Irish 101 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Luck

The Claddagh ring is supposed to be a 300 year old tradition, originating in the fishing village of Claddagh in the 17th century. There are many different stories about its origin. The ring depicts two hands clutching a heart with a crown. The hands stand for friendship, the heart symbolizes love, and the crown, loyalty. It often used as an engagement ring or wedding band.

Answer: Explain the Christian Trinity

In the 5th century, St Patrick supposedly explained the concept of Christian Trinity with the visual help of a shamrock. The three leaves stood for God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - three, yet one.

Answer: Shoemaker

According to Irish folklore, the leprechaun is a wizened, mischievous male fairy who is associated with shoemakers. He often wears a red scarf, green suit and, most importantly, buckled shoes. Its mischievous tales warn about greed and get-rich-quick schemes.

Answer: Halloween

Samhain, today's Halloween, marked the beginning of the Celtic New Year. It was also a day to honor ancestors. There is doubt that the jack o'lantern is of Irish origin. The first record of the use of a jack o'lantern was noted in the U.S. during civil war time.

Answer: Harp

Harps were the dominant musical instrument in Ireland from before the 10th century. Harpists were socially important because they were retained by kings and chieftains until invasions and the Anglicisations of Irish culture reduced the social status of the harpists to travelling musicians by the beginning of the 19th century.

Answer: Celtic Cross

Legends say St. Patrick combined the symbol of the Christian cross with a circle to help Irish pagans move away from their belief in a sun god and a moon goddess and associate life and light with Christ.

Answer: 26

Only 26 land mammals are native to Ireland because it has been isolated from the European mainland by rising sea levels after the mid-Atlantic ice age about 14,000 BC. Some species such as the red fox, European Hedgehog, stoat, otter, pygmy shrew and badger are relatively common, while others (like the Irish hare, red deer and pine marten) are less common and generally seen only in certain national parks and nature reserves in the country.

Answer: 11th Century

The first reference to the Irish fiddle comes from the 11th century. The earliest known fiddle and bow, dating from this century, were excavated in the 18th century from under a house in Christchurch Road in Dublin. Fiddle music was traditionally a quick and lively yet sweet and pleasant music. Today it is appreciated all over the world.

Answer: Cat's nights

According to Irish legend, cat nights end on August 17. It is said that a witch could change into a cat eight days in a row and always return to her human form. On the ninth day (August 17) she was stuck in her cat shape. It is believed that this legend is linked to the notion that a cat has nine lives.

Answer: 150-225

According to the Irish Meteorological Service Online (MET Eirann), average rainfall varies by region. Wet days as in 1mm rain all day, range from 151 days on the East and South East coast to 225 days in the west. Yes, it does rain a lot in Ireland. However, most rain comes in showers and days are still enjoyable.