County Donegal

Map and Location Island Location: Ireland is an island off western Europe in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is a divided country, with independent governments.

The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) occupies 5/6th of the island of Ireland Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island and is a part of the United Kingdom. Capital(s) Republic of Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast Official languages: English and Gaelic. Size: The Republic of Ireland covers 27,135 square miles (70,280 sq km).Population: The population of Ireland is about 3,689,000 (as of 2000). Climate: Ireland has a cool, often-cloudy climate.

Flag of Ireland The Republic of Ireland’s flag is tricolor, and is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. Colors in the flag represent the native population and religious beliefs in Ireland.Green: Signifies the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). Orange: Represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). White: White occupies the center of the flag and signifies peace between these two groups of people.

Irish Provinces: Commonly known as the Four Green Fields of Ireland. Irelands 4 provinces. Connacht is the north-western province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Leinster is the eastern province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath and Longford. Munster is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Claire, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperrary, and Waterford. Ulster forms one of the historical provinces of Ireland. Six of its Nine counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone, are known together as Northern Ireland. Three counties Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan, are part of the Republic of Ireland.

Irish Identifiable:

Claddagh: The Friendship, Lovea and Loyalty Symbol or Ireland The Claddagh design is said to originate from the Galway Area, and the Aran Islands. The Claddagh ring was originally worn by men, but later used as a Marriage Ring for Men and Women. The symbol is comprised of 2 hands, a heart and a crown.The hands symbolize the 2 parties involved. The heart is the seat of affection or love. And the crown perfection. So, a perfect union of love between 2 parties. Common word translations to the Claddagh are: Friendship (hands), Love (heart) and Loyalty (crown).

Harp Emblem: Its Importance in Irish History The harp symbol has been recognized as the emblem of Ireland since the 13th century. It was officially adopted as Ireland’s national symbol when the Irish Free State was created in 1922. The most famous Harp of Ireland is the Brian Boru harp which is located at the Trinity College in Dublin. The Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp, and is the model used for the State emblem.

Trinity Symbol: The Trinity Symbol is an ancient Celtic design. The Trinity emblem is an ancient symbol for a high spiritual dignity. In the Christian faith, it represents the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity symbol has been inscribed in stone, and also has been colored. Red for power, faith, language and sacrifice. Blue -represents faith and trust. Green -color of the plants and trees, suggests hope of life eternal.

Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is possibly the best known symbol of Early Christianity in Ireland. The High Celtic Cross is a self contained monument, and are as high as 20 feet. They are generally made of sandstone, and their main characteristic feature is a circle connecting the arms. The rings around the high cross may have been a symbol of the cosmos, and at the center is the Crucificition of Christ. Or, the ring may have been a structural piece, to prevent the arms of the cross from snapping off. There are many decorations on the crosses many including scenes from the bible, while others feature animal Interlace, and scroll work. The crosses at Monasterboise and Cross of Scriptures, Clonmacnoise are good examples for the traditional Celtic Cross.

Irish Famous:

Brian Boru Harp Brian Boru (c. 940-1014) The last of the High King’s to lift Ireland out of the ruins of the Norse Age. He rebuilt ruined churches, built others, he sent overseas to replace lost books and artifacts and all that he possibly could to heal the wounds of the past two centuries of Norse pillage. One of the symbols most associated with Irieand is the Brian Boru Harp. This Harp is now located in the Long room, at the Trinity College Library, in Dublin. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland.

Short Irish History:

Irelands Areas of Historical Interest: Interesting sites in Ireland include: Bru na Boinne (Newgrange), Boyne Valley, Ceide Fields, Clonmacnoise, Croagh Patrick, Dun Aengus, Glendalough, Hill of Tara, Lough Derg, Skellig Michael, Rock of Cashel.

Bru na Boinne “Boyne Palace”: Ireland’s Stonehenge One of Ireland’s most spectacular archaeological sites is located in the Boyne Valley in County Meath. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth were built around the same time that Stonehenge was erected in England. These tombs were built around 3200 B.C., several centuries before the great pyramids of Egypt. The exact reason these sites were built is unknown, but one of their features, is that they may have been used as an ancient form of solar calendar. The Newgrange site was designed to catch the sun during the winter solstice (December 19-23), the rising sun shines thru a slit over the entrance, and lights up the burial chamber for 17 minutes. At Dowth, the light of the setting sun of the solstice illuminates one of the chambers. At Knowth, the rising sun of the spring and autumn equinoxes lights the eastern passage, while the setting sun may have caught the western passage those days.

Clonmacnoise (Offaly) An early Christian monastic site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly. The Clonmacnoise location borders the three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a position so central it was the burial-place of many of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre.

Hill of Tara (Meath) Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. The Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Features of the Hill of Tara include the Mound of the Hostages, the Stone of Destiny, and Ancient Standing Stones Rock of Cashel (Tipperary) This was the seat of kings and mediaeval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. A spectacular group of stone fort Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Features include 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. The original forbidding fortification of the Eoghanachta, kings of Munster. Brian Bor? was crowned King of Munster here in 977 and he became High King of Ireland in 1002. He was the first high king to exact universal and effective tribute from the other kings of Ireland.

Dun Aengus: D?n Aonghasa (Dun Aengus – Angus’ Fort) The mysteriou
s structure of Dun Aengus is situated on the western side of Inish M?r, one of the three Aran Islands (Oile?in ?rainn), stone outcrops, in the Atlantic thirty miles (48 kms) west of Galway City. The islands, Inish M?r, Inishmann and Inisheer have some of Europe’s finest examples of pre-historic and early Christian antiquities.Dun Aengus is a vast fortification perched on the summit of a hill that rises precipitously from the ocean to a height of 300 feet (100 meters). Half the site, consisting of three concentric enclosures, has fallen into the sea, but what is left makes a fascinating sight. The cliff edge at Cahercommoun in the Burren is Early Christian and D?n Aonghasa is believed to be much older. Dun Aengus has been estimated to have been built anywhere from 900BC to 500C.

Glendalough (Wicklow) This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.In the 6th centaury St. Kevin founded a monastery and from this grew a monastic city, which became famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. The spectacular Round Tower in the Monastic City stands an impressive 34m high and 16m in circumference.The tower was originally built as a bell tower and a place of refuge when the monastery was attacked. There are many stone crosses and churches to see. As well as these magnificent remains, there is the breathtaking scenery of the valley to enjoy.

Croagh Patrick (Mayo) Is a holy mountain in Ireland, located in south Mayo, 5 miles from Westport, and on Clew Bay. It is a conical mountain that is said to be the place where St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Today it is a pilgrimage spot, where visitors from all over the world. It is said that St. Patrick fasted for 40 days at the summit of the mountain. Croagh Patrick is also known as the “Reek”, and on “Reek Sunday”, the last Sunday in July, thousands come to follow the steps of Patrick. Today, a church sits on the top of the “Reek”. It is said, that if you climb Croagh Patrick three times, you will have earned yourself a place in heaven.

Although the country of Scotland has long been acknowledged as the birthplace of the game of golf, the Emerald Isle to its west has become a bastion of golf in its own right. The rolling terrain, magnificent ocean views, and pristine landscapes of Ireland have made it a golfing vacation destination for millions of links lover from around the globe.

One of Ireland’s true golf magnets is the Ballyliffin Golf Club, located on the northwest coast of Donegal. The Ballyliffin Golf Club is home to two distinct but equally remarkable golf courses, the older of which was established as a nine hole course shortly after the end of World War II. The Old Course at Ballyliffin began as a labor of love, with its members themselves tending to its greens and mowing its fairways.

Their lack of resources, however, eventually forced the members of the Old Course to reconsider their commitment. They had leased the lands on which the course was built, and had the owners of the land not agreed to extend the lease, The Old Course at Ballyliffin might now be a housing development.

But with their newly extended lease, and an association with the Irish Christian Brotherhood which help them attract a growing membership and a stronger revenue base, he members of the Old Club at Ballyliffin were close to owning the land outright by the early 1960s. The next decades saw many more upset downs in the fortunes of the Old Club. During the 1970s it was moved to a larger tracts of land and transformed into an 18 hole course. Its future was secured in 1993 when the world’s top player, Nick Faldo, dropped to the course from a helicopter to play a round.

Faldo’s dramatics so impressed the British golfing public that his golfing design company was hired to make improvements to the Old Course. One of the most impressive results of his efforts is the course’s fifth hole, were elevated green 190 yards off the tee is surrounded by massive sand dunes.

The popularity of the Old Course at Ballyliffin became such a demand for a second course led to the 1995 opening of neighboring Glashedy Links. The 7200-yard Glashedy Course at Ballyliffin possesses enormous bunkers vast greens with slopes to challenge the boldest of golfers. Both the Old Course and are whipped by north Atlantic winds and blessed by panoramic views of the Inishowen Coast and Pollan Bay which make even the most frustrated golfers feel blessed to play the game.

The par-3 7th hole at Glashedy requires a drive off a tee situated one hundred feet above the green, and the course’s par-5 13th has already earned a reputation as one of the most challenging part five this in all of Ireland. The Glashedy course is not only a staggeringly beautiful piece of real estate, but a marvelous test of golfing skills. Its growing reputation has earned the right to host both the 1998 Ladies Irish Open and the 2002 North West of Ireland Open.

Playing a round of golf at Ballyliffin may leave you feeling as if you have transcended a normal golfing experience and entered the realm of the surreal. No golf vacation in Ireland is complete without a trip to the Ballyliffin Golf Club.

One of the myths about financial spread betting is that it makes you a slave to your computer. The reality is that you can spend as much or as little time as you wish on your trading. Your level of time input is not a key determinant in how successful you’ll be.

The time element is important to define though. In yesteryear people were happy to be advised by their broker, build up a share portfolio and hold it for the long-term in the belief that dividends and a general appreciation of the stock market would take care of the rest. The occasional glance at stock prices in the papers was enough after that.

Now, the most important time you’ll spend is before you do any trading at all. Setting out your trading parameters, deciding on what your macro market view is, honing in on a couple of stocks or other tradable instruments, building your trading plan.

Giving an example is the quickest way to illustrate what I mean.

A newer trader is targeting to make a return of €20,000 on his current trading cycle. He has about 15k in his account but has more funds to put in if required. He is bullish on the market overall. He’s sees plenty of medium term value in commodities and key global indices.

Opening with a few trades in March, it became clear that his strategy is very simple and needs only a weekly or fortnightly look at his positions. Buying the FTSE, Nasdaq and S&P indices with modest stakes, he manages his risk by placing distant stop loss orders where it looks as if, based on chart trends, there is a low likelihood that those levels will be hit.

So his downside is managed. He sleeps at night and doesn’t have to fret over short and sharp swings against his positions. He’s defined his allowable downside and will let the market take its course. He does his day job.

For the time-poor person with well thought out, confident views this is a great way to trade. Take his S& P position. He got in at 1100. He doesn’t try and predict short-term movements….that index regularly spikes down 30 or 40 points. Our trader is not concerned and took some handy profit as the index rose towards 1200.

So far, for a few hours work, this guy is up more than 50% on his capital in a couple of months trading on his own, rarely and with his downside potential well-managed. What’s wrong with that?

Another very good way to trade is through the use of orders. Let’s say you have a strong view on a US stock that’s at $15. You think it’s worth $20 in the medium term and is highly unlikely to go below $10. You could buy the stock….let’s say 3000 shares costing you the equivalent of $45k + charges.

Or you could put 10k in a spread betting account and set out your landscape. Let’s say you want to make 10k and don’t want to lose more than 3k.

You put a stake of €5 a point buying at $15 with a stop loss at $10. You also put down buy orders with the same stake level at $12, $13 & $14 with pre-set stop loss orders should those price points be hit.

Let’s say the price does dip below $13 and then bounces back to $15. You’ve now got a €15 stake on at an average entry price of $14 and will be showing a profit of €1500 and you’re in good shape for further upswing.

The point is that even though the price went against this trade initially, the trader is a) playing within their defined max loss at all times, b) trading while not there, c) only using a fraction of their capital compared to buying the stock and d) well positioned to load on more stake through pre-set buy orders if the price heads on towards the $20 target.

The real reason why financial spread trading has mushroomed is the fact that people love being able to form and trade their own views, in their own time, from their own computer. 15 years ago how could you or I have conceived that a shop owner in Donegal could have researched a share called Solarfun Power Holdings out of Shanghai, liked it, traded it and made a few thousand euro on that view in a couple of weeks?

This is the sea-change in how people are trading the markets. DIY trading. And if they make mistakes it’s their own mistakes. And even if they make mistakes they’re learning about the markets. They are educating themselves. They’ll be better informed when making decisions on their pension funds and other investment vehicles. They also have the power to be in or out of the market instantly. The pricing is completely transparent. There’s no waiting for your broker to tell you that all your shares have been off-loaded or that the allocation you wanted has been purchased at the price you wanted the stock.

It’s your market. Your money. You decide.

There is a learning curve with financial spread betting. If you decide to give it a tilt, go with a provider that will help you at the start perhaps with a personal trading mentor. Look for a provider that offers tight spreads and above all be ready to listen, learn and trade with discipline.