Flags of the World | Ireland

Postcard
The colors in the Irish flag have the following menaing. Orange — standing for Irish Protestants. Green — signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause. White — representing the hope for peace between them.

The color orange is associated with Northern Irish Protestants because in 1690, William of Orange (William III) defeated the deposed King James II, a Roman Catholic, in the fateful Battle of the Boyne near Dublin. King William was the leader of England, Scotland, and Ireland and his victory secured Protestant dominance over the island.

King's Island | Ireland

Postcard
King John's Castle is a 13th-century castle located on King's Island in Limerick, Ireland. Although the site dates back to 922 when the Vikings lived on the Island, the castle itself was built on the orders of King John in 1200.

Stamp
Postcrossing stamp (2017).

Prehistoric site at Newgrange | Ireland

Postcard
Within a few days I received two postcards depicting the 5,000 year old monuments in Newgrange, Ireland. One postcrossing official and one direct swap. (See also previous post). 

Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne | Ireland

Postcard
Newgrange is a Stone Age monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, Ireland. The large Passage Tomb was built about 3200 BC during the Neolithic period, which means it is older than Stonehenge and Great Pyramids of Giza.  

Stamps

The 68c stamp is part of a set of two Europa stamps 2015, Old Toys.

Dún Eochla, Inishmor Island | Ireland

Postcard

The Aran Islands are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. Inishmor is the smallest of the Aran islands.

Dún Eochla is a superb stone ring fort located at the highest point on Inishmore. Built sometime between 550 and 800 A.D.

Stamp

Europa stamp 2014, depicting traditional Irish musical instrument the Celtic harp. 

Bridges over the River Liffey, Dublin

Postcard

The River Liffey flows through the center of Dublin. The River has many bridges, but some are more famous than others.

In the front you see Ha’penny Bridge. Probably the most famous bridge in Ireland, the Ha’penny Bridge was the first pedestrian bridge built to cross the Liffey. It is so called because of the toll of a half penny to cross the bridge. The name of the bridge changed to Liffey Bridge, which remains the bridge's official name to this day.

Stamp

A Pike.

A postcard from Ireland: The Skellig Islands

Postcard

The Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael and Small Skellig, are two small, steep, and rocky islands lying about 13 km west of Bolus Head on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Skellig Michael is known throughout the world of archaeology as the site of a well-preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamps

(right) A matching stamp. from a set of two Europa stamps (2012).

Coliemore Harbour, Ireland

Postcard

There are several small harbours on the coast of Dalkey. Coliemore Harbour is situated in the midsouthern part of the town. It was previously the principal harbour of Dublin City. These harbours are used by tourists to hire boats for nearby fishing, and for getting to Dalkey Island.

Stamp

An Post’s Definitive’s Series features eight animal species found on this island and its surrounding waters. This stamp picture a Goldfinch.

Thx Claudia!

World in Postcards Swap: Ha'penny bridge from Ireland

 

Postcard

The Ha'penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge built in 1816 over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland.

 

Stamp

Wild flowers of Ireland: Sea Aster. This plant is to be found in coastal saltmarshes, estuaries and on coastal cliffs.