Encyclopedia Hibernia
Ireland, Between the Lines.
History
Culture
Language
Folklore
County Nicknames
Why is Kerry called The Kingdom? Why Waterford The Déise? And where did names like The Orchard County and The Garden County come from? Explore the stories behind Ireland’s county nicknames.
Why Irish Counties Have Their Colors
Ireland’s county colors may feel ancient, but many of the combinations familiar today took shape through the rise of organized Gaelic games. Discover how sporting colors became enduring symbols of county identity, from Kerry’s green and gold to Laois’s blue and white.
What is the GAA?
More than a sporting organisation, the GAA is woven into Irish ideas of place, community and identity. Explore the history of Gaelic football and hurling, the importance of clubs and counties, Croke Park, and how Gaelic games travelled with the Irish diaspora.
The Four Provinces of Ireland — and the Lost Fifth Province
Explore Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster, discover the lost central province of Mide, and learn why the Irish word cúige still preserves the memory of five provinces.
Irish Place Names Explained
Discover the meanings hidden inside Irish place names — from Bally and Kil to Knock, Drum, Glen, Rath, Dun and Lough — and see how language preserves the landscape and history of Ireland.
The Irish Oak — Ireland’s Sacred Tree
Explore the oak’s place in Irish mythology, law, landscape and language — from sacred trees and ancient oak woods to Derry’s Oak Leaf identity and the enduring symbolism of the acorn.