic communities, round towers, medieval towns , turreted castles or fine examples of Georgian, Victorian architecture. Take time during the program to visit some of the sites and museums around the country, but taking up some of our Around Ireland Tours. Language and Culture Ireland also has its own language, one of the family of celtic languages. Irish, as we call it here or Gaelic as it is often known abroad is related to Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Breton (from Brittany in Northern France), Cornish and Manx. Irish and English are the two ‘official’ languages of the state so all road signs, government publications etc appear in both languages. These days while only a small percentage of people, mainly along the west coast, use Irish as their first language in everyday communications, there is a vibrant Irish language television station (TG4), a radio station, schools and writers. Many English expressions and words used in Ireland are influenced by the Irish language. Music and Entertainment Traditional Irish culture’s biggest export is music and in a way is a common theme running though our past and present. From the distinctive sound of the Irish fiddle, to the anthems of U2, from the mood music of Enya to the latest rock or boy band, Irish music and song continues to be played, listened to and recorded in all corners of Ireland. Check out the clubs and pubs and see USIT for the inside track! There’s more to the scene than Riverdance or Westlife... Truly. Sport If you are interested in outdoors activities, then Ireland has much to offer; hill walking, biking, pony-trekking and even surfing! Soccer, rugby, horseracing, cricket are all popular but none as much as the traditional amateur Irish sports of Gaelic football and hurling which are not to be missed. Every townland and county in Ireland will have local teams and matches and if you are lucky to be in Ireland in the summer months you can buy a ticket for Croke Park, the national stadium, to see the provincial championships! Politics The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy with Dublin as the seat of government. There are five parties represented in the Dil ( the Irish parliament) and the Prime Minister is known as the Taoiseach (pronounced tea-shock). Local representatives are known as TDs. The President, is more an honorary figure who does not have the political power of the Prime Minister.
Work and Travel Ireland, 19/21 Aston Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland.   Phone: 011-353-1-602-1788   Email Us

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