Think You Know Ireland? Think Again 🇮🇪
Sure, we all know about Guinness, St. Patrick, and the whole leprechaun carry-on. But Ireland is full of odd, brilliant, and downright mad stories that even the most diehard history nerds might not know.
Here are 21 Irish facts that might just blow your socks off – or at least make you say, “No way, that can’t be true.” (Spoiler: it is.)
1. Ireland was once a tropical paradise
About 350 million years ago, Ireland sat near the equator, covered in lush rainforests. You can still spot fossilised tree ferns in the Burren and Co. Clare.
2. An Irishman invented colour photography
John Joly from Co. Offaly created the Joly Colour Process in the 1890s — one of the first working methods of colour photography.
3. The Irish diaspora outnumbers us 14 to 1
Over 70 million people claim Irish ancestry. Want to know why? Check out the story of the Irish diaspora.
4. Halloween is Irish
The Celtic festival of Samhain is the true origin of Halloween. Discover more about Ireland’s Celtic roots.
5. Ireland has Europe’s oldest working lighthouse
Hook Lighthouse in Co. Wexford has been operating since the 1100s.
6. Muckanaghederdauhaulia is our longest place name
This Connemara spot means “piggery between two briny places.” Try spelling it twice!
7. More Nobel Literature Prizes per capita than anywhere
Yeats, Shaw, Beckett, Heaney. Celebrate Seamus Heaney with our favourite quotes.
8. The oldest pub in the world is in Athlone
Sean’s Bar has been serving pints since 900 AD. It’s even in the Guinness Book of Records.
9. Ireland never had snakes
St. Patrick didn’t banish them — there were none to begin with. Debunk 5 Irish myths you probably believe.
10. The Titanic was built in Belfast
You can still visit the incredible Titanic Belfast museum today.
11. Ireland’s symbol is a harp, not a shamrock
The harp is the real emblem. Explore the shamrock’s history.
12. Ogham is Ireland’s ancient writing system
Read more on Ogham and early Irish writing.
13. No “yes” or “no” in Irish
In Irish, we respond with the verb. Great for arguments!
14. St. Valentine is buried in Dublin
Visit his remains in Whitefriar Street Church. Romance, Irish-style.
15. More Irish in America than in Ireland
Explore famous Irish Americans — from JFK to Conan O’Brien.
16. Hurling is older than the pyramids
This ancient Gaelic sport is over 3,000 years old — and still fierce today.
17. Newgrange is older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids
Discover Newgrange and Ireland’s ancient sites.
18. Kings were crowned by a roaring stone
The Lia Fáil on the Hill of Tara was said to roar for the rightful king. Read about Ireland’s High Kings.
19. The Irish passport is one of the strongest globally
Read: Irish passport ranked 4th most powerful in the world.
20. We crown a goat every year
Yes, the Puck Fair is real. And brilliant.
21. U2 were mistaken for a Christian band
They played churches across the US — and people thought Bono was preaching. Classic.
How many did you know?
Got more than 15? You’ve earned full Irish bragging rights 🍀
Less than 5? You owe yourself a trip to a proper trad session and a few hours down an Irish history rabbit hole.
Tag a mate who needs to brush up on their Irish facts — or share your own mind-blowing one in the comments!