Irish History & Politics Trivia Quiz

Answer: United Nations

Ireland, as a neutral country, has never joined NATO and left the Commonwealth on becoming a republic in 1949. The Celtic League is an inter-celtic organisation, formed in 1961, that campaigns for the social, political and cultural rights in these six Celtic nations: Brittany, Cornwall, Eire, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales (it is also the name of a rugby competition formed in 2001 by teams from Eire, Scotland and Wales).

Answer: The Soldier's Song

Written by Peader Kearney in 1907 (the music was in collaboration with Patrick Heeney) it was formally adopted as the national anthem in 1926, replacing the earlier "God Save Ireland".

Answer: Taoiseach

Taoiseach means Chieftain; Tanaiste means Heir to Chieftain; Cathaoirleach translates as Chairman and Uachtaran as President.

Answer: Mise Eire

Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny) was founded in 1926 and has been the state's leading political party since 1932; Fine Gael (Tribe of the Gael) was founded in 1933, with the amalgamation of Cumann na nGaedhael, the Centre Party, and Army Comrades Association; the original Sinn Fein (We Ourselves) was founded in 1905, with the modern version forming in 1970.

"Mise Eire" (I Am Ireland) is a poem, film and music album.

Answer: Charles Haughey

Eaamon De Valera (elected 1959), Mary Robinson (elected 1990) and Mary McAleese (elected 1997) have all served as president. Charles Haughey was Prime Minister on three occasions: 1979-81, 82-82, 1987-1992, but never president.

Answer: The Harp

Although the Shamrock is traditionally associated with Ireland the Harp has been used as a symbol for many centuries. The design of the heraldic harp is based on the "Brian Boru Harp", which is preserved in Dublin's Trinity College.

Answer: False

The Catholic Church was afforded a "special position" in the 1937 Constitution. It was deleted by referendum held in December 1972. The two Articles deleted from the constitution were:
44.1.2
"The State recognises the special position of the Holy Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church as the guardian of the Faith professed by the great majority of the citizens."
44.1.3
"The State also recognises the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, as well as the Jewish Congregations and the other religious denominations existing in Ireland at the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution."

Answer: Leinster House

Located at Kildare Street in Dublin, Leinster House has housed the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas Eireann) since 1922. The Oireachtas consists of two chambers Dail Eireann (House of Representatives) and Seanad Eireann (Senate).

Answer: Five years

While legislation limits the time between elections to five years, constitutionally the time limit is seven years. An election can be called at any time by the Prime Minister requesting a dissolution (the dissolution is carried out by the President).

Section 33 of the Electoral Act 1992 fixed the maximum term of parliament: "33. -Maximum duration of Dáil- The same Dáil shall not continue for a longer period than five years from the date of its first meeting."

Answer: Punt

Punt is the Irish name for Pound; Pingin was Irish for an old penny; Florin was a coin worth two old shillings (24 old pence).