| Ireland is an island in the northwest of | | | | winners of the Nobel Prize for literature: |
| Europe with an area of 32,595 sq miles. About | | | | George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, |
| 370 km (230 miles) long by 225 km (140 miles) | | | | Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney. |
| wide, Ireland comprises the Republic of | | | | |
| Ireland and Northern Ireland. The population | | | | James Joyce is widely considered as one of |
| of the island of Ireland is approximately 5.8 | | | | the most significant writers of the 20th |
| million people, 4.1 million in the Republic | | | | century. His novel: Ulysses is considered one |
| of Ireland and 1.7 million in Northern | | | | of the greatest novels of the 20th century. |
| Ireland. Ireland is the third largest island | | | | |
| in Europe. | | | | Landscape: The Irish landscape is one of |
| | | | Ireland's greatest attractions. Ireland's |
| Geography: Ireland has thirty-two counties, | | | | most scenic areas lie in the south western |
| and four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, | | | | and western counties. There are several |
| Munster and Ulster. A ring of coastal | | | | National Parks filled with towering hills, |
| mountains surrounds low central plains. About | | | | romantic lakes, and will always remain |
| five percent of Irish land is under forest. | | | | Irelands most unspoiled treasures. |
| The island's green vegetation is a product of | | | | Magnificent scenery has attracted many |
| its mild climate and frequent but soft | | | | visitors to these parks for years. |
| rainfall. Ireland's most scenic areas lie in | | | | |
| the south western and western counties. These | | | | Climate: The Atlantic Gulf Stream keeps the |
| areas are largely mountainous and rocky, with | | | | Irish climate mild most of the year. Average |
| beautiful green views. | | | | temperatures in winter are 4 - 7o C, and in |
| | | | summer are 14 - 18o C. Rainfall is heaviest |
| Irish: is the Celtic language of Ireland. It | | | | in the west and lightest in the southeast, |
| was brought to Ireland by Celtic invaders in | | | | but at all times very unpredictable. |
| 1000 BC, and to the end of the 18th century, | | | | |
| was spoken by the majority of the people. The | | | | Sport: Gaelic hurling and football are the |
| English language gained ground rapidly and | | | | most popular sports in Ireland - they make up |
| Irish is now spoken regularly only in certain | | | | the national sports of Ireland, known as |
| areas in the west of Ireland. It is taught in | | | | Gaelic Games. All Gaelic games are governed |
| all schools, but despite active support from | | | | by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). |
| the government of Ireland, there are probably | | | | |
| fewer than 90,000 speakers. It is the first | | | | Other main sports include: Rugby, Football |
| official language of the Irish Republic and | | | | (soccer), Horse racing and Greyhound racing. |
| recently became an official language of the | | | | |
| European Union (EU). | | | | With a similar landscape a visit across the |
| | | | border into Northern Ireland is a real treat. |
| Literature and the arts: For such a small | | | | If you a planning a trip to Ireland contact |
| country, Ireland has made a large | | | | the northern Ireland Tourist Board - the have |
| contribution to world of art and literature | | | | a now launched a new short break brochure |
| in all its branches, mainly in English. In | | | | full of great ideas to help make your trip |
| more recent times, Ireland has produced four | | | | better. |