Traveling Luck for Ireland. Ireland, Europe

Ireland is located in Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain.

Land in Ireland is mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast.

Irish land covers an area of 70280 square kilometers which is slightly larger than West Virginia

Ireland has borders with United Kingdom for 360km.

Irish flag Irish national flag (Flag of Ireland)

As for the Irish climate; temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time.

Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) speak English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard.

Places of note in Ireland

Irish Map Irish map

Regions of Ireland

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.

Country Profile for Ireland

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 7% in 1995-2004. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies and the second highest in the EU behind Luxembourg. Over the past decade, the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations.

Irish natural resources include natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

Irish religion is Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census).

Natural hazards in Ireland include NA.

Travel Advice for Ireland

Ireland

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section (EHIC).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • Ireland shares with the rest of Europe a threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.

  • We recommend you carry an acceptable form of photo-identification for travel between the UK and Ireland.

  • The currency in Ireland is the Euro.

  • Around 3.5 million British tourists visit Ireland each year.  They usually require consular assistance for lost passports; when they are victims of petty theft; or if they are care-in-the-community psychiatric patients, finding themselves in trouble for public order offences, after travelling to Ireland alone and not taking their medication regularly.  Most incidents occur in the Dublin area.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Terrorism
Ireland shares with the rest of Europe a threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.  Please see the Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages for further information and advice.
Crime
Most visitors to Ireland enjoy a trouble-free time and experience no difficulties during their stay.  The capital, Dublin, is a bustling city and tends to be the centre for nightlife and shopping, attracting a lot of people.  The Dublin shopping centre is very busy especially at weekends.  Take normal, sensible precautions to avoid personal attacks, bag snatching and pick pocketing.  Try to avoid carrying valuables and large sums of money.
You should make sure that vehicles are properly secured, and where possible park in secure parking lots.  Do not leave valuables such as handbags or mobile phones in your car.
Political Situation
Ireland Country Profile


LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

In January 2005 Ireland changed all road signs from imperial to metric measurements.
Do not drink and drive over the legal drinking limit.  You may be heavily penalised or even imprisoned.
It is now illegal to smoke in places of employment in Ireland.  This covers pubs and restaurants.  Do not be tempted to light up.
Do not become involved with drugs of any kind.  Possession of even small quantities can lead to long terms of imprisonment.  Do not offer to carry parcels or luggage for any other person when entering or leaving Ireland.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Ireland, along with the UK, is a member of the Common Travel Area.  This means that UK passport holders do not require their passport to visit Ireland for immigration purposes.  However, we recommend you carry an acceptable form of photo-identification for travel between the UK and Ireland (and between UK airports).


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.  You should ensure that you have sufficient medical insurance to cover your stay in Ireland.  If you need a doctor you may be asked to pay for the consultation there and then.
You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Irish nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see the Europe and EHIC page on the FCO website via the following link Europe and the EHIC.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see: What We Can Do To Help
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Ireland.  For more details about this please see: DfT - Airline Security Update
Check before you travel that your bank cash card can be used in ATM machines in Ireland.  Remember that the currency in Ireland is the Euro.