Ads
related to: IrelandYou'll See More & Do More. Unrivaled Support, 24/7. This Is How Travel Should Be. Get To The Heart Of Irish Culture On A Tour Through Ireland, The Emerald Isle.
A+ Rating - Better Business Bureau
- Your Dream Trip, $99 Down
Pay Over Time With No Interest.
Low Automatic Monthly Payments.
- Travel Solo, Not Alone
No One To Go With? Don’t Let That
Stop You! Go Guided With Us.
- Shop Black Friday Deals
Save Up To $800 On Winter &
Spring Departures By 11/7
- Save Up To $700 Off Tours
On Last-Minute Specials!
Make Your Dream Trip A Reality
- Your Dream Trip, $99 Down
Tour Ireland With The Top-Rated Irish Travel Agency. See The Best Of Ireland With Our Quality Tours And Lowest Price Guarantee
Save up to 40% with Ireland Vacations. Best price & service guarantee.
Search results
Learn about Ireland, an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Explore its history from ancient Gaelic kingdoms to modern sovereignty, its geography of low-lying mountains and mild climate, and its culture of languages and literature.
Plan your trip to Ireland with Ireland.com, the official website of Tourism Ireland. Discover attractions, activities, culture, food, and more across the island of Ireland.
- Overview
- Land
- Relief
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Ireland, country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles.
The magnificent scenery of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline faces a 2,000-mile- (3,200-km-) wide expanse of ocean, and its geographic isolation has helped it to develop a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Gaelic language. Washed by abundant rain, the country’s pervasive grasslands create a green-hued landscape that is responsible for the popular sobriquet Emerald Isle. Ireland is also renowned for its wealth of folklore, from tales of tiny leprechauns with hidden pots of gold to that of the patron saint, Patrick, with his legendary ridding the island of snakes and his reputed use of the three-leaved shamrock as a symbol for the Christian Trinity. But while many may think of Ireland as an enchanted land, the republic has been beset with perennial concerns—emigration, cultural and political identity, and relations with Northern Ireland (comprising the 6 of Ireland’s 32 counties within the province of Ulster that remain part of the United Kingdom). At the beginning of the 21st century, Ireland’s long-standing economic problems were abating, owing to its diverse export-driven economy, but calamity struck again in 2008 when a new financial and economic crisis befell the country, culminating in a very costly bailout of the Irish economy by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund.
The emergence of Ireland as an independent country is a fairly recent phenomenon. Until the 17th century, political power was widely shared among a rather loosely constructed network of small earldoms in often-shifting alliances. Following the so-called “Flight of the Earls” after an unsuccessful uprising in the early 17th century, Ireland effectively became an English colony. It was formally incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801. A 1914 Home Rule Act was passed but never implemented due to pro-union militancy in the north, the onset of World War I, and the subsequent Irish War of Independence. In 1920 the island was effectively partitioned with the creation of Northern Ireland, a six-county area with devolved powers within the United Kingdom, whereas under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 6, 1921, the other 26 counties became the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth and Empire. In 1937 the southern state passed a new constitution that offered a more robust expression of sovereignty, and in 1949 it formally left the Commonwealth as the Republic of Ireland.
Since then Ireland has become integrated with the rest of western Europe. It joined the European Economic Community (forerunner of the EU) in 1973. Though the country generally retained a neutral role in international affairs, in 2008 Ireland became an impediment to the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty—an agreement aimed at streamlining the EU’s processes and giving it a higher international profile—when the Irish voted against the passage of the treaty in a national referendum. The treaty, however, was approved by Irish voters in a second referendum, held the following year.
Britannica Quiz
Geography Fun Facts
The republic of Ireland occupies the greater part of an island lying to the west of Great Britain, from which it is separated—at distances ranging from 11 to 120 miles (18 to 193 km)—by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St. George’s Channel. Located in the temperate zone between latitudes 51°30′ and 55°30′ N and longitudes 6°00′ and 10°30′ W—as...
The territory of the republic consists of a broad and undulating central plain underlain by limestone. This plain is ringed almost completely by coastal highlands, which vary considerably in geologic structure. The flatness of the central lowland—which lies for the most part between 200 and 400 feet (60 and 120 metres) above sea level—is relieved in many places by low hills between 600 and 1,000 feet (180 to 300 metres) in elevation. With many lakes, large bog areas, and low ridges, the lowland is very scenic. The principal mountain ranges are the Blue Stack Mountains in the north, the Wicklow Mountains in the east (topped by Lugnaquillia, at 3,039 feet [926 metres]), the Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains in the south, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks in the southwest, and the Twelve Pins in the west. Carrantuohill, at 3,414 feet (1,041 metres) in the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, is the highest point in the republic. In the west and southwest the wild and beautiful coast is heavily indented where the mountains of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, and Kerry thrust out into the Atlantic, separated by deep wide-mouthed bays, some of which—Bantry Bay and Dingle Bay, for example—are, in fact, drowned river valleys. By contrast, the east coast is little indented, but most of the country’s trade passes through its ports because of their proximity to British and Continental markets.
The coastal mountain fringe illustrates the country’s complex geologic history. In the west and northwest as well as in the east, the mountains are composed mainly of granite. Old Red Sandstone predominates in the south, where the parallel folded mountain ridges trend east-west, separated by limestone river valleys. Ireland experienced at least two general glaciations—one covering most of the country and the other extending as far south as a line linking Limerick, Cashel, and Dublin—and the characteristic diversity of Irish scenery owes much to this glacial influence. The large areas of peat bog to be found throughout the country are a notable feature of the landscape.
Learn about Ireland, a country of western Europe with a rich heritage of culture and tradition. Explore its history, map, flag, capital, population, and more from Britannica.
Mar 27, 2024 · Learn about the culture, weather, etiquette and attractions of Ireland from a local expert. Find out how to plan your trip, what to wear, how to get around and how to enjoy the pubs and the people.
An overview of the history, geography, politics, economy, culture and demographics of the sovereign state on the island of Ireland. Learn about its capital, Dublin, its official languages, its relations with the UK and the EU, and more.
Mar 5, 2024 · Discover the best places to stay in Ireland for every taste and mood, from the Wild Atlantic Way to Dublin's LGBTIQ+ scene. Explore the country's stunning coastline, medieval heritage, cultural diversity and natural beauty with Lonely Planet's tips and guides.
Explore Ireland's diverse attractions, from historic landmarks and cultural trails to outdoor activities and scenic landscapes. Find inspiration, tips and offers for your next trip to Ireland.
Ad
related to: IrelandYou'll See More & Do More. Unrivaled Support, 24/7. This Is How Travel Should Be. Get To The Heart Of Irish Culture On A Tour Through Ireland, The Emerald Isle.
A+ Rating - Better Business Bureau
