; Ulster-Scots: Airlann [ËÉËrlÉn]) is an island in the North Atlantic separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. It is the second-largest island of the British Isles, trailing only Great Britain, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.orthern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom with a local executive and assembly which exercise devolved powers. The executive is jointly headed by the first and deputy-first minister, with the ministries being allocated in proportion with each party's representation in the assembly. Its capital is Belfast.
Lent. Lent is a forty day period before Easter set aside as a season of soul-searching and repentance. The forty days reflect Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for his own time of spiritual reflection. Sundays, because they commemorate the Resurrection, are not counted.
Mardi Gras is the celebration of the beginning of the Catholic Lenten season. Mardi Gras is French for fat Tuesday and embodies the abandonment and indulgence that many engage in before plunging into the 40 days of Lent that immediately follow. The beads that many revelers wear and pass around during the festivities are purple, green and gold, representing not just the celebration's Catholic roots, but also an homage to a Russian czar.