Capital City - Dublin
Currency - Euro
Main Languages - English, Irish (Gaelic)
Population - approx. 4,000,000
Public Holidays - New Years Day - (01 January), St. Patricks Day - (17 March), May Day - (the first Monday in May), Christmas Day - (25 December)
Main Airports - Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Knock
Why go on holiday to Ireland ?
It is often said that Ireland is one of those few places on our planet that once visited, can never be forgotten. You will also agree with this statement once you visit this beautiful country. There is a kind of mythic resonance in the landscape of this part of the world and the rich history of
Ireland has something rather tangible as you set foot on this soil. The warm hospitality of the Irish people is a factor that will bring you back here, again and again. The only thing that might be of concern for a holidaymaker, is the weather. True that the weather is not always the most welcome, but as we balance it against the lush landscape, the splendid hospitality, the good food and of course not forgetting about the Guiness from one of the famous Irish pubs, the result is all too apparent. You cannot, but let yourself be pampered by the riches of this land.
What is there to see?
Some of the most popular tourist attractions to visit, are in and around
Dublin. These include the Guiness Storehouse, the 11th century Dublin Castle, the world famous 16th century Trinity College(which is home to the 8th century Book of Kells), Fitzwilliam Street and the Grand Canal, the Old Jameson Irish Whiskey distilleries, the General Post Office (made infamous during the 1916 uprising against the British) and the 11th century Christ Chuch Cathedral. Each of these places have their own set of specialties making them a ‘must see' for visitors to Ireland. Some more of the sites and attractions that you cannot afford to miss in Ireland are; the 11th century Carlow Castle, Glencar Waterfall, the Gap of Dunloe & the Lakes of Killarney, Banna Beach in County Kerry, the Hill of Tara (home to the seat of the High Kings of Ireland), The Quiet Man Cottage (the setting where the famous movie starring Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne was filmed), the Dingle Peninsula (County Kerry), the Waterford Crystal factory, Bunratty Castle (County Clare) and the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle (County Cork). These are just some of the attractions to see when in Ireland.
What is there to do?
Whatever your definition of pleasure is, Ireland always has something to offer for everyone. There are countless fun things to do in Ireland. Hiking, biking and some of the best fishing in the world can be found in Ireland. With golf courses everywhere, the keen golfer will have no trouble in finding a challenging course. Dublin is also a heaven for shopaholics and the opportunities in this city are endless.
