About Ireland

Ireland   is an island in the Atlantic off the north-western coast of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth. To its east is the island of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the Irish Sea and North Channel.

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland 

Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which covers five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, which covers the remaining area and is located in the north-east of the island. The population of Ireland is approximately 6.4 million. Just under 4.6 million live in the Republic of Ireland and just over 1.8 million live in Northern Ireland.

Flying through Ireland

CULTURE

Irish culture has had a significant influence on other cultures, especially in the fields of literature and, to a lesser degree, science and education. Alongside mainstream Western culture, a strong indigenous culture exists, as expressed for example through Gaelic games, Irish music, and the Irish language. The culture of the island has also many features shared with Great Britain, including the English language, and sports such as association football, rugby, horse racing and golf.

Irish Music is well known all over the world 

HISTORY

The Celts arrived in Ireland sometime around 300 BC and ruled the country for the next 1000 years, leaving footprints in the art and culture that can still be found today. Christianity came to Ireland from the third century and V. The Vikings ruled from the eighteenth century onwards until the country became part of the British kingdom in 1169. A long struggle for independence took place until 1922, after the Irish War of Independence, when the 26 southern counties of Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom and became the Irish Free State, and after 1948, in the Republic Ireland.

History of Ireland in 6 minutes

ECONOMY

Despite the two jurisdictions using two distinct currencies (the euro and pound sterling), a growing amount of commercial activity is carried out on an all-island basis. This has been facilitated by the two jurisdictions' shared membership of the European Union, and there have been calls from members of the business community and policymakers for the creation of an "all-island economy" to take advantage of economies of scale and boost competitiveness.

Some companies based in Ireland

GEOGRAPHY

The island of Ireland is located in the north-west of Europe. It is separated from the neighbouring island of Great Britain by the Irish Sea and the North Channel. To the west is the northern Atlantic Ocean and to the south is the Celtic Sea, which lies between Ireland and Brittany, in France. Ireland has a total area of 84,421 km2. Ireland and Great Britain, together with nearby islands, are known collectively as the British Isles. As the term British Isles is controversial in relation to Ireland, the alternate term Britain and Ireland is often used as a neutral term for the islands.

Kinvara Castle. County Clare. Ireland

Cliffs of Moher. County Clare. Ireland

Inland areas are warmer in summer and colder in winter. Usually around 40 days of the year are below freezing 0 °C(32 °F) at inland weather stations, compared to 10 days at coastal stations. Ireland is sometimes affected by heat waves, most recently in 2006 and 2013. In common with the rest of Europe, Ireland experienced unusually cold weather during the winter of 2009/10. Temperatures fell as low as −17.2 °C (1 °F) in County Mayo on 20 December and up to a metre of snow in mountainous areas.

MAIN CITIES

Belfast City

Small but with a big heart, super-cool Belfast is one of Europe’s true renaissance cities. And from playing host to the MTV Europe Awards to being a centre of all things Titanic, the capital of Northern Ireland has got its groove on in a big way

Belfast City

Dublin City

Since the end of World War II until 1973 Dublin experienced no major changes. It is from this date that Ireland is integrated in the European Union and an unstoppable way off. Recent years have come full turn the landscape of Dublin, corporations have been installed in the capital and new buildings have changed the picture of the city.  Today is a very touristy town visited by thousands of Europeans by the spirit of freedom and youth you breathe.

Dublin City

Galway

Galway City at the mouth of Galway Bay is both a picturesque and lively city with a wonderful avant-garde culture and a fascinating mixture of locally owned speciality shops, often featuring locally made crafts. With a youthful population and a bohemian spirit, Galway’s charms are best enjoyed by strolling the city lanes and soaking up the atmosphere. There’s plenty to keep sightseers happy, too.

Galway

Cork

Cork is an historic, creative, exciting, ever-changing city with extraordinary surprises to be discovered every time you turn a corner. You just have to be curious enough to venture off the beaten path.  The possibilities are endless, so forget what you think you know. Take a chance, roll the dice and see where it leads you.

Cork City

Kilkenny

Kilkenny's rich medieval heritage is evident in the city's treasure trove of historical buildings and landmarks, exemplified by the magnificent Kilkenny Castle. Kilkenny is arguably the pre-eminent medieval city in Ireland, with the current layout of the city clearly grounded in the city's medieval roots.

Kilkenny