Ireland

Ireland is an island in the northern Atlantic Ocean located off of the western coast of Great Britain.

In the Muggle world, the majority of the island is occupied by the Republic of Ireland (also known simply as Ireland), a sovereign nation, while the northeast corner is home to Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. The political boundaries and governance of Ireland in the wizarding world are unknown. It may be a single political entity under the jurisdiction of the Irish Department of Magic.

The capital city of the Republic of Ireland is Dublin.

Quidditch
One of the ancient broom games played before the climax of the evolution of Quidditch, Aingingein flourished in Ireland. The game became the subject of many Irish ballads in which Fingal the Fearless took a significant role (being alleged champion of the game).

Modern game of Quidditch was well established in 14th century in Ireland which is proven by Zacharias Mumps's account - he describes the game between the Irish from Cork and Englishmen from Lancashire, in which Irish team demonstrates tricks with Quaffle at that time unknown in England and beats the English soundly.

In 1994 the Irish National Quidditch team won the 422nd Quidditch World Cup, defeating the Bulgarian National Quidditch team in the final match.

Irish Quidditch teams

 * The Ballycastle Bats are the second most successful team in the British and Irish Quidditch League, having won the title twenty-seven times.
 * The Kenmare Kestrels are another famous Irish Quidditch team. The Kestrels are based in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, in the South of the country.

Known residents

 * Cliodna - a famous druidess who lived in mediaeval times and who was an Animagus.
 * Connolly - a Beater for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Fergus - a cousin of Seamus Finnigan.
 * Fingal the Fearless - a legendary Irish wizard.
 * Mr Finnigan - a Muggle and father of Seamus Finnigan
 * Mrs Finnigan - a witch and mother of Seamus Finnigan
 * Seamus Finnigan - a Gryffindor in Harry Potter's year at Hogwarts and member of Dumbledore's Army
 * Aidan Lynch - Seeker for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Queen Maeve - a mediaeval witch who trained wizards and witches before the founding of Hogwarts.
 * Moran - a Chaser for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Morholt - a Giant.
 * Morholt's brother — a king of Ireland.
 * Mullet - a Chaser for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Darren O'Hare — Captain and Keeper of the Kenmare Kestrels from 1947 to 1960.
 * Quigley - a Beater for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Barry Ryan - Keeper for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Tristan - a hero who tried to kill Morholt.
 * Troy - a Chaser for the Irish National Quidditch team.
 * Orla Quirke - a Ravenclaw student.

Magical creatures
The following magical creatures are native to Ireland:


 * Aethonans: A chestnut breed of winged horses.
 * Augureys: Shy birds that issue a heart-rending cry at the approach of rain.
 * Banshees: Creatures with the appearance of a woman that scream in an unearthly, wailing voice.
 * Grindylows: Water demons that dwell in lakes.
 * Imps: Small, humanoid, dark brown creatures with a mischievous nature.
 * Jarveys: Beasts that resemble large ferrets and can talk.
 * Kelpies: Water demons that can alter their appearance.
 * Leprechauns: Small, humanoid creatures that can talk and like to play tricks on humans.
 * Merrows: A Merpeople breed.
 * Mokes: Lizards that can shrink at will.
 * Porlocks: Horse guardians from southern Ireland and Dorset.



Magical Education
In the early Middle Ages, Maeve, a witch queen, taught several young witches and wizards in the magical arts.

Later, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded in Scotland, and Irish witches and wizards were accepted there.

Behind the scenes

 * Fiona Shaw, the actress who portrays Harry Potter's Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter films, is from County Cork in Ireland.
 * Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrays Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, is from County Louth in Ireland.
 * Brendan Gleeson, the actor who portrays Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter films is Irish, as well as his son, Domhnall Gleeson, who portrayed Bill Weasley in both film adaptations of . Both are from the capital city, Dublin.
 * Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, who play Albus Dumbledore, are both Irish. Harris is from County Limerick while Gambon was born in Dublin.
 * Geraldine Somerville, who portrays Lily Evans in the Harry Potter films was born in County Meath, Ireland.
 * Hagrid stated in the first film that instead of a "Greek chappie" (which he stated in the book), he obtained Fluffy from an "Irish fellah".
 * Devon Murray, the actor who potrays Seamus Finnigan is from County Kildare.
 * Ciarán Hinds, who portrayed Aberforth Dumbledore in, is an Irish actor from Belfast, County Antrim.
 * Miranda Richardson, the actress who plays Rita Skeeter, played an Irish terrorist in .
 * Kenneth Branagh, who portrayed Gilderoy Lockhart in the film adaptation of, is an actor and director from Northern Ireland.
 * Michelle Fairley is an actress from Northern Ireland who portrayed Mrs Granger in the film adaptions of.
 * Colin Farrell, who is set to play Graves in the film adaptations of, is from Dublin.

Appearances

 * PS F

Notes and references
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