Touring Ireland

Welcome to Ireland, The Emerald Isle ! The island of Ireland is made up of 2 countries: The Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Until 1922, there was only one country, called Ireland. Today, Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom Called the Emerald Isle because it is so green.

Population The Republic of Ireland has 4.3 million people. Northern Ireland has 1.6 million people The most densely populated area is Dublin. 20% of Irishmen live in or near Dublin.

Wildlife Only 31 types of animals live in Ireland There are 400 types of birds No snakes live on the Island, and there only only 3 amphibians Many fish live on the island because of the many lakes and rivers Don’t forget about the Loch Ness Monster! Red Deer Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Munster

The Land and Climate There are 3,218 km. of coastland Mountains, rivers, lakes, plains, forests, bogs and rocks are all apart of the island All forms of weather are found here, but most popular: rain. Average Temperatures:  January 6  C  July 17  C The Mountains of County Kerry

Government The capital is in Dublin The President is Mary McAleese There are 4 Provinces: Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster Within these Provinces are many different counties. All together, there are 26 counties in Ireland and 6 in Northern Ireland.

Munster and it’s 7 counties are the most popular places in Ireland for tourists to visit. Cities are Cork, Waterford, Killarney, Tipperary and Limerick Munster is in the southwestern corner of the island and the sea is the most important part of life there. Munster Province Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Munster, Ireland

Waterford Founded by Vikings in 854 Population: 49,250 Famous for its excellent and expensive crystal, Waterford Crystal ! Scotch Quay, Waterford

Waterford Pictures Catherdral of the Most Holy Trinity Barronstrand Street, Waterford A View from the 3 Quays Waterford’s Coat of Arms: Urbs Intacta Manet Waterfordia

Cork Cork was officially founded by England’s King John in 1185, but it was there nearly 600 years before. It is the 2nd Largest city in Ireland. Nearly 380,000 people live in the area. The city and county of Cork are known as ‘Rebels’ and are very proud of being independent.

More of Cork St. Finn Barre’s Cathedral Shandon Bells Cork Courthouse University-Cork

The Blarney Stone In County Cork, 8km from Cork Is a piece of bluestone in the walls of Blarney Castle If you kiss it, you will be able to speak eloquently

Counties Limerick & Kerry St. John’s Cathedral, Limerick Ross Castle, Kerry The Limerick Countryside

Christ’s Saddle, County Kerry, Munster St. John’s Castle, Limerick Counties Kerry & Limerick

The Shannon River and King John’s Castle, County Limerick

The Lakes of Killarney, County Kerry

Leinster Province The largest province in Ireland Also has the most people Is made up of 11 counties, including the city of Dublin. Was the center of the ancient Irish kings. Trim Castle, Built by the French County Meath, Leinster

Dublin - Ireland’s Capital Dublin is Ireland’s largest city, with 1.6 million people. Dublin was founded in 837 by Vikings. It is located on the Liffey River. It has been the capital city of Ireland for nearly 900 years. Is the home of Guinness Beer The Half-Penny Bridge Dublin

Sights of Dublin

The Hill of Tara Legend says that when a new king was chosen, he had to complete some challenges. If he had finished them, the stone would scream at his touch. County Meath, Leinster Tara is the ancient home of the High Kings of Ireland. Means ‘Hill of the Kings’

Powercourt Waterfall, Enniskerry,County Wicklow, Leinster

Connacht Province Connacht was the poorest province in Ireland for many years. Because of bad farming conditions, it also has the smallest population. Many people think of Connacht as the ‘Most Irish’ part of Ireland. Poet John Butler Yeats is from Sligo City, Connacht. Stone Age Passage Tombs Carrowmore, City Sligo, Connacht

Galway City Located on the western coast on the Galway River and Galway Bay Was once an important place for trade in wine Galway Harbor

Galway and the Galway River

Inishmaan Gardens, Aran Islands, Connacht

Sligo City, County Sligo Dominican Abbey

County Mayo Located on the western coast. It is a rocky and mountainous place with many lakes. Because of the rocks and wild weather, few people live here. Connacht

Ancient Structures, County Mayo, Connacht

Cashel, County Roscommon, Connacht

Ulster Province Most of Ulster is in N.Ireland, but 1/3 remains in Ireland. The three counties of Donegal, Cavan and Leitrim are part of Ireland. Most of the historical fighting between Catholics and Protestants took place here. Glenveagh, County Donegal, Ulster

County Donegal Donegal is well known for being different. Their styles of music, dance and language are much different from the rest of Ireland. Music is popular here. Clannad, Enya, Moya Brennan, Rory Gallagher and Altan are all from Donegal. Well-known for its wonderful surfing and rock-climbing. Errigal Mountain County Donegal, Ulster

Slieve League, County Donegal, Ulster

Northern Ireland Since 1922, Northern Ireland has been a part of the United Kingdom. For many years, N.Ireland was dangerous as Catholics fought Protestants The capital is Belfast Ireland’s biggest lake, Lough Neagh, is here. The Giant’s Causeway County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Shipquay Street, Derry, Country Derry, N.Ireland Derry/ Londonderry The town has two names: one for those who like England, and one for those who don’t. Derry is one of the only cities in the world that is still closed by Medieval walls

Grianan of Aileach, County Derry, Ulster, Northern Ireland

The Mourne Mountains, County Down, Northern Ireland

Culture Irish Pubs are in Ireland and over 100 other countries. The sea is one of the most important parts of Irish culture. You can always hear it, see it, smell it. It makes the weather and dictates the economy. Irish dance is popular all over the world. Riverdance, a popular Broadway show, is based on Irish dance.

Sport in Ireland Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association Here, they play Gaelic Rules Football, Hurling and International Football 82,500 people can sit in this stadium

Hurling Rugby Golf Ireland’s Most Popular Sports

The Irish Countryside