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