Country Guide • Ireland (Eire)
Ireland is located on an island in the eastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean and on the western fringe of Europe. It is bound by Northern Ireland to the north east, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea to the east, the St. Georges Channel to the south east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
| Official Name | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|
| Area | 70,282km² (27,136mile²) |
| Population | 3,923,000 |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population per mile² | 145 |
| Capital City | Dublin |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 91.5%, Church of Ireland (Anglican) 2.5%, Presbyterian 0.4%, Methodist 0.1%, Jewish 0.1% |
| Language | English and Irish Gaelic |
| Government | Democracy |
| Member of EU | Yes |
| Currency | Euro |
| GDP | $103.4 billion |
| GDP per Head | $26,995 |
| Natural Resources | Peat, zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, silver |
| Land Use | Arable Land 20% |
| Agriculture | Barley, turnips, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, beef and dairy products |
| Industry | Computer software, information technology, food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, pharmaceuticals, tourism |
| Tourism | In excess of 4 million visitors per year. They savour the rolling countryside, old pubs and inns, the immence history and very amiable people |
| Natural Hazards | None |
| Health Risks | None |
| Climate | Ireland has a temperate climate with mild, often damp and changeable conditions. Rainfall is heaviest in the west where it can exceed 120 inches per annum while 60% of the country has an average annual rainfall of 40 inches. Average temperature ranges are from 4 to 7°C in January or February to 14 to 16°C in July or August |
| Time | GMT/UTC (GMT + 1 hour from last Sunday in March to Saturday before the last Sunday in October) |
| National Days | March 17 St Patrick’s Day |
| Visas | United Kingdom passport holders do not require their passport to visit Ireland for immigration purposes. However, some airlines require photo ID for travel between the UK and Ireland (and between some UK airports). Check with your airline when booking your ticket what is required. It is a good idea to take your passport anyway, just in case. For citizens of the EU and most Western countries no visa is required |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
