Special Sub-Topic: Geography of the Emerald Isle Click Here To Play: Geography of the Emerald Isle

Which is the smallest of Ireland's 32 counties?

Louth. Known as "The Wee Country", Louth is located at the north-east part of the Province of Leinster; its two major towns are Dundalk and Drogheda. Laois is the 23rd county by size, Leitrim 26th and Longford 29th, with Louth coming in at No. 32 (820 sq. kms)

Ulster province includes counties from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Which of the following is not in the Republic?

Derry. The province of Ulster consists of nine counties, including the counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan which are part of the Republic, as well as the six counties of Northern Ireland (Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry).

Which of the following is NOT a lake on the River Shannon?

Owel. The River Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles with a length of 240 miles, rising in Co. Cavan and draining into the Atlantic Ocean. Allen, Ree and Derg are the major Shannon lakes, while Lough Owel (located in Co. Westmeath) is part of the River Brosna catchment area, which drains into the Shannon.

Please name the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland.

Corrib. The largest lake on the island of Ireland is Lough Neagh, situated in Northern Ireland. Lough Corrib, located in Co. Galway, is linked to Galway Bay via the River Corrib; a canal links the lake to the neighbouring Lough Mask in Co, Mayo.

With a capacity of over 80,000, what is the name of Ireland's largest sports stadium?

Croke Park. Croke Park is the chief stadium and headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), which is the ruling body for the native games of Gaelic Football and Hurling. The grounds have also in recent years featured Soccer and Rugby International while Lansdowne Road is being rebuilt.

In which town is the giant Intel computer chip fabrication plant located?

Leixlip. Leixlip was home to Arthur Guinness father of the renowned "black stuff"; he initially brewed ales in the town before obtaining a lease on the St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin in 1759, where he first brewed the world renowned Guinness. Computer manufacturers Hewlett-Packard also have a major plant in the town.

Which of the following is situated on the River Shannon?

Limerick. Limerick is the fourth most populous city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin, Cork and Galway and is the only city of Ireland main river; other large town on the Shannon are Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon.

Baile Atha Cliath is the Irish name for which city?

Dublin. Baile Átha Cliath, meaning ‘Town of the Hurdled Ford’, is the Gaelic name of the Republic's largest and capital city. It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey. Founded as a Viking settlement, the city has been Ireland's primary city for most of the island's history since medieval times.

Which is the largest of Ireland's four provinces?

Munster. At 24,608 sq. kms, Munster is 127 sq. kms larger than next-largest Ulster; however, it is only third in terms of population, after Leinster and Ulster; it includes the counties of Kerry, Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Limerick and Waterford. Historically there was a fifth province, "Meath", but this is now part of Leinster.

Where will you find "The Hill of Tara", traditionally regarded as the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland?

Meath. The Hill of Tara is located in the Leinster county of Meath. Ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, it's reputed that you can see one-quarter of the island from its summit. (It should not be confused with "Tara Hill", which is to be found in Co. Wexford, in south-east Leinster). Not far distant is the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange, which has been designated a World Heritage Site.