Pokémon in Ireland

Pokémon in Ireland
Pokémon logo English.png
Ireland Flag.png
Flag of Ireland
Language English and Irish
Continent Europe
Original anime airdates
EP001 September 4, 1999
AG001 January 10, 2004
DP001 February 4, 2008
BW001 February 27, 2011
June 4, 2011
XY001 October 19, 2013
April 5, 2014
SM001 November 20, 2016
April 11, 2017
JN001 Unknown
HZ001

The Pokémon franchise first reached Ireland in October 1999 with the release of Pokémon Red and Blue Versions on Game Boy alongside the United Kingdom. [1][2]

Pokémon video games

All English-language Pokémon games have been released in Ireland. New games are released on the same day as the rest of Europe, which has sometimes been several months after their respective releases in the United States. The Generation I games as well as its spin-offs released during that time in that region were handled by John Menzies (through THE Games), which was Nintendo's Irish distributor until 2001.

In-store Pokémon events have dwindled in Ireland in recent years, which has culminated in Nintendo of Europe deciding to no longer work in Ireland. This has meant that Pokémon gamers in Ireland have not been able to as easily receive Pokémon such as the Michina Arceus, requiring players to travel to the north of the island to Belfast (which, being part of Northern Ireland, is in the United Kingdom) to attend in-store events which occur there to receive their event Pokémon.

Furthermore, players wishing to compete in the Video Game Championships must also travel to the United Kingdom or mainland Europe.

Pokémon anime

The English dub of the Pokémon anime aired in Ireland on RTÉ Two on September 4, 1999. It aired during Den 2, the channel's afternoon segment aimed towards children. It aired all episodes of the original series and Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire that were dubbed into English (excluding The Bicker the Better and Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut?).

Previously, the anime has also aired on several British television channels that are also widely available throughout Ireland, including UTV,[3] and Sky1.

As most UK channels are available in Ireland via cable and satellite providers, the anime is still viewable in Ireland, with Pokémon: Black & White previously airing on Disney XD.

Netflix

Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:

It was announced that the Pokémon anime would be coming to Netflix, a subscription-based on demand service available in a wide range of countries, including Ireland. Beginning from March 1, 2014, episodes of Pokémon: Indigo League and Pokémon: Black & White were available, as well as the movies White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Cards for the Pokémon Trading Card Game were originally sold in Ireland at the same time as they were released in the United Kingdom. For several years in the early 2000s, many primary schools across the country banned children from bringing in Pokémon cards, as they were presenting challenges for both parents and teachers.[4]

Pokémon merchandise

Pokémon merchandise was also sold to coincide with the release of Red and Blue in 1999.[5]

During the early 2000s, Glanbia, Ireland's largest dairy foods producer and supplier, produced special Pokémon-themed products.[6]

Pokémon manga

Pokémon manga translated into English by VIZ Media is sold in Ireland. Currently available series include the popular Pokémon Adventures series and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!.

Community

boards.ie, the largest Irish Internet forum, has a dedicated Pokémon forum.

Trivia

  • In June 2001, Pokémon was one of the topics in the listening comprehension section of the Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Spanish exam.[7]

External links

References


The Pokémon franchise around the world
The Americas: BrazilCanadaLatin AmericaUnited States
Asia: Greater ChinaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeSouth AsiaSouth KoreaThailandVietnam
Europe: AlbaniaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCzech RepublicDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreece
HungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNetherlandsNorth MacedoniaNorwayPoland
PortugalRomaniaRussiaSerbiaSlovakiaSpainSwedenUkraineUnited Kingdom
Middle East: Arab worldIsraelTurkey
Oceania: AustraliaNew Zealand


  This article is part of Project Globe, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon franchise around the world.