Snow in Athlone

• The Irish Flag was officially accepted by the Republic of Ireland during the War of Independence with England in 1919. The Tricolour became the country’s official flag when Ireland became a free nation in 1921. • The flag was first flown by a Waterford man and an Irish American

  Ireland is renowned around the world as the “Land of Saints & Scholars”, due to its huge impact on culture (both religious and literary). In fact Ireland has three patron saints – Saint Brigid of Kildare, Saint Columba and, last but not least, Saint Patrick. Credited with the foundation