Welcome to Spital-Land

Spital-Land is a special place in County Limerick, Ireland. You know how your favourite storybook has a little world inside, full of magic and fun? Well, Spital-Land is like a little world in the big world of Ireland.

Long, long ago, people chose Spital-Land to build their homes and live. It was like a giant playground, with green fields to run around and clear blue skies to look at. This was before cars and computers. They used to farm, raise animals, and play traditional Irish games.

Even though no famous battles or big events happened here, Spital-Land is important because it shows us how people used to live. It's like a time machine to the past! The people who lived here may not have been kings or queens, but their lives were just as important and interesting.

So, next time when you're reading your favourite storybook, remember that real places like Spital-Land have their own stories too. Every field, every house, and every tree in Spital-Land has seen a part of history. Isn't that cool?

  1. What is special about Spital-Land in County Limerick, Ireland?
  2. What activities did people do in Spital-Land long, long ago?
  3. Why is Spital-Land considered a 'time machine to the past'?
  4. Why do you think the lives of people who lived in Spital-Land were important and interesting even though they were not kings or queens?
  5. Imagine you live in Spital-Land. What story would you want the fields, houses, and trees to remember about you?

All About Spital-Land

Spital-Land in County Limerick, Ireland, is a magical place full of exciting things to explore! Can you imagine running down the green fields or playing hide and seek among the trees? This lovely area is filled with nature's wonders. You can find ancient oak trees, colourful wildflowers, and buzzing bees. If you're quiet, you might even spot a mischievous fox or a graceful deer!

The Maigue River flows through the land, like a shimmering blue ribbon. If you're lucky, you can see playful otters splashing in the water. Near the river, there are charming stone bridges, perfect for playing Poohsticks!

There aren't many tall mountains here, but gentle rolling hills that feel like big green waves on a sea of grass. It's a great place for a fun picnic!

Though there are no significant streets, the quaint country lanes are perfect for a bike ride. They're lined with old stone walls that have seen many years of history.

Remember, always respect nature and keep this beautiful area clean and safe for all the creatures that call it home. Happy exploring, young adventurers!

  1. What kind of animals can be spotted in Spital-Land?
  2. Describe the Maigue River and its surroundings.
  3. What is the landscape like in Spital-Land?
  4. Using a map of County Limerick, can you locate Spital-Land and the Maigue River?
  5. Go on a safe adventure in Spital-Land or a similar local area and find something of geographical interest. What did you find and why is it interesting?

My Family and Spital-Land

Hi! I'm Gabe, and I'm 8 years old. I live in Spital-Land Co., Limerick. It's really cool here! The tall, old trees surrounding my house are my adventure buddies. I pretend that they are my giant friends. It's super fun to climb them too!

Right next to our house is the famous Black Castle. It's so big and looks like something out of a fairy tale. I like to imagine it as my kingdom, and I am the king! I often draw it because it's so beautiful.

There's also a river called Shannon flowing by. In summers, I often go there with my parents. We have picnics and play catch. Sometimes, we even see ducks floating by. I've named one of them Quacky!

My school is just a short walk away. Sometimes, on the way, I see Mr. Murphy's sheep grazing in the field. They look so fluffy and cute. I've even tried counting them, but I always lose track after 20!

So that's my life in Spital-Land Co., Limerick. It's full of adventures and fun. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else!

  1. What is the name of the river near Gabe's house?
  2. Who does Gabe pretend the trees surrounding his house to be?
  3. What game does Gabe play with his parents by the river?
  4. What does Gabe like to do with the Black Castle in his imagination?
  5. What happens when Gabe tries to count Mr. Murphy's sheep?

The Logainm of Spital-Land

Spital-Land is a very special place in County Limerick, Ireland. The word 'Spital' comes from the Latin word 'hospitalis', which means 'guest' or 'host'. Long time ago, it was used to name places where travelers could rest and get some food. Just like a guest in your house gets a nice, warm place to stay, travelers in old times would get a safe place at a 'Spital'. And 'Land' means, well, land!

Now, how did Spital-Land get this name? Well, it's believed that there was once a kind of resting place in this town for people who were on long journeys. This place was probably called a 'hospital', but not like the hospitals we know today. It was more like an inn or a guest house. So, over time, this town came to be known as Spital-Land.

Today, Spital-Land is still a place where people live and work. And even though we don't see travelers stopping by for a rest like in old times, the name Spital-Land reminds us of its interesting past. It tells us a story of how places get their names and how those names carry a piece of history with them even in the present day.

  1. What does the word 'Spital' mean in English?
  2. Why was Spital-Land named so?
  3. What was the 'hospital' in Spital-Land like?
  4. How does the name Spital-Land connect to its history?
  5. How does the name of a place tell us a story about its past?

Slideshow - Spital-Land
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Spital-Land