9 Categories 1 Country Trivia Quiz

Answer: Skibbereen

"The Meaning of Liff" was written by Douglas Adams and published in 1983. It parodies the topoynmy and etymology of place names around the British Isles. Douglas Adams is also responsible for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

Answer: Saint Brendan

Saint Brendan was also known as "Brendan the Navigator". The "Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbott" is a 9th century manuscript that tells of Brendan's journey. In 1976-77, British Explorer Tim Severin recreated this voyage using only materials that would have been available to St. Brendan thus establishing that the journey was possible.

Answer: Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy featured lead singer Phil Lynott and for a while guitarist Gary Moore. They achieved two No. 1 hit singles in Ireland; "Whiskey in the Jar" and "The Boys Are Back in Town", and four UK top tens.

Answer: The Commitments

All of the answers given are novels by Roddy Doyle. "The Commitments", "The Van" and "The Snapper" are a trilogy about the Rabitte family and have all been made into movies. Colm Meaney played Mr. Rabitte in all three movies.

Answer: Jonathan Swift

"Gulliver's Travels" was published in 1726 and is a satire on human nature and "traveller's tales" (the tendency of writers to embellish their accounts of journeys). It tells the story of Lemuel Lilliput's journeys to far distant lands including Lilliput (tiny people), Brobdingnag (giants) and others.

Answer: Riverdance

Featuring Jean Butler and Michael Flatley, "Riverdance" was a seven minute performance piece used at the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. It was seen live by 4000 people and on TV by an estimated 300 million viewers. The stage act has since been seen live by over 25 million people worldwide.

Answer: Bob Geldof

Bob Geldof was also lead singer of the band "The Boomtown Rats". Combined, Band Aid and "Live Aid" raised over $250 million world wide for famine relief, most of which was spent in Ethiopia.

Answer: Francis Beaufort

The Beaufort scale went through revisions even during Beaufort's life. In the 1831 version;
0 - Calm
1 - Light Air
2 to 6 - Light, Gentle, Moderate, Fresh, Strong Breeze
7 to 10 - Moderate, Fresh, Strong, Whole Gale
11 - Storm
12 - Hurricane

Answer: Guinness

The first Guinness was brewed in 1759 and was first exported from its home country in 1769. It has expanded to be brewed in over 50 countries and sold in over 120 countries. However the best place to drink it is at it's home.
The Guinness Book of World Records has been published annually since 1955. The book itself holds a record as the best-selling copyrighted book of all time.

Answer: Ireland

So many famous people have come from this small island. With a population of just over 4 million it has certainly punched above its weight on the world stage.
1. Skibbereen is on the south coast of IRELAND.
2. Saint Brendan was from IRELAND.
3. Thin Lizzy is a band from IRELAND.
4. "The Commitments" was set in Dublin, IRELAND.
5. Jonathan Swift was from IRELAND.
6. Riverdance was first performed in IRELAND and featured Irish dancing.
7. Bob Geldof is from IRELAND.
8. Francis Beaufort was from IRELAND.
9. The home of Guinness is IRELAND.