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Rich
in history and culture, and with a beautiful natural environment,
the Republic of Ireland has in recent years become one of
the most popular destinations in Europe. Although the picturesque
west-coast counties of Kerry, Galway, Mayo, and Donegal remain
a highlight, increasingly it is Ireland’s culture—her
music and art, but also the warmth of her people—that
is drawing growing numbers of travellers.
For most visitors Dublin, the capital, is their introduction
to the republic, and the city’s Georgian architectural
heritage, fine art collections, and vibrant pub nightlife
are all well worth exploring. Dublin is also a good departure
point for popular destinations such as Kilkenny, a well-preserved
medieval city, Waterford, a bustling commercial centre, and
Cashel, dominated by the striking ruins of the Rock of Cashel.
Topographically, Ireland is rather like a saucer—a central,
watery depression producing the famous peat bogs is surrounded
on all sides by modest highlands. Ireland’s Atlantic
location, influenced by the Gulf Stream, makes its climate
damp and mild, and while the south-east is the driest area,
rain is a regular feature of Irish weather. The climate does,
however, produce the many shades of green that have led to
the epithet the “Emerald Isle”. Ultimately it
is the landscape that dominates impressions of the country—but
not simply the dramatic cliffs, seascapes, mountains and lakes.
The remains of the many civilisations that have flourished
in Ireland—the ancient burial sites, abbeys, monasteries
and castles—are also an integral part of the environment. |
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| View
a Map of Ireland |
| Events
in Ireland : |
Ireland’s
calendar includes a number of festivals that may be worth
planning a trip around. There are massive popular fiestas
such as the Rose of Tralee International Festival, which attracts
thousands of visitors every year to the Kerry town. Authentic
traditional music and dance has a vast annual showcase—with
up to 5,000 traditional musicians wielding their bodhrans
and uillean pipes—in August at the Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann.
The Wexford Opera Festival, held in October and November,
is the jewel of a whole series of internationally respected
festivals of classical music. In early November, the Belfast
Festival, with concerts, film, opera, and theatre, is a serious
rival to its Edinburgh cousin. Among a mixed bag of other
festivals and events stand out the Dublin Horse Show in August,
an international equestrian event and one of the highlights
of the Irish social calendar, the famous Lisdoonvarna Folk
Festival, and the various local events held around Saint Patrick’s
Day (17 March). |
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| Climate
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Warmed
by the Gulf Stream, Ireland has a mild climate. The south-east
of the country gets the most sun and also experiences the
least rainfall. |
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| Language
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The
first official language is Irish, which can be heard mainly
in the gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas of Donegal, Galway,
North Mayo, Kerry, Cork, and Waterford. However, English is
the language of everyday life. |
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| Eating
Out : |
Breakfasts
in Ireland tend to be fairly substantial and may include such
Irish specialities as kippers (smoked herring), black and
white pudding (a form of blood sausage) and porridge (cooked
oatmeal). For lunch and dinner, pubs are a good place to stop
for a traditional, inexpensive meal. Outside the main tourist
areas and large towns, restaurants are less common. Note that
small family-run restaurants in rural areas tend to close
from one to two days a week, often on Sunday and Monday. |
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| Buses
& Trams : |
A
Dublin Explorer ticket entitles you to use all Dublin buses
and DART (suburban rail system) for a fixed price over a four-day
period. This ticket can be bought from newsagents or Dublin
Bus, 59 O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. |
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| Taxis
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Taxis
are available in cities and major towns from taxi stands at
hotels and railway and bus stations. They can also be flagged
in the street. If going long distances, you are advised to
negotiate the price in advance. |
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| Electrical
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The
electrical current used in Ireland is 230 volts AC. Square,
three-pin plugs are used. An adapter is essential for European
appliances. |
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| Public
Holidays
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January 1st : New Years
Day |
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March 17th : St. Patricks
Day |
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Good Friday |
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Easter Monday |
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First Monday in May |
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First Monday in June |
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First Monday in August |
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Last Monday in October |
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December 25th : Christmas
Day |
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December 26th : St. Stephens
Day |
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