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08 May 2024
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Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is the country that occupies most of the island of Ireland which is off the coast of England and Wales. It is situated in the Northwestern region of Europe. The island of Ireland is politically divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland) and Northern Ireland which is part of the U.K. It has a very rich, very green land and a hilly geography with numerous plains and rivers. The capital city of Ireland is Dublin.
Ireland has a temperate climate making it neither very cold nor very hot. Although the weather is highly variable, the country basically experiences cool summers and mild winters. It rains quite frequently in Ireland as well. The coldest months are January and February, the warmest months are July and August, and the sunniest months are May and June.
Ireland is 96.4% white, 1.7% Asian, and 1.1% black. It remains one of the six principal Celtic nations and has a predominantly Gaelic culture. The Irish have distinguished themselves in all things art, music, and literature. Ireland has produced fine writers like Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Grey), Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels), Somerville Ross and Bram Stoker (Dracula), Bernard Shaw, George Moore, and many more. Irish music has also influenced genres like American country, punk, rock, jazz, and rock n roll. Ireland is the home of the world renowned rock band, U2 and other artists like Enya and Sinead O'Connor. The Irish predominantly speak English and Irish.
Irish cuisine primarily features meat and dairy products supplemented with vegetables and seafood. Most meals consist of stew, bacon, cabbage, cinnamon, oysters, fish, and lots of cheeses. Tea and coffee are popular everyday drinks in Ireland. Of course, the Irish whiskey and Guinness dry stout are also particularly favoured in Ireland.
Ireland is not known as "The Emerald Isle" for nothing. It is a rich, green land bursting with wonderful sights. A few of them are:
- The Cliffs of Moher: This is Ireland's most visited natural site with over a million visitors each year. The cliffs stretch for 8km along the Atlantic and rise some 214 meters at their highest point. The cliffs are a powerful, magnificent embodiment of the raw beauty of nature that just beg to be visited.
- Grafton Street, Dublin: Grafton street is Dublin's shopping heartland where a person can find nearly everything there is to buy in Ireland. However, shopping is not all there is to this lively street. You can discover buskers, flower sellers, performance artists, and all sorts of entertainment whilst taking a coffee as well!
- Trinity College, Dublin: This is the oldest university in Ireland. It was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. The university is a secluded world unto itself, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city into the somber world of scholarly pursuit. The college is particularly famed for its priceless treasuries including the Book of Kells which is on permanent exhibition.
- Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin: A historical site of immense importance, this is the infamous holding place for criminals where the leaders of Ireland's 1916 uprising were executed for high treason. It was a vile institution that housed people guilty of misdemeanors like failure to pay one's train fare, a testament to Ireland's dark history.
There are several fascinating facts about Ireland. For instance, the three famous Irish symbols are the green shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross. The popular Saint Patrick's day is an importation from the Irish. Also, Ireland is very famous for being the home of world renowned breweries like Guinness, Smith wicks, and Harp Lager.
There are hundreds of easily accessible hotels in Ireland ranging from budget to luxury.
