The British Isles – Ireland
October 25, 2025
🇮🇪 THE BRITISH ISLES – IRELAND
🧠 Vocabulary to Learn
| English | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
|---|---|---|
| agriculture | /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃə/ | žemdirbystė |
| cattle-breeding | /ˈkætl ˈbriːdɪŋ/ | gyvulininkystė |
| climate | /ˈklaɪmət/ | klimatas |
| Dublin | /ˈdʌblɪn/ | Dublinas |
| Belfast | /ˈbelfɑːst/ | Belfastas |
| Cork | /kɔːk/ | Korkas |
| Limerick | /ˈlɪmərɪk/ | Limerikas |
| Shannon | /ˈʃænən/ | Šanonas (upė) |
| Gulf Stream | /ɡʌlf ˈstriːm/ | Golfo srovė |
| occupation | /ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃn/ | užsiėmimas |
| independence | /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ | nepriklausomybė |
| republic | /rɪˈpʌblɪk/ | respublika |
| industry | /ˈɪndəstrɪ/ | pramonė |
| library | /ˈlaɪbrərɪ/ | biblioteka |
| pub | /pʌb/ | smuklė |
| polite | /pəˈlaɪt/ | mandagus |
| writer | /ˈraɪtə/ | rašytojas |
📖 Text – Ireland
Ireland is famous for its wonderful green fields.
The climate is mild, with damp winters and cloudy summers.
The island is the first to meet the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
The rivers are short but deep. The longest river is the Shannon (200 miles).
From ancient times the main occupation of the Irish people was cattle-breeding.
Green is the national colour of Ireland.
The history of the country is a long fight for freedom.
In 1171 King Henry II of England landed in Dublin, and the country remained under British rule for centuries.
In 1949, Ireland declared itself an independent republic.
The capital is Dublin, one of the most ancient capitals in the world.
Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom with the capital Belfast.
This part of the country is called Ulster.
Belfast is the largest industrial centre in Ireland.
The Botanical Gardens, Queen’s University, and the Palm House (the only one of its kind in the world) are popular sights to visit.
Cork is the second city of the Republic, and Limerick is known for its many churches.
The Irish pub is a place to talk, enjoy a beer, and learn local news.
Famous writers such as Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, and Jonathan Swift were born in Ireland.
🗣️ Vocabulary
| English | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
|---|---|---|
| ancient | /ˈeɪnʃənt/ | senovinis |
| to declare | /dɪˈkleə/ | paskelbti |
| independence | /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ | nepriklausomybė |
| polite | /pəˈlaɪt/ | mandagus |
| to find out | /faɪnd aʊt/ | sužinoti |
| event | /ɪˈvent/ | įvykis |
| writer | /ˈraɪtə/ | rašytojas |
| freedom | /ˈfriːdəm/ | laisvė |
✅ All historical and geographical information is correct.
⚠️ Style note: say “the only one of its kind in the world” instead of “the only of this kind”.
Exercises
Exercise 1Fill in the blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct words.
- The capital of Ireland is __.
- The longest river in Ireland is the __.
- Green is the national __ of Ireland.
- The island has a __ and mild climate.
- Ireland declared itself an __ republic in 1949.
Exercise 2Choose the correct answer
Choose the correct answer.
-
The Gulf Stream makes Ireland’s climate:
- a) hot and dry
- b) cold and snowy
- c) mild and damp
-
The main occupation of ancient Irish people was:
- a) fishing
- b) cattle-breeding
- c) trade
-
Northern Ireland’s capital is:
- a) Dublin
- b) Belfast
- c) Cork
-
The second city of the Republic is:
- a) Limerick
- b) Cork
- c) Galway
Exercise 3True or False
Mark True (T) or False (F).
- The Irish Sea is between Ireland and Scotland.
- The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland.
- Ireland became independent in 1949.
- Belfast is in the Republic of Ireland.
- The Irish pub is a quiet place for reading books.
Exercise 4Match the pairs
Match the places with their descriptions.
| Place | Description |
|---|---|
| Dublin | Capital of the Republic of Ireland |
| Belfast | Capital of Northern Ireland |
| Cork | Second largest city in the Republic |
| Limerick | Known for many churches |
| Palm House | Unique glass building in Belfast |
Exercise 5Word formation
Complete with the correct form of the word in brackets.
- Ireland became an __ country in 1949. (independent)
- The Irish people love their __ colour. (nation)
- The country was under British __ for many centuries. (reign)
- The climate is very __ in Ireland. (mildness → mild)
- Many famous __ were born in Ireland. (write)
Exercise 6Fill with prepositions
Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions.
- The Gulf Stream flows __ the Atlantic Ocean.
- King Henry II landed __ Dublin in 1171.
- Ireland declared itself independent __ 1949.
- The Irish pub is a place __ people to meet.
- Belfast is famous __ its port and university.
Exercise 7Short answers
Answer briefly.
- What is the capital of Ireland?
- When did Ireland become independent?
- What is the main industry in Belfast?
- Who are three famous Irish writers?
- What colour is associated with Ireland?
Exercise 8Sentence building
Put the words in the correct order.
- capital / Ireland / of / The / is / Dublin
- 1949 / in / independent / became / Ireland
- Belfast / capital / is / The / Northern Ireland / of
- colour / is / national / Green / Ireland’s
- writers / Irish / born / were / many / in / Ireland
Exercise 9Fill in the correct verb forms
Use the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
- The Irish people __ (fight) for freedom for centuries.
- King Henry II __ (land) in Dublin in 1171.
- Ireland __ (declare) independence in 1949.
- The Gulf Stream __ (warm) the climate.
- Writers like Wilde and Shaw __ (live) in Ireland.
Exercise 10Writing task
Write 5–6 sentences describing Ireland.
Include information about its rivers, climate, cities, and famous people.