Ireland Life Expectancy The life expectancy for the

Ireland

Life Expectancy • The life expectancy for the Irish man is 78. For a woman it is 83.

Religion • Christianity is the largest religion in the Republic of Ireland based on baptisms. • Irish Christianity is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church which has 84. 2% of the population as followers. • Most churches are organized on an all-Ireland basis which includes both Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland.

Language • Irish (Gaeilge), sometimes referred to as Irish Gaelic or just Gaelic. • Is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European languages family. • Originating in Ireland historically spoken by Irish people.

Holidays • Ireland’s large Catholic population crowds churches across the country for midnight mass on Christmas Eve, as well as for Christmas Day mass. • Dec. 26 marks St. Stephen’s Day, a national holiday honoring the Christian martyr, which is celebrated with traditional ceremonies, feasts and trips to pubs across Ireland.

Traditional Recipe Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage • • 4 1⁄2 lbs corned beef brisket 2 medium onions, quartered 1 head cabbage, cut in small wedges 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons vinegar 3 tablespoons sugar 2 cups water • • Directions Combine ingredients in crock pot with cabbage on top. Cut meat to fit, if necessary. Cover and cook on low 10 -12 hours; high 6 -7 hours or auto 6 -8 hours.

Tourist Attraction The Burren • Karst landscape in County Clare, Ireland. • One of six National Parks in Ireland the smallest.