The Emerald Isle
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Ireland. This term was first used by Dr. Drennan (1754-1820), in the poem called Erin. Of course, it refers to the bright-green verdure of the island.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “The Emerald Isle” mean?
Ireland. This term was first used by Dr. Drennan (1754-1820), in the poem called Erin. Of course, it refers to the bright-green verdure of the island.
Is “The Emerald Isle” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.