Ireland
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Capital
- Dublin
- Population
- 5.4 million (2024)
- Area
- 70,273 km²
- Languages
- English, Irish
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +353
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Ireland is an island country in North Atlantic. It is the third-largest island in Europe. The North Channel, the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel separate it on its east from Great Britain.
The country recorded a population of 4.904 million in 2019 and covers an area of 84,421 km2.
Its capital and largest city is Dublin.
The Cliffs Of Moher
History
The Kingdom of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom under the Act of Union in 1801.
Ireland left British and gained independence in 1949.
The country joined the European Economic Community in 1973.
Food & culture
The culture of the country consists of language, literature, music, art, folklore, horse racing and cuisine. It has been influenced by the culture of Anglo-Norman, English and Scott.
The main crops are maize, beans, peas, oilseed rape, beet, potatoes and cereals. The most popular dishes include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, coddle, colcannon and ulster.
Wildlife
The wildlife species found here include red fox, European hedgehog, stoat, otter, badger, red deer, pine marten, hedgehog and pygmy shrew.
Festivals & events
The most popular festivals are Fleadh Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Dublin Writers Week, Galway Oyster Festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival and Galway Races.
Things to see
The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs at the Burren region in Clare County.
There is the Kilarney National Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife species.
There is also the Dublin Castle that is an Irish government complex and conference centre that has been in existence since the 13th century.
Other places to visit are the Grafton Street, Kilmainham Gaol, Glendalough and St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Interesting facts
Irish is known as the origin of Guinness beer since it was first brewed in St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin in the year 1759.
Irish and English are the two official languages.
Majority of the Irish people are Roman Catholics.
