The Four Proud Provinces of Ireland Quiz

Answer: Ulster

Lough Neagh has a surface area of 151 square miles (392km2). It is fed by eight main rivers, and in turn has one outflow, the Lower Bann, to the Atlantic Ocean.
It is a water supply for a large part of Northern Ireland. A number of sporting activities take place there, and it is noted for its eel fishing.

Answer: Munster

With a population at the 2011 Census of about 120,000, Cork was the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. The city dates to a monastic settlement in the sixth century and was later a Viking trading post.

With the English settlement of Ireland, Cork continued to be an important trading centre and its city charter was granted in 1185. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Cork was strong supporter of Irish Home Rule.

Answer: Munster

The Blarney Stone is on the battlements of Blarney Castle, which is about five miles (eight kilometres) from Cork City. Legend has it that kissing the Blarney Stone will give you "the gift of the gab" - make you a very eloquent speaker.
You need to be a bit of an acrobat first, or just very supple, for you have to lean backwards over the battlements to kiss the stone.

Answer: Connacht

Galway is the major city on the west coast of Ireland. The city had a population of about 75,000 at the 2011 Census. The city and area have their own mythology and are steeped in history. The city dates to the 12th Century and was a home place for native Irish people before the Normans arrived. Today the city is important for industry and commerce. The general Galway area has many tourist attractions.

Born in Virginia in 1955, Steve Earle was a highly regarded singer/songwriter who embraced rock and country music. His biggest hit was "Guitar Town", a 1986 US Country charts number seven. "Galway Girl" was recorded as a duo with Sharon Shannon and was on Earle's album "Transcendental Blues" (2000).
He was also an actor, most notably in the TV­ drama "The Wire."

Trivia note: Fresh from starring as President Jed Bartlett in TV's the "West Wing", Martin Sheen undertook an undergraduate course at National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2006, where he studied English literature, philos­ophy and oceanography.

Note: Connacht is sometimes spelt Connaught.

Answer: Ulster

The Port of Londonderry (aka Derry) was one of the most strategic locations in the United Kingdom for guarding the shipping convoys that brought vital aid across the Atlantic. It was set at the head of the broad and placid Lough Foyle.

As part of 'Operation Deadlight' in May 1945, 12 U-Boats were escorted into the calm waters where their crews surrendered.

Answer: Leinster

In 1759, Arthur Guinness took over a dilapidated brewery at St James's Gate on a 9,000-year lease. He had been a brewer in his native Kildare. In 1799, he began to brew 'porter' - a strong, dark beer. By 1821, the recipe that is still used today was decided upon.

Despite the often-told story that Guinness is brewed from water from the Liffey in Dublin, its water source is in in fact in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin City.

Answer: Ulster

Cuchulain - 'the hound of Ulster' - was a warrior in the service of his uncle, Conchobhar, king of Ulster. He was a superhero, the legends tell us, with seven fingers on each hand, seven toes on each foot and seven irises in each eye. His greatest achievement was in single-handedly stopping the army of Queen Medb of Connacht sent, to steal the Brown Bull of Ulster. He was to be the defender of Ulster against all comers.

Finn MacCool was a giant - literally. His most famous exploit was to build a causeway to take him from the North Coast of Ireland to Scotland to fight a Scottish giant.

Answer: Munster

The Ring of Kerry is a road route along the picturesque Atlantic coastline.
Iveragh Peninsula, to give it its formal name, blends a mystical and unspoilt region that has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. It offers outdoor pursuits that include golf, water-sports, cycling, walking, running, riding and fishing in freshwater rivers for salmon and trout. There is also sea fishing for bass, flounder, mackerel and numerous other fishes.

Ancient forts and monuments and beautiful beaches add to the attractions. Mountains and beaches also dominate the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland's most south westerly place.

Answer: Leinster

The city had a population of about 1.3 million at the 2011 census. The area has been inhabited since ancient times before the Vikings settled there. The Normans also settled and Dublin, and the rest of Ireland, were part of the Kingdom of Britain and Ireland until the early 1920s.

The city, and wider area, is steeped in history from all ages. It offers many example of fine Georgian architecture. It also offers many commercial and cultural attractions. Around 4 millions tourists visit Dublin each year.

Answer: Connacht

The three Aran Islands are: Inis Mor (Inishmore), Inis Meain (Inishmaan), and Inis Oirr (Inisheer). Located in Galway Bay, they are a popular tourist attraction, but are also home to about 1,200 inhabitants all year around. They speak Gaelic Irish as a first language, but can also communicate in English.