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Ireland Travel Info
If you’re looking for lush green scenery, Celtic tradition, music, dance and more, look no further than the beautiful country of Ireland. Steeped in history and heritage, Ireland has given birth to Irish folk music and dance, as well as many acclaimed poets and novelists, including Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats and James Joyce. From the Cliffs of Moher to the Waterford Crystal Factory to the Blarney Stone, you will return from your Emerald Isle journey with many a memory.
Ireland Fast Facts
- Capital: Dublin
- Population: 4 million
- Language: English, Gaelic
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Time Zone: EST plus 5 hours
- Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
History of Ireland
People have inhabited Ireland since around 6000 B.C., leaving behind gold ornaments and stone monuments that have captivated the imagination of historians worldwide. Celtic tribes, from whom most Irish people can trace their roots, arrived on the island around 600 B.C. Tradition maintains that St. Patrick arrived on the island in 432 A.D. and, in the years that followed, worked to convert the island to Christianity. In the years that followed, Irish scholars excelled in the study of Latin, Christian theology and the arts of manuscript illumination, metalworking and sculpture—evident in the intricate carved stone crosses that dot the island.
Nordic invasions, which began in the late eighth century, were finally ended when King Brian Boru defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the twelfth century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle, marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. Religious freedom, outlawed in the eighteenth century, was restored in 1829. But this victory for the Irish Catholic majority was overshadowed by the Great Potato Famine from 1846 to 1848. Millions died, and millions more immigrated to the United States.
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 counties (Northern Ireland) remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948, Ireland officially withdrew from the British Commonwealth. In modern times, the Irish government has sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and has cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. Ireland joined the European Community (now the EU) in 1973 and continues to grow in stature and strength as a young, independent country.
Ireland Weather
Ireland has warm summers and cooler winters. Spring and fall are mild. Clouds make an appearance in the Emerald Isle’s skies year-round. Pack lightweight clothing for the summer and warmer clothing in winter. Rain gear is essential year-round.
Ireland City Highlights
Dublin, Ireland
Travel to Dublin, Ireland, the Irish capital. Hailed as the “Celtic Tiger,” Dublin has created quite a roar in Western Europe, transforming itself into one of the continent’s most popular tourist destinations. Whether exploring legendary Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College with its Book of Kells, strolling among elegant shops and galleries, or playing a round of world-class golf, you’ll discover a place as vibrant and genuine as the people who live there.
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