Ireland is aptly called “The Emerald Isles” because of the rich verdant color of its fields and pastures, thanks to a year-round temperate climate. Ireland once visited is forever etched in one’s mind. Pictures of magnificent panoramas, historical monuments and castles and its hospitable and ever-friendly people will surely elicit feelings of nostalgia and a longing to go back to Ireland.
Geography. The Republic of Ireland lies west of England and southwest of Scotland. It is bounded on the north, west and south by the Atlantic Ocean. On the east are the North Channel, the Irish Sea and Saint George’s Channel. The northeastern part of the island (Northern Ireland) is part of Great Britain. The country has a central plain enveloped by majestic mountains and hills offering some of the most beautiful and untouched scenery in Europe – pristine white sandy beaches, thickly forested mountain slopes, awesome cliffs and kilometers of vegetations of every kind.
Ireland is divided into four provinces further subdivided into thirty-two counties, six of which are part of Great Britain. The word “county” is usually attached before the name of a county as County Dublin, County Kilkenny. County Cork is the largest county and County Louth, the smallest.
People. The warmth and hospitality of the island’s approximately four and a half million people is known throughout the world. The population has significantly decreased during the past years brought about by the Irish migrating to America and Australia.
Religion. At least 95% of the Irish population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith where many practices and beliefs are rooted.
Languages. There are two official languages in Ireland: Irish which is the national language and English, the national language of the majority.
History. The Irish has a long history that includes invasions and hardships. Celtic tribes settled on the island from 600-150 BC. Invasion by Norsemen followed by the English set off centuries of struggle. In the 1840’s, famine broke out that caused the deaths of many Irish natives and left plenty more homeless. Ireland gained its independence from Great Britain in 1921. In 1948, Ireland severed its last formal links with Great Britain. Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and in 1973 joined the European Union. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998 is still being implemented albeit with difficulties.
Economy. Ireland is a modern trade-dependent economy. Agriculture, once the most important sector is now eclipsed by industry and services. Exports still remain the prime mover for Ireland’s growth.
Money. The unit of currency is the Euro. One Euro is equivalent to 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
Traveller’s checks are widely accepted. To avoid incurring exchange rate charges, they should be issued in Euros, pounds or US dollars. Major international credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are honored.
Weather. The temperature drops below freezing intermittently during winter but snow is scarce. Summers are not really hot rarely hitting 30 degrees Centigrade but darkness descends only past 23:00. Rain falls all year. Comfortable shoes, sweater and all-weather coats are must-haves.
Time. Ireland follows Greenwich Mean Time (1 hour earlier than Central European Time) from November to March and British Standard Time same as Central European Time from April to October. Ireland is 5 hours ahead of the Eastern United States.
Passports and Visas. A passport is necessary for travel to Ireland. Citizens from western countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan do not require visas. Entry visas are also not required for European Union residents. A national identity card or passport will suffice. Visa regulations can change so check with the Irish Embassy for current visa regulation.