Alphabetical Tour of Ireland Trivia Quiz

Answer: Armagh

Armagh is the county town of Co Armagh, and, in 2009, was the smallest place in Ireland to hold city status. St Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland) was built there in the 5th century AD, whilst the Roman Catholic St Patrick's Cathedral dates from the late 19th century.

Answer: Belfast

The capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is located on the banks of the River Lagan. A major linen and ship-building centre for many years, the early 21st century saw the city become a popular tourist destination following a major reduction in the "troubles" which afflicted the city in the 1970s and 80s.

Answer: Cork

The second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, Cork is the county town of a county of the same name. The city centre lies on an island in the River Lee. Major industries in the city include brewing, computer manufacture, and pharmaceutics.

Answer: Dublin

The capital city of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin has a name derived from the Irish for "Black Pool". First settled in the first century BC, Dublin was briefly dubbed "The Second City of the British Empire" in the 18th century. Kilmainham Gaol was the site of the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in the city; it was closed as a jail in 1924.

Answer: Enniskillen

Enniskillen is located between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The 1987 bombing killed 11 people and injured hundreds more.

Answer: Fethard

Fethard, Co Tipperary, was completely surrounded by walls built by order of King Edward I in the 13th century. Much of these walls survived into the early 21st century. The Coolmore Stud opened in 1975.

Answer: Galway

Galway takes its name from the Gaillimh River, nowadays known as the River Corrib. Nicknamed "Ireland's Cultural Heart", the city hosts an annual arts festival each summer. The Spanish Arch was originally part of the city walls.

Answer: Howth

Howth was originally a village in its own right, and has a castle, built in the 14th century, and a large harbour. Ireland's Eye is part of the Howth estate and features a ruined Martello Tower.

Answer: Inishmore

The Aran Islands are located at the mouth of Galway Bay, and consist of three main islands - Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. (Inishcrone is a town in Co Sligo). Inishmore, the largest, is a major tourist attraction. The Irish language is still spoken by many of its residents.

Answer: Kilkenny

The county town of Co Kilkenny, Kilkenny was given a royal charter as a city in 1609. The city's restored 12th century castle is open to the public. Kilkenny is host to a number of annual arts and music festivals.

Answer: Limerick

Limerick was first settled by the Vikings in the early 9th century AD. King John's Castle was built on the banks of the Shannon in the 12th century. The Hunt Museum houses a collection donated by the local Hunt Family.

Answer: Mullingar

Mullingar is situated between Lough Ennell and Lough Owel. The city's RC Cathedral, Christ the King, was opened on the same day in 1939 as World War II broke out. A major industry in the area is the manufacture of pewter ware.

Answer: Newry

Newry, in Co Down, Northern Ireland, has a name derived from the Irish for "the yew at the head of the strand". In the early 21st century, the city became a magnet for shoppers from across the border in the Republic of Ireland, taking advantage of much cheaper prices in the United Kingdom.

Answer: Omagh

Omagh is the county town of Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The town was in the news in 1998 when 29 people were killed by a Real IRA bomb in the town centre. The Ulster American Folk Park was opened in 1976, and is staffed by volunteers in period costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Answer: Portlaoise

Portlaoise was renamed Maryborough in the 16th century, with Co Laois being renamed Queen's County. The original names were reintroduced in 1922. The town stands on the banks of the River Triogue. The prison is the main detention centre in the Republic of Ireland for paramilitary prisoners.

Answer: Roscommon

The town of Roscommon has a 13th century Norman castle. The town was originally named after Saint Coman who built a monastery there. Co Roscommon is the only landlocked county in the province of Connaght.

Answer: Sligo

Sligo has existed since the 13th century. The name derives from the abundance of shellfish found in the area. The town was a major embarkation port for people fleeing the potato famine of the 1840s, and a sculpture in the town commemorates this.

Answer: Thurles

Thurles, Co Tipperary, is situated on the banks of the River Suir, and has a name derived from the Irish for "Fort of Eile". The GAA was founded in the town in 1884, and a museum celebrating Gaelic sports is located in the town. Semple Stadium in Thurles is one of the largest stadiums in Ireland.

Answer: Virginia

The Plantation of Ulster was the organised "plantation" of Protestant British citizens on Irish soil in the 16th and 17th centuries. Virginia, Co Cavan, was one such town created by this project, in the early 17th century. The town was named after the "Virgin" Queen Elizabeth I.

In the early 21st century it was mainly a commuter town, with the dairy industry being one of the biggest local employers.

Answer: Waterford

The modern city of Waterford was first settled by Vikings in the 9th century AD. The glassware industry was first established there in 1783. Waterford Crystal is used to make a number of sporting trophies played for throughout the world.