Symbols of Ireland Preschool Activity Worksheets

Saint Patrick's Day offers school children around the world an opportunity to explore some of the traditions associated with Irish culture.

It presents us with a chance for learning, and having some fun as children lay the foundations for writing and math.

Today's post features learning tools designed to introduce children to a few simple symbols of Ireland.

This year Irish American Mom is publishing teacher resources to help preschoolers, and elementary students celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style.

Table of Contents

Irish Symbols

There are many emblems of the Emerald Isle. Some are Celtic symbols such as the Celtic knot, the Celtic tree of Life or the Celtic Cross and High Cross, symbols of Ireland's christianity. The oak tree is also a Celtic symbol of Ireland.

Another symbol of the ancient Celts is the Trinity knot features a triple spiral and is also knows as the triquetra, the triskelion or the triskele, and often features in Irish jewelry. It was an important symbol in Celtic culture. These ancient Celtic symbols provide inspiration to the Irish to this very day.

The Book of Kells is an ancient Irish manuscript from around the 8th century which can be viewed in Trinity College, Dublin.

The Claddagh ring is a symbol of loyalty, love and friendship from County Galway. It can be worn on the right hand or the left hand and can indicate whether the wearer's heart is taken or not. This symbol of everlasting love is beloved by the Irish.

The Irish harp is the national symbol of Ireland, the only country whose national symbol is a musical instrument. St Brigid's cross is a favorite Irish cross, created by one of Ireland's patron saints, Saint Brigid.

When you hear the word shamrock you automatically think of Ireland. Saint Patrick used the shamrock to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity. He converted the ancient Celts and taught them about heaven, eternity, rebirth and christianity.

Some associate the four-leaf clover with Irish good luck, but in Ireland the horseshoe is more closely associated with luck.

Here you'll find worksheets featuring some of these symbols.

Name The Irish Symbol Worksheet

First up is an activity where children need to link specific Irish symbols with the written name for the item,

You'll find a shamrock, a rainbow, a horseshoe, and Irish flag, plus a leprechaun's hat.

Please feel free to share these worksheets with any homeschooling parents or preschool teachers, who may find them helpful to add an Irish twist to learning in the run up to Saint Patrick's Day.

Identifying and Coloring Irish Shapes

Harps, coins, shamrocks, leprechaun hats and a map of Ireland feature in this collection of shapes of different sizes and forms.

Children simply need to identify the different shapes and color them according to the key provided.

Finding Ireland's Flag

Ireland's flag is a tricolor and features a green, white and orange stripe.

Little ones can simply circle each of the flags they find in the collection of symbols on this worksheet.

Color The Words

The final activity in this selection of learning games, features words associate with Ireland.

They're written in bold blocks so each letter can be shaded in.

It's a simple way to help recognize words while coloring.

The most difficult one is 'Claddagh" since it involves a silent 'gh'. There are plenty silent "gh's" in Irish words.

Printing Your Irish Worksheets for Preschool

These worksheets are available for free  for all readers of Irish American Mom.

If you click on any of the worksheet images above you’ll be taken to a PDF file, which you can open, save and print.

The files are sized for US letterhead paper.

All four printables are included in one file.

I hope your little ones will enjoy identifying these symbols of Ireland.

Here's a Pinterest friendly graphic if you'd like to file this idea on your boards with other educational resources.

Other Irish Themed Worksheets

I hope you like these learning worksheets here are a few others that you might find useful.

Happy learning with an Irish inspired twist.