Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is the land of green grass and rain. Divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom), its very moderate climate allows for its very lush vegetation. Winters are milder and summers are cooler than they would be at other areas of similar latitude. Although in 1801 Ireland was absorbed into the United Kingdom, it then gained its independence by waging a war of independence during the early 20th century. Ever since then, Europe has had two English speaking countries. What you may have already known (and what we are here to discuss) is Ireland’s disproportionally large impact on the rest of the world in terms of culture. The reason for this is actually a bit bleak. Because of a massive diaspora during the 1800s, millions of Irish left their country and took their culture with them. This was largely due to famine and disease and it has even been said that more Irish people now live outside of Ireland than within it. While that may or may not be true, what we do know is that Ireland’s population has still not recovered. These are 25 reasons Ireland gave the world a lot more than just leprechauns!
Featured Image: Eric via Flickr
All polar bears alive today can trace their ancestry back to one brown bear that lived in Ireland 50,000 years ago
Source: wired.co.uk, Image: wikipedia Nigeria consumes more Guinness beer than Ireland does
Source: globalpost.com, Image: wikipedia Since the Bronze Age, Ireland has had its own olympics known as the Tailteann Games
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia The term "boycott" is derived from Irish Captain James Boycott
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia Sean's Bar opened in 900AD and never closed. It's still running today!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 
