Ireland is located in western Europe and is a key location on the main sea and air routes between northern Europe and North America. The island of Ireland is divided into 2 countries – Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the south. The Republic of Ireland, or Ireland, is divided into four provinces – Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster – and these 4 provinces are divided into 26 counties, the capital of Ireland is Dublin.
Ireland has a long history, dating back 33,000 years, but the arrival of Celtic tribes to the island around 600 BC dramatically changed Irish society. In 1921, 26 counties in the south of Ireland gained independence from Great Britain, and the Irish Free State was born. A few years later, in 1937, Ireland was proclaimed a republic. In 1948, Ireland seceded from the British Commonwealth and then joined the European Community (now the European Union) in 1973.
The Republic of Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country, while Northern Ireland is predominantly Protestant. The official languages of Ireland are English and Irish, with English being the first and spoken language. Irish remains a spoken language in the “Gaeltacht” areas in the west of the island.
Ireland is in the Greenwich time zone, with clocks going forward one hour in March and back one hour in October to ease the transition to daylight saving time. The Irish weather is mixed, and its main feature is constant rain. Therefore, having four seasons in one day is not uncommon! As a result of this humid climate, Ireland is known for its beautiful green landscapes, for which it has received the informal name “Emerald Isle”.
Ireland is one of the most progressive and fastest growing European economies, attracting a huge influx of people and a huge amount of financial investment.
The Irish people are very sociable, naturally polite and try to welcome visitors to the country, and are famous for their “Cead Mile Failte” (“a hundred thousand greetings”). Irish history and identity are a source of pride for the Irish and have a huge impact on their character and attitude towards other nations. Compared to other parts of Western Europe, life in Ireland is a bit more relaxed. The Irish value family and friends and love spending time with them. Family and friends are very important to their quality of life. In the evenings and on weekends, local pubs, cafes and restaurants are crowded with people socializing over food and drinks.