Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Ireland

Visited

At a glance

Region
Northern Europe
Capital
Dublin
Population
5.5 million (2025)
Area
70,273 km²
Languages
English, Irish
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Drives on the
left
Calling code
+353
Visited: Ireland

Country visited City 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.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Ireland

Dublin Marathon

Dublin · usually October

A flat, friendly loop of the city on the last Sunday in October. It sells out fast, so enter when registration opens.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland

0 of 2 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Ireland

February 2023 Dublin

Dublin

Whole trip gallery
  • A grand stone church in Dublin under blue sky.
  • The Jeanie Johnston tall ship moored on the Liffey.
  • Dublin's lights reflected in the Liffey at night.
  • The gates of the Guinness Storehouse at St James's Gate.
  • A man sipping a whiskey at a tasting bar lined with bottles.
  • A man in a dark coat standing by the glass wall of a bar with Dublin rooftops below.
  • A grey stone Gothic cathedral with a tall tower under a blue sky with white clouds.
  • The River Liffey flowing between quays lined with colourful terraced buildings under a cloudy sky.
  • A wall covered in colourful vintage enamel signs advertising Irish whiskeys and other brands.
  • Whiskey barrels and display cases inside a distillery with exposed iron beams and a glass walkway.

Plan your trip to Ireland

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Ireland