Tourist information Ireland, including all the useful things to know before leaving for a trip or vacation in this state of the United Kingdom with the capital Dublin.
Ireland in a nutshell
- Capital: Dublin
- Area in sq km: 70,283
- Population: 3,917,203 (first half 2001)
- Religion: Catholic with Anglican minority
Ireland - Eire
- Capital: Belfast
- Area in sq km: 14,120
- Population: 1,692,000 (first half 2001)
- Religion: Protestant with Catholic minority
Northern Ireland - Great Britain
Where is it
Ireland is separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea, the St. George canal and the North Canal, facing north, west and south on the Atlantic Ocean.
The coasts of Ireland are highly articulated; large bays alternate with narrow incisions that penetrate the interior.
Along the coasts of Ireland there are some isolated hills, while the central part is occupied by low plains interrupted by rounded bumps.
There are numerous lakes, almost all with flat banks, and there are also many marshy lands, moors and pastures.
Hydrography
The longest river in Ireland is Shannon: it originates in Cavan and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, cuts the island in two, forms three lakes in its path: Lough Ree, Lough Allen, Lough Derg and is connected to the River Erne through channels.
Other important rivers are the Liffey which flows through Dublin, the Lee, the Blackwater, the Suir, the Nore, the Barrow, the Boyne.
Ireland is full of lakes. The lakes of Killarney located in Killarney National Park are well known and appreciated in the tourism sector.
Climate
The climate is oceanic, cool temperate with warm winters and cool summers. It rains a lot and there is a strong humidity. Mists are frequent.
Population
About a quarter of the population lives in Dublin. A rural reality that has always distinguished this country is present in a life typical of big cities. In the past, Ireland has experienced strong emigration, especially to the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Time zone
In Ireland compared to Italy, the clock hands must be moved one hour behind during the whole period of the year.
Recommended readings- Highlands (Scotland): what to see in the region
- Liverpool (England): what to see
- Ireland: useful information
- Glasgow (Scotland): what to see
- Great Britain (United Kingdom): useful information
Tongue
The official language of Ireland is Gaelic together with English. The majority of the population speaks English even though Gaelic is always taught in schools and the official documents are in both languages.
Economy
Ireland's economy was the protagonist of strong growth in the 1990s due to the increase in exports in some technologically advanced sectors such as the IT, chemical and telecommunications industry.
Although this growth slowed in the years 2001/03, the export of IT products, together with the recovery in construction and industrial investments, led to the expansion of the sectors of industry and services, significantly exceeding the agriculture that was once the most important.
When to go
Winter is not recommended to visit Ireland for climatic reasons. The summer months are the best for visiting Ireland as many visits depend on the weather.
Necessary documents
An identity card valid for expatriation or a passport is required to enter Ireland.
Phone
The international prefix to call Ireland from Italy is: 00353 followed by the prefix without the 0 and the desired number.
The international prefix to call Northern Ireland from Italy is: 0044 followed by the prefix without the 0 and the desired number.
The dialing code for Italy is 0039.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 / volt.
Currency
The official currency of Ireland (Eire) is the Euro, while that of Northern Ireland is the British Pound.
Credit cards are normally accepted and it is possible to make ATM withdrawals.
How to get
plane
The Irish flag carrier Aerlingus flies from Venice and Milan Linate to Dublin. From Milan Malpensa flights to Dublin and Belfast. From Rome Fiumicino flights to Dublin, Belfast and Cork. During the summer months, flights to Dublin are also available from Bologna, Catania and Naples.
Ryanair organizes flights from the following Italian cities:
- from Rome Ciampino, Milan Orio Al Serio, Venice, Turin, Alghero, Bologna, Pisa, Cuneo and Trapani (summer months) to Dublin
- flights from Milan Orio Al Serio, Turin and Venice (summer months) also to Shannon.
From Italy, other European flag carriers provide scheduled flights to Ireland with a stopover in the capitals of their countries such as Airfrance, Klm, Swissair, BritishAirways.
Sea
- Leaving from France and Great Britain, the Irish ports are Dublin, Cork, Rosslare, Belfast, Larne, Ballycastle.
- From France you can reach Ireland starting from Roscoff, Le Havre, Cherbourg and from Great Britain starting from Holyhead, Pembroke, Fishguard, Swansea, Cairnryan, Liverpool, Campbeltown.
Train
British Rail International with Inter-Rail card, a ticket that allows you to travel all over Europe, there are several ways to get to Ireland via London.
Bus
Eurolines provides connections via London.
