Ireland Culture, Map, Flag, Tourist Places

Ireland consists of two separate countries, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is an independent nation. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

The island is divided into the four ancient provinces of Connacht, Lenister, Munster and Ulster. It is further divided into 32 counties. The Republic of Ireland has 26 counties, while Northern Ireland has six counties.

Connacht, to the West, has five counties. They are Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo (all in the Republic of Ireland).

Lenister, to the East, has 12 counties. They are Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow (all in the Republic of Ireland).

Munster to the Southwest has six counties. They are Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford (all in the Republic of Ireland).

Ulster has nine counties, three in the Republic and six in Northern Ireland. Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan (in the Republic of Ireland). Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone (in Northern Ireland).

Throughout the entire island of Ireland are thousands of lakes and rivers that are natural wonders. In addition, Ireland's ancient past makes it an archeological paradise, with many sites dating back thousands of years. There is so much to explore and experience, that no matter where you travel in Ireland, it will be a fantastic exploration, with unsurpassed hospitality. The scenery is ever changing, simply spectacular, and literally unfolds before your eyes. All over Ireland you can enjoy the outdoors from fishing to golf, horse riding to water sports. Local eateries offer a wide range of food from simple to fine dining. However, whether plain or fancy, the fare is usually fresh, often home grown, and absolutely fantastic. A wide variety of accommodations await you and there are many modes of transportation throughout, including rental cars, chauffeur drive, motor coach, boats, trains, and even planes from one part of the country to another.

Although English is spoken in the majority of the Isle of Ireland the official language of the Republic is Gaelic, the Irish language. Gaelic is a making a comeback in Ireland and is now a compulsory school subject. There are regions in Ireland in which Gaelic is the primary language. These Irish-speaking areas of The Republic are referred to as Ghaeltacht regions.

The Climate in Ireland is unique and is a perennial subject of conversation. There is an old saying, "You don't go to Ireland for the weather". However, the weather in Ireland can be quite pleasant. The temperature remains relatively moderate throughout the year, never getting too hot to or too cold. Temperatures typically range between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to10 Celsius) in the winter months and 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 Celsius) in the summer months in Ireland.

It rains a lot, and seldom snows in Ireland. Accumulations are greatest in the West and least in the East and occur most frequently in the summer months. Storms can blow in from the Atlantic without notice. It can be sunny one minute and raining the next. It can be sunny, quickly shower, and once again become sunny. A few moments later, you would never know it rained at all. Often the rain does not last long and comes as soft showers or a fine mist. They often produce absolutely spectacular rainbows.

During the summer months daylight can last well into the late evening, and the nights can be described more like twilight than darkness.

A holiday in Ireland allows one to experience a culture deeply steeped in history. This history is reflected in the warm hospitality, underrated delicious traditional dishes, brilliant music, and beautiful landscape. Whether enjoying a morning breakfast at a B&B, downing a pint or two in a pub, experiencing the local artists, or hiking along a seaside cliff, it is hard not to feel a part of the dramatic culture and rich history that is Ireland.

Understanding the history of Ireland allows for a deeper appreciation of the ancient monuments found there today, as well as reasons for the heartache of contemporary disputes. The story of Ireland is an ancient tale, older than the pyramids of Egypt, and full of more turmoil, upheaval, and romance than any daytime drama.

Ireland has tourist board offices located throughout the country. There are about 100 tourist board offices in the Republic and approximately 30 in Northern Ireland. The offices are generally open Monday through Saturday. Some of the offices are open seasonally. The offices in larger cities are usually open year round. Tourist board offices in the Republic of Ireland are marked with a white letter "i" on a green sign.

The local tourist offices are a good place to find out detailed local information on attractions and places to visit in a particular area. Both The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland operate tourist offices abroad. They are best for providing general travel information.

National name: Éire (Ireland)
Area: 27,135 sq mi (70,280 sq km)
Population (2006 est.): 4,062,235 (growth rate: 1.2%); birth rate: 14.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 5.3/1000; life expectancy: 77.7; density per sq mi: 153
Capital : Dublin
Other cities: Cork, Limerick, Galway
Currency : Euro (formerly Irish pound [punt])
Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)
Ethnicity/race: Celtic, English
Religions: Roman Catholic 88%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 2%, none 4%
Literacy: 98% Approx.