Ireland
most of Ireland was periodically covered in ice. Sea
levels were lower and Ireland, like Great Britain, formed part
of continental Europe. By 16,000 BC, rising sea levels due to
ice melting caused Ireland to become separated from Great
Britain. Later, around 6000 BC, Great Britain itself became
separated from continental Europe. The earliest evidence of
human presence in Ireland is dated at 10,500 BC,
demonstrated by a butchered bear bone found in a cave in
County Clare. It is not until about 8000 BC, however, that
more sustained occupation of the island has been shown,
with evidence for Mesolithic communities around the
island. These Mesolithic communities lived as hunter-
gatherers across the island until about 4000 BC.
Name
· The name Ireland derives from Old
Irish Eriu. This in turn comes from
the Proto-Celtic Iveriu, which is also
the source of
Latin Hibernia
annaabi.ee 
