Ireland trivia: 45 questions and answers

Dublin. Dublin, on the River Liffey, is the capital and largest city. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

The Shannon. The Shannon, about 360 km long including its estuary, is the longest river in Ireland and in Britain and Ireland.

True. True. Irish (Gaeilge) is the national and first official language, and English is the second official language, although most people speak English every day.

Newgrange. Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers around 3100 BC. Skellig Michael, Cashel and Glendalough are early Christian and medieval sites, thousands of years younger.

The Vikings. The Vikings built a fortified base beside the 'Dubh Linn', the black pool, around 841. The Normans only arrived in 1169, and the Romans never ruled Ireland.

Brian Boru. Brian Boru's side won at Clontarf in 1014, but he was killed. Hugh O'Neill left Ireland in 1607, and Diarmait Mac Murchada invited the Normans, led later by Strongbow, in 1169.

False. False. Patrick was born in Britain. At 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and kept as a slave in Ireland, and he later returned as a missionary.

Potato blight, a plant disease. Potato blight, a plant disease, rotted the potato crop year after year. About one million people died and more than a million emigrated.

True. True. Ireland, the United Kingdom and Denmark all joined on 1 January 1973.

Bread soda and buttermilk. Bread soda and buttermilk react together and make the dough rise, so soda bread needs no yeast and no waiting.

Lamb or mutton. Irish stew is traditionally made with lamb or mutton, simmered with potatoes, onions and parsley. Beef is also common today.

Cabbage or kale. Colcannon is mashed potato mixed with cabbage or kale, spring onions and plenty of butter.

Coddle. Coddle is Dublin's dish. Boxty is a potato pancake from the north midlands, the blaa is a Waterford bread roll and barmbrack is a fruit bread.

False. False. Black pudding contains blood. White pudding is made in a similar way with oatmeal and pork, but without blood.

9,000 years. The lease was for 9,000 years, at 45 pounds a year.

True. True. Buying rounds is a pub custom. If someone buys you a drink, you are expected to buy the next round.

Waterford. Waterford was founded by Vikings in 914, and crystal was first made there in 1783. The modern Waterford Crystal company was founded there in 1947.

Galway. Galway was long ruled by fourteen merchant families, the Tribes of Galway.

True. True. Cork, on the River Lee, is the second-largest city after Dublin.

2. Ireland has 2 World Heritage Sites: Brú na Bóinne, with Newgrange, and Skellig Michael.

False. False. The cliffs are part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, but they are not a World Heritage Site. Ireland's two World Heritage Sites are Brú na Bóinne and Skellig Michael.

The Book of Kells. The Book of Kells, a decorated book of the Gospels made around 800, has been at Trinity College since 1661.

Sunlight shines down the passage into the inner chamber. Sunlight shines down the passage into the inner chamber for about 17 minutes, as its builders planned more than 5,000 years ago.

The gift of the gab. The gift of the gab, a talent for charming talk, is said to come to those who kiss the stone at the top of Blarney Castle.

True. True. The island appears as the planet Ahch-To in 'The Force Awakens' and 'The Last Jedi'.

False. False. Legend says Saint Patrick drove the snakes out, but scientists say snakes never reached Ireland after the last Ice Age.

A harp. A harp is the emblem of the Irish state, based on a medieval harp kept at Trinity College Dublin.

Turnips. Turnips were hollowed out and carved. Irish and Scottish emigrants took the custom to America, where pumpkins were easier to find.

True. True. The ban began on 29 March 2004 and covers enclosed workplaces such as pubs, restaurants and offices.

Cobh (then Queenstown). Cobh (then Queenstown), in Cork Harbour, was the last stop on 11 April 1912. 123 passengers boarded there.

1992, 1993 and 1994. Ireland won in 1992, 1993 and 1994, and as of 2026 it has won seven times in all.

False. False. The Constitution says that in such a case the Irish text prevails.

Fun, news and good company. Craic means fun, news and good company. 'What's the craic?' means 'What's new?' or 'How are things?'

Health. Sláinte means health, so it is like saying 'to your health'.

Town or home. Baile means town or home. Mountain is 'sliabh' (Slieve), lake is 'loch' (Lough) and island is 'oileán'.

The Gardaí. The Gardaí are the police, and one officer is a Garda. The Taoiseach is the head of government.

Go raibh maith agat. Go raibh maith agat means thank you. Dia duit is hello, slán go fóill is goodbye for now and le do thoil is please.

A hundred thousand welcomes. Céad míle fáilte means a hundred thousand welcomes, the famous Irish greeting.

True. True. 'Dia duit' means 'God be with you', and the reply 'Dia is Muire duit' means 'God and Mary be with you'.

False. False. 'Nollaig shona duit' means 'Happy Christmas'. For St Patrick's Day you say 'Lá fhéile Pádraig sona duit'.

On the left. On the left, both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland.

False. False. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and uses the pound sterling. The Republic uses the euro.

Kilometres per hour. Kilometres per hour, up to 120 km/h on motorways. In Northern Ireland they are in miles per hour.

112 and 999. In Ireland the official emergency numbers are 112 and 999. Both are free and work from any phone.

False. False. You do not tip for each drink ordered at the bar. In restaurants, about 10 to 15 percent is usual for good service.