L 9_Northern Ireland_Раева students'

Students’ Country Studies. Lesson 9. The aim of this lesson is to help you to describe major geographical and cultural points concerning Northern Ireland. You will learn to distinguish between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. You will investigate the problem from political and geographical points of view mostly.

1. Pronunciation drill.

Irish C eltic Ulster Ireland Eire Northern Ireland the Irish Republic the Republic of Ireland Catholic Protestant the Irish language Ulster Scots Counties: Fermanagh Tyrone Londonderry Antrim Down Armagh

Belfast Dublin Antrim Armagh Ballycastle Ballymoney Ballymena Banbridge Belleek Bangor Carrickfergus Coleraine Cookstown Downpatrick Dungannon Enniskillen Larne Limavady Lisburn Londonderry

Lurgan Magherafelt Newcastle Newry Omagh Portadown Portstewart Portrush Strabane Warrenpoint Black Mountain Slieve Donard Mourne Mountains The Sperrin Mountains The Giant’s Causeway

Lough Neagh Lough Foyle Belfast Lough Lower Lough Erne, Upper Lough Erne Lagan Bann Mourne Bush Blackwater Foyle

b) Translate the following geographical names using point a):

Ольстер, Ирландия (остров), Республика Ирландия, Северная Ирландия, Дублин, Белфаст, Лисберн, Арма, Каррикфергус, Фермана, р. Банн, Эннискиллен, Лох-Фойл, Лимавади, Тирон, Антрим, Ньюри, Банбридж, р. Морн, Ома, Страбан, р. Блэкуотер, Балликасл, Махерафелт, горы Сперрин, Данганнон, Белфаст-Лох, Колрейн,р. Буш, Слив Донард, Лурган, Ньюкасл, Лох Эрн, Тропа Великана (Дорога гигантов), Лох-Ней, р. Лаган.

2. Read the phrases in the order of their Russian equivalents:

the sovereign state	наивысшая точка в Северной Ирландии
harmoniously combine many styles	независимое государство
historical and heritage sites	это часто приводило к недоразумениям (путанице)
the highest peak in Northern Ireland	я не считаю себя англичанином
they delight everyone, over and over!	умопомрачительные ирландские ландшафты
high humidity and long hours of sunshine	высокая влажность и долгий световой день
one of the best gardening climates in the world	история морского флота и мифология
It has often led to confusion	один из лучших климатов для садоводства
breathtaking Irish scenery	одни из прекраснейших парков, которые я когда-либо видел
maritime history and mythology	они снова и снова восхищают всех
contemporary gardens with sculpture and water features	гармонично сочетают несколько стилей
I don’t associate myself with those from England	современные сады со скульптурами и элементами водного дизайна
some of the finest gardens I've seen	места исторического и культурного наследия

3. Complete this table using the map and the names from the pronunciation drill. Show all the geographical objects on the map.

County	Cities	Mountains (mind the article)	Rivers (mind the article)	Lakes(mind the article)
Fermanagh
Tyrone
Londonderry
Antrim
Down
Armagh

4. Complete these texts using the map and the handout. Reproduce them by heart (one at a time).

   • Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. The other countries are _____________, S____________and_________. Northern Ireland is situated in the _____-e____ of the island of_________, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the __________ and____________.

• Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are two different countries. Though they have much in common, they have definite differences. The capital of Northern Ireland is _____________. The capital of the Republic of Ireland is ______________.

• There are six counties in Northern Ireland. They are: _____________, ____________, ______________,______________,______________, and _____________. The main languages spoken in Northern Ireland are__________, _________and _______________.

• There are several lakes in Northern Ireland which are called ‘___________’. The greatest one is ______________ in the centre of the country. Besides there is ______________in the east, _________and _________________in the west and _________________in the North of the country.

• There are several mountain chains in Northern Ireland: the __________Mountains, the __________Mountains and the__________ Mountains. _____________ is part of the ________ Mountains and the highest peak in Northern Ireland and in the wider province of Ulster.

5. Read the clues and identify the city.

• The port in Londonderry near Coleraine and Portrush is Portsteward.

• The city that is situated not far from Upper Lough Erne is Beleek.

• The city by Lough Neagh and has the same name as the county it is in is Antrim.

• The capital of County Tyrone is Omagh.

• The capital of County Fermanagh is Enniskillen.

• The city in County Down closest to Belfast Lough is Bangor.

6. Work in pairs. Ask each other questions based on the data in the table and answer them. E.g. ‘What is the capital of N. Ireland?’, ‘What is the highest peak in N. Ireland?’ ‘Where does the Foyle flow?’, ‘Where is …situated?’, etc.

7. Read the text (and the information from the handout “BEING NORTHERN IRISH: an identity crisis?”and match the terms (mind the articles):

British	is are	people who live in the UK
Ireland		the English name of the island close to Great Britain
Eire		the Irish name of the island close to Great Britain
Erin		a poetic name for Ireland
English		people who live in England
Northern Irelander		a person who lives in Northern Ireland
Irish		people who live in the Republic of Ireland

Éire (pronounced /ˈɛərə/) is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and the sovereign state of the same name. The modern Irish Éire evolved from the Old Irish word, which was the name of a goddess of Ireland.

Éire is simply the name for Ireland in the Irish language, and sometimes used in English, Erin [‘iərin] is a common poetic name for Ireland.

8. Listening. Listen to the text read by the teacher and mark the statements as true or false:

1. There are few parks in Northern Ireland.

2. The parks of Northern Ireland delight their visitors from different countries.

3. Northern Ireland has one of the best gardening climates in the world.

4. It never stops raining in the east of the country.

5. Gulf Stream Drift creates mild climate.

6. The soil in Northern Ireland is very dry, it’s hard to grow anything.

7. There is one strict style (the so-called English style) all the gardens must follow.

8. Mount Stewart park combines many styles.

9. Read the information for tourists and the legend about one of the most popular places in N. Ireland – the Giant’s Causeway. Then translate the sentences below making use of the texts.

a) Situated on the North coast of Ireland (about two miles north of Bushmills), the Giant’s Causeway is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption; however the legend is more convincing for those who prefer a more colourful story.

The site plays a major part of Ireland’s heritage, attracting visitors from around the world each year since it was first documented in 1693 and realistic sketches were published in 1740. The Giant’s Causeway has often been described as the Eighth Wonder of the World and was declared as Ireland’s first World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1986. Once you have visited, you will quickly see why it has become Ireland’s top tourist attraction.

Visitors each year marvel at the beauty of the 40,000 unique hexagonal basalt columns which form stepping stones that disappear downwards into the sea. The site is also popular with geologists and, according to them, the Giant’s Causeway was formed some 50-60 million years ago as a result of repeat outpourings of volcanic basalt, during the Tertiary period of the earth’s evolution. Today the Causeway Coast is still an important location for geological study.

b) This is the place to have as many adventures as you wish. If it’s an adrenalin-rush you’re after, what about scuba-diving, gliding in the rolling thermal currents over Magilligan; riding the rolling waves as they come off the Atlantic . . . or stepping out onto the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede for a very dangerous walk between the safety of the shoreline cliff and a nearby island? The choice is yours - and there are hundreds of choices to make.

You don't have to be 'Action Man' to get active in the Causeway Coast and Glens.  Our activity options include everything from art to hovercrafting . . . and a whole lot in between.  Whether you plan to polish your perfomance or try your hand at something new, there is always an activity here that's perfect for you.

Our activities aren't only for tourists, so they can be a great way to meet the locals too and to make holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

c) Once upon a time there lived a giant called Finn... But across the sea in Scotland there was a rival giant called Benandonner.

T he two Giants hollered across the sea of Moyle, each demanding a trial of strength. This was agreed, and hospitable Finn offered to make the contest possible by building a rocky causeway between the two countries. But to do this he needed some helpers...

Finn built a path across the sea from County Antrim to Benandonner's lair - Fingal's cave on the island of Staffa, but the work was so laborious that Finn fell asleep with exhaustion...

 Oonagh was Finn's wife, a giantess, she woke up early the next morning to find Finn sound asleep. Then she heard the sound of thunderous footsteps... and saw the mighty Benandonner approaching. He was truly gigantic. Finn would be no match against this Scottish giant. Quick thinking Oonagh covered the sleeping Finn with a nightgown and bonnet... "Where's Finn?" bellowed Benandonner, "Where is the coward hiding?" He peered at the sleeping Finn. "Be quiet," Oonagh warned Benandonner, "or you'll waken the bairn!"Benandonner panicked. If the child was this big, how much bigger might Finn be? He did not stay to find out... He hastily retreated across the causeway, destroying it in his wake...

• Give the Celtic variants of these words: cave- lair, child - bairn, lake – lough.

• Translate the following sentences:

1. Тропа Великана – культурное наследие Северной Ирландии, привлекающее множество туристов. Она представляет собой около 40000 примыкающих друг к другу базальтовых колонн.

2. Ученые считают, что Тропа – результат извержения вулкана. Но существует легенда, что Тропа была создана ирландским великаном Финном, желавшим сразиться с великаном из Шотландии.

3. Туристы, посещающие Тропу Великана, могут также заняться подводным плаваньем, попробовать себя в разных видах искусства, посетить разнообразные кафе и рестораны и пообщаться с населением.

10. Translation game. One student acts as a speaker another one - as an interpreter. The main job of the speaker is to give enough information and to show everything on the map. The job of the interpreter is to give good translation into Russian:

• Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The currency used here is the British pound. The capital city is Belfast. The 'buzzing' capital city and its suburbs has an extensive range of shops, high class night clubs, old-time pubs, thriving theatres, plentiful parks, art galleries, exotic restaurants, wide ranging leisure centres and much more to explore by the tourist.

• County Antrim, the 'stunning' Ulster county provides breathtaking Irish scenery and many natural attractions to enjoy, this includes its famous coastline, beautiful glens and the Giants Causeway, a world heritage site; it has excellent holiday resorts and many high standard visitors vacationing facilities.

• County Down contains Ireland's Mourne Mountains, rolling Irish countryside, intermingling forests, delightful parks and resorts, fascinating historical and heritage sites as well as many other visitor attractions providing excellent tourism and holidaying opportunities for any visitor.

• The range of themes in museums is enormous - from maritime history and mythology to transport and trade; Irish language and Ulster linen to militaria and music; old schools and old mills to cutting-edge art and science. Many have a community focus providing fascinating insights into a locality's character and history. Others have specialist appeal, such as the remarkable choice devoted to regimental history, agriculture, ancient crafts and old vehicles. Where else on earth would you find exhibits devoted to; vintage bicycles; antique lace; eel-fishing; canals; Victorian education; the Plantation of Ulster; retail drapery; ancient sewers; Gulliver's Travels: even potato crisps!?

Home assignment:

Create a report (3-5 minutes). Choose one of the following themes. Prepare a list of new words for your report (word-transcription-translation) – it will help your groupmates to work as your translators.

1. Belfast.

2. The Giant’s Causeway.

3. Slieve Donard.

4. Lough Neagh.

5. Lough Erne. 

6. The Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge. 

7. The Mountains of Mourne. 

8. The Walls of Derry. 

NI Map

NI Clear Map

NI Counties

NI Physical Map

Supplement for task 7.

BEING NORTHERN IRISH: an identity crisis?

Politics aside...being from Northern Ireland has often led to confusion over the years. Most people still use the word ‘Ireland’ to describe my country, but Ireland isn't a country, but is an island consisting of two countries, Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) and Republic of Ireland (or Eire, a sovereign country). It can cause quite an identity crisis actually. I am proud to be Northern Irish, British and Irish. But first and foremost however I am Northern Irish.

The problem is I don’t associate myself with those from the Republic of Ireland. I also don’t particularly associate myself with those from England, Wales or Scotland (each British country has clear and separate cultures). Therefore to be associated as British in some cases can also cause me to get upset. Though I shouldn't argue, for, actually I am British, Irish and Northern Irish. Or should I?

As an old flat mate once said, "Jonny you need to change the name of your country. People just think 'Northern Ireland' is a geographic part of a country called 'Ireland' ", the more I thought about this in life, I have to believe he is quite close to the truth.

Perhaps, in 1921 when Northern Ireland as a country was formed, it shouldn't have been called Northern Ireland. It's not really an ideal name, is it? Northern Ireland doesn't include the most NORTHERN county (Donegal) in Ireland, and isn't a word which will ever name a separate country, besides, the rest of Ireland isn't called "Southern Ireland".

I’m from a country called Northern Ireland (and always will be), but perhaps I should have been from a country called Ulster... But the problem goes like that: here are the 9 counties of ULSTER: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Donegal, Tyrone, the six north eastern ones make up Northern Ireland. Only SIX of the Ulster counties ended up in the country of "Northern Ireland".

If anyone ever asks me where I'm from I will normally answer "Northern Ireland", after that say "Bangor", or "near Belfast the capital", sometimes I will say "The UK", rarely will I say "Ireland". If I say "Ireland", Irish people (mainly from the south) and people from other countries will often ask: "Oh cool, what county are you from?"

In essence I can answer all of these to the question "where are you from mate?" - Northern Ireland (my country), - Bangor (my town), - near Belfast (my capital), - County Down (my county), - United Kingdom (my government/monarchy), - Ulster (my province), - Ireland (my island), - Europe (my continent), - Planet Earth (my planet - only used whilst talking to Martians, Mercurians or Jupiterians)