Northern+Ireland+Activities


 * ==**__Voicethread about Northern Ireland__**==


 * Click here** and talk about the video with your classmates.

media type="custom" key="12060413"


 * ==__**Listening.**__==

Listen to this song and fill in the gaps:
 * media type="youtube" key="EM4vblG6BVQ" height="315" width="420" || media type="custom" key="12051887" ||

media type="custom" key="12051759"
 * ==__**Writing.**__==


 * ==__Reading.__==


 * Read the text and answer the questions:**
 * ===Saint Patrick,===

**by Jerry Wilson **

The //person// who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship. Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered //himself// a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God. He escaped from //slavery// after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the //pagans// to Christianity. His //wishes// were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite //successful// at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled //throughout// Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in //Ireland// lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. Today, people celebrate the day with //parades//, wearing of the //green,// and drinking //beer//. One reason St. Patrick's Day //might// have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring. ||

media type="custom" key="12051815"


 * ==__Vocabulary.__==

Here you have some Irish slang. Find the meaning of each expression:

 * **Word of phrase** || **Example** || **meaning** ||
 * mot || We had great craic that night || Hart to translate, roughly meaning fun ||
 * Fair play || We had a bit of gas that day || Fun, enjoyment ||
 * gas || He was just acting the maggot as usual || Behaving foolishly, annoyingly ||
 * shook || He made a bags of doing it || Messy inadequate job ||
 * jaded || Come here young fella || Male person, also used for boyfriend ||
 * bag || Fair play to you || Indicates approval of someone's action or opinions ||
 * fella || We're all jaded after it || Tired, exhausted ||
 * Accting the maggot || He was very shook looking || Pale, ill, scared ||
 * Crack, craic || Have you got a mot? || girlfriend ||