Ireland report. Ireland What part of the mainland is Ireland located in?

Useful data for tourists about Ireland, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Ireland, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Ireland.

Geography of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is a state in Western Europe that occupies most of the island of Ireland. The western coast is indented by deep bays. The interior is dominated by lowlands with numerous lakes and marshes; low mountains rise in the southern part of the island and near the coast. The highest point is Mount Karrantohil (1041 meters above sea level).

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Language

Official language: Irish (Gaelic), English

Religion

Catholics - 93%, Protestants - 5%.

Currency

International name: EUR

Popular Attractions

Ireland Tourism

Where to stay

Ireland enjoys constant popularity among tourists. Hotels in this country have a standard international classification, while the quality of service here is strictly controlled by the Irish Hotel Federation. Therefore, choosing one of the hotels, you can be sure of the appropriate service. As a rule, a buffet breakfast is included in the price of accommodation in hotels.

In addition to hotels in Ireland, accommodation in the so-called guest houses is possible. Hotels of this type also have their own classification - from one to four stars. For those who prefer the comfort of home and a family atmosphere, family B&Bs are scattered all over Ireland, especially in small towns. Here you can enjoy traditional home cooking, but be aware that in some hotels breakfast includes muesli and bread with jam, while in others it is a varied buffet. Check this point in advance.

No less popular among tourists is accommodation in ancient palaces and castles. Although the cost of living is quite high, tourists are also offered swimming pools, golf courses, and spa centers.

Well, those who want to completely immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere will like accommodation in rural hotels. Here you will be offered not only to relax your body and soul, but also the opportunity to perform some agricultural work, for example, to look after the garden. In addition, meals are exclusively made from fresh local products.

It is worth considering that during major holidays all hotels must be booked in advance, while the cost of living on these days can be increased several times. As a rule, all hotels have pubs or restaurants.

Popular hotels

Tours and attractions in Ireland

Ireland is an amazing country with beautiful natural landscapes and an ancient history that dates back to ancient times. The most interesting historical, architectural and cultural attractions, as well as the original Irish flavor will provide a unique atmosphere and a lot of impressions.

The capital of Ireland Dublin is the historical, cultural and economic center of the country. The city is very popular among European tourists. Most of Ireland's most important sights are concentrated in Dublin and its environs. Among the most interesting places in Dublin, it is worth mentioning St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Christ Cathedral, Dublin Cathedral Mosque, Dublin Needle or Light Monument, Manderley Castle, Leinster House (Parliament House). Also of interest are the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Heraldry, Trinity College and its Book of Kells, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Abbey National Theater of Ireland and the National Botanic Gardens. An important attraction of the city is Phoenix Park - one of the largest public parks in the world. On its territory there are attractions such as the Presidential Residence, Ashtown Castle, the Papal Cross, as well as one of the most famous European zoos - the Dublin Zoo. St Stephen's Green is located in the central part of Dublin - this picturesque place is quite popular among both locals and visitors to the city.

The second largest city in Ireland is Cork (the administrative center of the county of the same name). In the historical center of the city there are many architectural, historical and cultural attractions. The most interesting of them are St. Finbarr's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Street, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Church, St. Anne's Church, City Hall, Cork Museum, Cork Opera House, Crawford Art Galleries and Firkin Crane Center. The vibrant nightlife of Cork is also famous, with many nightclubs and traditional Irish pubs. There are also Blackrock and Desmond Castles in County Cork.

Many historical and natural attractions are located in County Kerry. The most famous are Lakes of Killarney, Blasket Islands, Brandon and Carantwill Mountains, Urag Stone Ring, Scotia Cave, Killarney National Park, Macross Abbey, Ballycarbury and Ross Castles, Macross House and Gallarus Oratory. The city of Galway is also popular among tourists. It is worth seeing the Church of St. Nicholas, the Cathedral, Lynch Castle, the City Museum and the Spanish Arch.

On the territory of County Galway are the famous Aran Islands and one of the most picturesque corners of the country - Connemara. In the city of Limerick, it is worth visiting King John's Castle, St. John the Baptist's Cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral, Bishop's Palace, City Hall and the Hunt Museum. Also interesting to visit is the oldest city in Ireland - Waterford with its oldest building Reginalds Tower and Treasure Museum.

In the east of Ireland in County Meath is the world-famous Brú na Boine, a complex of 40 burial mounds. The most famous of them - the three huge tombs of Newgrange, Naut and Daut, located in the center of the complex, surpass the legendary Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids in their age. These majestic structures are of colossal historical significance and are the most important monuments of megalithic art in Europe.

Irish Cuisine

Irish cuisine is distinctively simple, with Northern Ireland - the "Emerald Isle" - producing some of the finest organic produce in the world. Proximity to the sea, climate and vast countryside strongly influence the products common in Northern Ireland. Thanks to abundant rains, pastures are always full of juicy grass, which is good for the production of milk, which in turn makes excellent cream, butter and cheese. The green Irish hills make an excellent base for raising cattle, and the mild climate means the cattle can graze in the meadows all year round and the meat comes out juicy and tasty; it is on the basis of such fresh lamb that the traditional Irish stew is prepared.

The excellent soil and climate also create ideal conditions for growing the potato, which has been a staple of Irish cuisine ever since it was brought from South America via Spain. Potatoes form the basis of many Irish soups, pies, dumplings, breads, buns, pies and even pancakes. One of the most famous Irish dishes is colcannon (from the old name "cole" - cabbage), which is made from mashed potatoes, chopped cabbage, onions and seasonings. Champ is a similar dish, but the potatoes are not chopped very finely and are mixed with finely chopped green onions, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Another traditional potato dish is boxty - pancakes made from grated potatoes fried in a pan.

Various fish are found in abundance in the rivers and lakes of Northern Ireland: salmon, trout, perch, eel, pike. Lobsters, shrimps, oysters and mussels are caught in the sea, as well as all kinds of fish, including cod, rays, flounder, herring and mackerel. In addition to seafood, red algae (dulse) are mined in the sea, which were traditionally used for food. Algae can be mixed with mashed potatoes (dulse champ). Irish moss or pearl moss (an edible seaweed) is often harvested in the spring and is used either fresh or dried.

Ireland has many delicious traditional pastries. This is farls (farls), which are baked from wheat flour with the addition of oatmeal in the form of a quarter of a circle (since in translation this word means "one fourth"). Very popular soda bread (soda bread) with its unusual sour taste (thanks to the use of buttermilk). Potato bread is another traditional dish and is served cold or fried in pork fat as part of breakfast. Bram brack fruit bread, reminiscent of the Welsh bara brith, is served with tea with butter.

Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is one of the most attractive and mysterious European countries. A land of fairies and elves, fiery revolutionaries and paradoxical writers, romantic legends and pragmatic whiskey makers...
Ireland is one of the oldest countries in Europe, which has perfectly preserved its culture and historical heritage - despite the difficult fate - the territory of Ireland is still divided between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain...

Ireland - Republic of Ireland, Poblacht na hÉireann in Irish, Republic of Ireland in English - occupies most of the island of the same name. The name comes from the Irish word Éire meaning "state".

In addition to the Republic of Ireland, there is also Northern Ireland, Tuaisceart Éireann or Northern Ireland. It is an administrative and political unit of the United Kingdom with its capital in the city of Belfast. It includes 6 of the 9 counties of the historical province of Ulster.

Administrative Republic of Ireland divided into 4 historical provinces - Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht; and those, in turn, into 26 counties. 20 counties belong to the independent Republic, 6 - to Northern Ireland.

The independence of the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed in 1949, in 1973 the country joined the European Union.
Ireland is a parliamentary republic, its Parliament consists of two houses - representatives and the Senate. Executive power belongs to the president elected for 7 years, and in fact - to the prime minister approved by the president.

Island of Ireland, by the way, the third largest among the European islands, located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean; from the east it is also washed by the Irish Sea.
Accordingly, the climate of Ireland is temperate maritime, with mild winters and cool summers, with a significant amount of precipitation - which made Ireland the "Emerald Isle".
The warmest month of the year is July, the average air temperature is + 18-20 C. The coldest is January, with an average monthly temperature of minus 9 degrees Celsius.

The capital of country- town Dublin, with a population of just over one and a half million people.
Dublin is a city-county located on the Dublin Bay of the Irish Sea. Being the center of the political, cultural and economic life of Ireland, Dublin is also the main port city of the country.
The most popular version of the etymology of the city's name is "Black Pool", and the modern Irish name of the capital is Baile Átha Cliath, or BÁC for short, meaning "settlement at the ford" (the River Liffey, which flows into Dublin Bay). We will talk about Dublin below, when describing the sights of the country.

The second largest city in the country Cork, it is home to about 200,000 people (including suburbs).
Yet Irish population is, according to 2006, just over 4.2 million people. Of these, the majority - more than 88% - are "native Irish" of Celtic origin. National minorities are represented by another 40 nationalities, among which, for obvious reasons, the British are in the lead - 2.74% of the population. Following are the Poles - 1.5%, an honorable third place, less than 1%, went to the Lithuanians.

Time in Ireland behind Moscow for 3 hours.
National currency- euro
Official languages ​​of Ireland- Irish and English.

Religion in Ireland traditionally plays an important role in public life. The main denomination is Catholicism; followed by Protestantism. In Northern Ireland, which remained in the possession of Britain, the Protestant population predominates.

Cities and sights of Ireland
The center and heart of the country is its capital, elegant Dublin.
It is believed that the city was founded in 841 by the Scandinavians, at the confluence of the River Liffey into Dublin Bay. But the first mention of a Celtic settlement on this site dates back to the middle of the 2nd century AD and belongs to the Greek astronomer and geographer Ptolemy.

One of the first English invasions of Ireland dates back to 1169, when Dublin, after its capture by Henry II Plantagenet, became a royal city and a stronghold of English influence in the country for a long time. Since then, the city has preserved several architectural landmarks - first of all, of course, Dublin Castle, which housed the British government. Not far from it are the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Cathedral of Christ and Church of St. Audina.

Of the other architectural and historical attractions of Dublin, Blackrock House, the summer residence of the Irish viceroys, should be cancelled; obelisk in honor of the Duke of Wellington; Fifteen Acres Square - a place of noble duels; the labyrinth of old streets around Temple Bar, the focus of Georgian architecture in the areas of Marriott Square, Ely Plate ... And, of course, the main street of the city - O'Connoll Street - many times destroyed and restored, a motley mixture of architectural styles and eras.

Dublin boasts a rich cultural heritage. It is not for nothing that so many famous English-speaking writers were born in it: Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, William Yeats, Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift and even the creator of Dracula Bram Stoker! Dubliners are proud of their famous countrymen and honor them - for example, on June 16, the townspeople annually celebrate Bloomsday - a holiday dedicated to the protagonist of James Joyce's novel "Ulysses".
The city is home to the National Library of Ireland and the National Printing Museum, the Civic Museum and museums of national and contemporary art, many theatres, exhibition and concert halls, the Trinity College complex and the Royal Irish Yacht Club...

Other sights of Ireland are, first of all, medieval castles, the amazing nature of the country and the world-famous town of Newgrange - a megalithic religious building older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza.

Many ancient castles are now home to national parks, cultural or tourist organizations, including 4-5 star hotels. For example - the estate of Count Macross, now - National Park Macross. Or Cabra Castle in County Cavan - now it's not just a hotel, but a haunted hotel! And in the castle of the Earl of Thomond (Bunratty, County Clare) medieval banquets for tourists are often held - but keep in mind that not only treats, but also serving will be medieval, that is, you will have to eat with your hands ...

Limerick is famous not only for its comic quintuples, but also for its 800-year-old royal castle, and the city's cathedral - the same age as the castle ... Residents of the seaside town of Dingle speak only their native Gaelic, willingly study Celtic culture, and in the city itself there are many fish restaurants on the ocean serving delicious local dishes made from freshly caught fish...

Irish cuisine
Here we smoothly move on to the culinary topic. Irish cuisine is the cuisine of a country that has remained poor throughout most of its history. Therefore, it is simple and resourceful in the use of the main food product - potatoes.
Potato pancakes (boxty), mashed potatoes with green onions, butter and milk (champ), mashed potatoes with cabbage, potato bread (potato bread) - this is not a complete list of various potato dishes known to the Irish.
Milk and dairy products are widely used by the Irish, although until the 80s of the last century in Ireland there was only one type of cheese - cheddar. One of the traditional dairy dishes is Goody - bread boiled in milk with sugar and spices.
Popular meat dishes: Irish stew - lamb stew with onions and, yes, potatoes; Crubeens - boiled, pre-salted, pork leg; bacon stewed with cabbage...

Irish cuisine may seem rustic to some. But the Irish took revenge in the field of drinks! Irish whiskey, Irish beer - there is no person who does not know Guinness or Kilkenny, has not heard at least once the name Bushmills or has not tried Irish coffee ... And the famous Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur and its less famous, but no less tasty "brothers": Carolans Irish Cream, O "Gradey" s Country Cream ... And the Irish also have apple cider and their own moonshine - Potin, made from malt or potatoes. Yes, Ireland is worth visiting just to taste its delicious drinks at the place of their manufacture!

Holidays in Ireland
March 17 - the day of St. Patrick, the educator of Ireland and, according to legend, the creator of whiskey - the main national holiday of the country. Ireland also owes the green color and the shamrock as a symbol to this saint - with the help of the clover shamrock, the educator explained to the people the concept of the Holy Trinity.
On this day, it is customary to cook traditional Irish dishes, as well as “clover pastries” (Shamrock Cake), washing down the treat with a lot of whiskey,

Customs regulations (information from the Travel ru website): import and export of currency is not limited, standard weapons-drugs-pornography are prohibited. When importing medicines, you must have a prescription written by a doctor. Imported cigarettes are not subject to duty - up to 200 pieces, alcoholic beverages - with a strength of over 22% - up to 1 liter, less - up to 2 liters; perfumes up to 50 ml and personal items. Attention: the current changes in customs rules must be clarified immediately before the trip!

Website of the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in Russia: www. dfa.ie/home

In preparing the article, the following sites were used: wikipedia, travel ru, gastronom ru, veter-s.ru

History of Ireland briefly

One of the countries that almost always remained aloof from the events of world significance has always been Ireland. You can briefly describe its early history - it began in the 4th century BC, when the Celts settled this land. Six centuries later, a full-fledged state appeared here, which peacefully existed until 796. It was during these years that the Vikings began to raid all the islands of the British archipelago. For some time they even entrenched themselves on the island, but in 1014, after the Battle of Clontarf, they were expelled. However, the Normans (who, in fact, are also Vikings) seized power in Britain in 1080, and already in 1169 she attacked the island, gradually seizing power in it completely.
The British for a long time suppressed any attempts by the Irish to restore independence. In the middle of the 17th century, an uprising arose here, which was brutally suppressed by the British. Only in 1921 did it achieve relative independence, having achieved the status of a dominion of Great Britain. However, after two world wars, the power of Britain weakened, and in 1949 the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed. Meanwhile, six counties of Ulster (the northern part of the island) remained under British control. Ireland and Britain have since peacefully co-existed, and have entered into a series of agreements to peacefully settle all matters relating to the disputed territory.
Thus, it is possible to describe the history of Ireland briefly. As for our days, the capital of modern Ireland is Dublin, this is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. Today it occupies an area of ​​70,273 sq. km, and 4 and a half million inhabitants live here. The Irish pound is in use here, and Irish with English. Irish landmarks date from both the Middle Ages and the early period. Nature did not deprive this island.
Ireland has an indescribable flavor - folk dances, friendly people and love for the green color - these are far from all the features of the local culture. A large number of ancient castles have remained here, many of them today have turned into hotels. The oldest Irish city is Waterford - the Vikings founded it in 914. The Irish are Catholics, this faith came here along with the English expansion. However, the locals also wished to stand out here, considering St. Patrick as their main patron.

General information about the country

Name The Constitution of Ireland, adopted in 1937, states that "the name of the state is Éire, or, in English, Ireland". In 1949, the name "Republic of Ireland" was adopted as a description of the state; its name is still simply "Ireland". However, in various spheres, official and unofficial, the name "Republic of Ireland" is widely used to distinguish the state from British Northern Ireland and the island as a whole.

Capital: Dublin. Area: 70,280 sq. km. Population: 3,797,257 Administrative-territorial division: 4 provinces with 26 counties. Language: The official languages ​​are Irish and English. Currency: Irish pound (100 pence).

Member of organizations: UN (since 1955), Council of Europe (since 1949), OECD (since 1960), EU (since 1973), Euratom (since 1973), European Monetary System (since 1979).

Geographical position

Ireland is located on the island of the same name (occupies most of it) in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Great Britain. The length from north to south is 465 km, from east to west - 285 km. The length of the coast is about 2.8 thousand km. The entire middle part of the island is occupied by a hilly plain, replete with lakes and peat bogs. The central plain rises to the edges of the island, giving way to low mountains. In the southwest in the mountains of Kerry is the highest point in Ireland - the city of Carrantwill (1041 m). The shores of the island are heavily indented and abound with fjords, bays, bays and deep estuaries. The total area of ​​the country is about 70.3 thousand square meters. km.

Ireland consists of a low central plain and its elevated rim. However, both the interior plain and the coastal mountains have significant specifics. The surface of the plain is complicated by individual hills, and in the surrounding ring of mountains there are gaps through which the plain is connected to the coast, this is especially noticeable in the area between Dublin and Dundalk on the east coast.

The coastline is strongly dissected. Elongated sea bays cut into the depths of mountains and lowlands, forming a picturesque coastline with many peninsulas and islands. The interior of the island (Central Plain) is mostly low-lying, about 60 m above sea level. At the base of it lie red sandstones and limestones, overlain by thick (up to 60 m) glacial deposits. Separate hills, rising to a height of 180-300m, are the remains of Hercynian structures or a cover of carbonic limestones. The latter form island plateaus up to 600 m high along the outskirts of the lowland, where (especially in the west) karst is widely developed. In the northeast there are plateaus (Antrim) and lowlands formed by tertiary outpourings of basalts. Deposits of peat and coal.

The highest point in Northern Ireland is Mount Slieve Donard (850 m) in the Morne Mountains north of Carlingford Lough. These mountains drop steeply to the sea. The Spurrin Mountains, located southwest of Londonderry (sometimes also called Derry), reach their highest height of 683 m (Soel). The volcanic ridge, formed in the Eocene, stretched from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the north almost to Belfast Lough. It shares the historical region of Antrim. Most of the peaks of the ridge are currently leveled, and the entire area is used for pasture. Much of the area around Armagh has a runoff north to Loch Ness. To the south, a predominantly rugged relief is developed. Mount Slieve Gallion, located 5 km from the southern border of Northern Ireland, reaches a height of 575 m. The highlands of this area, for all their massiveness and dissection, do not create obstacles for transport or for the penetration of the prevailing south-westerly winds, which bring moisture and moderate temperatures in the east and in the west.

Inland waters

Ireland has a dense and constantly full-flowing river network; the largest is the Shannon River (384 km long). The Shannon River is the longest navigable river in the British Isles. The river flows into the ocean outside the city of Limerick. With a total length of 350 kilometers, the Shannon River connects the navigable part of rivers and lakes with a total length of about 250 miles. The river is suitable for tours, cruises and family rafting. Most rivers are characterized by slow flow; often flow through chains of lakes. Many are navigable and connected by canals. Abundant lakes, mainly of ancient glacial origin; there are also tectonic (Loch Ness) and karst lakes. Enormous and beautiful are the lakes of Erne, about 50 miles long.

It is an indisputable fact that Ireland is famous for having some of the best fishing spots in Europe. Lakes and rivers in the central, northwestern, and southern counties of the country are excellent places for good fishing. The west and south of the country are great places for water sports and leisure. Significant and spectacular inland (freshwater) and external (marine) waters in Ireland, a variety of fish species, offer promising prospects for fishermen visiting these places.

Moderate oceanic. The western and northwestern coasts of Ireland are washed by the Gulf Stream, so the climate here is quite warm and humid. The weather is unpredictable - the downpour can be repeatedly replaced by the sun several times a day. The rains are not strong, but frequent, precipitation falls on average up to 1200 mm. in year. The average temperature in winter is from +4 C to +7 C, in summer - from +14 C to +17 C. The most favorable time to visit the country is July and August. Visiting Ireland in June or September also has many advantages - the weather is still quite warm, there are fewer tourists and all attractions are open to the public. During the winter months, the weather is warm but damp, and snow is extremely rare.

Flora and fauna

The animal world is characterized by comparative poverty in all groups of animals and even the complete absence of some of them (for example, snakes). In addition to seals that live in coastal waters and occasionally swimming whales, there are 26 species of mammals in Ireland. 350 species of wild birds nest on the island. In the seas surrounding Ireland, herring, mackerel, cod, flounder, sardines are found. A large number of stables make it possible to use horses or carts, traditional for rural Ireland, as transport for traveling.

The predominant type of vegetation is meadows and moorlands that turn green throughout the year. About 20% of the area of ​​Ireland is occupied by peat bogs, overgrown with reeds, cotton grass, and heather. Broad-leaved forests (mainly oak) occupy only about 1.5% of the country's territory, remaining only in some mountainous areas. Many artificial (mostly coniferous) plantings.

economy

Ireland is an industrial-agrarian country.

Ireland has significant reserves of peat, lead, zinc, copper, silver and natural gas.

Two sectors coexist in the economy - large foreign, mainly technologically advanced industries (engineering, electronics, chemical industry), and local, covering traditional industries.

The government is pursuing a policy of actively attracting foreign investment. 38% of the workforce is employed by foreign firms. Ireland leads the world in the extraction and use of peat.

The largest power plants built on peat provide up to 18% of all electricity.

The main branch of agriculture is animal husbandry (88% of gross agricultural production).

About 70% of rural land is pasture. Agriculture plays a small role in the economy and does not provide for the country's need for grain.

Tourism revenues (1 billion Irish pounds) are important.

Agriculture

Ireland is a country of predominantly small and medium-sized farms, however, a numerically small stratum of large rich farmers (farms over 40 hectares) concentrates more than 1/3 of all agricultural land, and it is this category of farms that provides the main commercial agricultural products.

Breeding cattle of the Irish breed is widespread.

Industry

Ireland's industry is mainly associated with the processing of local agricultural products. Among the manufacturing industries, the food industry accounts for 55.7% of the value of the gross industrial output. The production of beer, whiskey, porter, dairy and meat products, flour, sugar, tobacco products is developed. In second place is the textile and clothing industry (wool, tweed, blankets, etc.).

Transport

Car traffic is on the left. Roads in and out of built-up areas are narrow (usually one lane in each direction) and speed limit signs are so common that traveling around the country by car or bus is often slower than by train.

The bus network of the Irish Bus company covers most of the country's settlements. Dublin buses are double-decker and painted green. Tickets can be purchased from the driver, and various discounts are offered on pre-paid tickets for periods ranging from one day to one month, as well as on the number of trips.

Flights connect Ireland's major cities. From Dublin planes fly to Cork, Shannon, Galway, Sligo and others. Several companies also offer charters to any airport in Ireland and the UK.

The paths of the Irish Railroad (Irish Rail) run to all cities and major settlements. The carriages are clean, modern and comfortable, of two classes: Standard Class (second), and Super Standard Class (first class).

The west coast of Ireland is dotted with small islands. Sea crossings to them are carried out from the nearest seaports of the coast. The Aran Islands can be reached using regular ferry crossings (if the sea is not stormy), or from the port of Rossavil. There are also regular services to Aranmore Island from Donegal and to Inishbofin Island from Galway.

Important ports: Dublin, Dun Leary, Cobh, Cork, Waterford, Rosslare, Limerick.

Brief history of the country

IV century BC. - the settlement of the territory of the country by the tribes of the Celts. 3rd century - the formation of small states headed by princes and kings. 796 - the beginning of constant raids and invasions of the Normans (Vikings). 1014 - the battle with the Normans at Clontarf and their final expulsion from the country.

1169–1171 - Anglo-Saxon conquest of part of Ireland, the formation of the English colony of Peil in the southeast of the country. For 7 centuries, Ireland was a colony of Great Britain.

1541 The British King Henry VIII assumed the title of King of Ireland. Strengthening of the English colonization of the island. Beginning of the 17th century - The British captured northeastern Ireland (Ulster).

1641–1652 - The popular Irish uprising against the British ended in defeat. Tens of thousands of Irish are exiled to America as slaves.

In 1921, most of Ireland achieved the status of a British dominion. In 1949, the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed, sowing. part (6 counties of Ulster) remained under British rule. In recent years, there has been a noticeable tendency in Irish policy towards reaching an agreement with the British ruling circles on the Northern Ireland problem. In 1985, the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed, which provides for the creation of an intergovernmental consultative body to discuss internal problems relating to Northern Ireland. In 1993, the Joint Declaration on Ulster was signed, laying the foundation for settling disputes exclusively for peaceful political purposes.

9. The modern state structure of the country

State structure: Republic. The head of state is the president. The president is elected by popular vote for a 7-year term. The legislature is a bicameral parliament. Consists of the Senate (60 seats - 49 senators are elected by the universities from candidates nominated by five commissions and 11 are appointed by the Prime Minister, all senators are elected for 5-year terms) and the House of Representatives (166 seats - deputies are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation for 5 years).

Population

The population of Ireland is mostly of Celtic origin. According to the 2006 general census, it is 4.24 million people. National minorities make up 420,000, that is, 10 percent. 275.8 thousand - immigrants from the EU countries (Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania), the rest from Russia, China, Ukraine, Pakistan, Philippines, Nigeria.

Approximately 58% of the population lives in cities.

The main tourist centers of the country

Ireland ranks first among European countries in terms of the number of medieval castles and feudal estates. For example, there are over 200 in County Clare alone.

Ireland's popular SPA resorts - Bandoran, Lisdoonvarna - combine the traditions of ancient Indian medicine, reiki, European balneology and, at the same time, are reference samples of eco-resorts. Ireland's seaside resorts Kenmare, Galway, Bray, Greystones are perfect for a relaxing holiday.

Dublin is the main center of tourism in the country. The city is rich in architectural buildings of the 18th century, there are many fashionable quarters, beautiful mansions, houses of the Georgian era, wide streets and spacious squares, historical terraces and boulevards, squares.

Top attractions in Dublin:

St. Patrick's Cathedral (1190-1225), the cathedral is considered the center of the city, it was founded on the site where St. Patrick baptized local residents Fifteen Acres Square, in the past noble duels and fights took place here, today it is used as playgrounds

61-meter obelisk in honor of the Duke of Wellington

Marriott Square, Ely Place, Fitzwilliam Square - areas of concentration of Georgian architecture

Dublin Castle - located on a hill, west of Dublin, here from the 12th century until the 1920s. the British administration was located in the castle, the Chester Beatty Library with a collection of unique ancient books, manuscripts, papyri is located in the castle.

Blackrock House - the summer residence of the English Viceroy of Ireland (XVIII century)

Dublin National Gallery with over 2,000 paintings

National Irish Library

The State Concert Hall is a respectable music centre, originally built in classical style for the Great Exhibition of 1865, later it became an integral part of the University of Dublin, and in 1981 it was inaugurated as the State Concert Hall.

Irish Museum of Modern Art, it is located in a building that was built in 1680

Royal Irish Yacht Club. It was established in 1851, the center is highly respected by fans of this type of tourism.

Forty Foot Fort is one of the few capital forts still standing today.

The city of Cork was founded in the 6th century by Saint Finbarr in the southeast of Ireland. Today, Cork is the second largest city in the country, it is the administrative center of County Cork. The city center is located on an island between two branches of the Li River. During the day, the city seems strict and business-like, but at night life is seething here - many pubs and clubs are open. To the north of Li is the Shendon district - the most interesting historical part of the city. Worth a look at the sights of Cork:

St. Finbarr's Protestant Cathedral (built on the very site where the first cathedral was erected by this popular local saint)

19th century Cork prison

Cork Museum (largely dedicated to the national liberation movement in which Cork played an important role)

city ​​hall

Opera Cork

galleries Crawford Art and Firkin Crane Center

Blarney Castle, near the city, the Blarney Stone is famous here, it is believed that it brings good luck and the gift of eloquence. According to legend, the owner of the castle saved the witch who gave him this stone.

many churches, chapels.

In the west of Ireland, more precisely on its West coast, there is a series of indescribable beauty of bays, bays, islands and beaches. In County Clare is the Barren region - many tens of miles of polished limestone and karst cavities stretching in all directions, and rare settlements along the coast. Underground caves, cracks, springs and abysses are the main features of the area, which is literally riddled with caves. It is home to the popular Irish Music Center Doolin and the attractive coastal town of Baliywon.

Transport accessibility of the country for Russian tourists from Moscow and St. Petersburg

Direct flights to Dublin from Moscow are operated by S7. Also, a number of airlines offer flights with transfers in various European cities, such as CSA (via Prague), Malev (via Budapest), Swiss Airlines (via Zurich). You can fly into London and then take one of the many daily low cost flights to Ireland. If at the same time the tourist stays in the UK for less than a day, a transit visa may not be needed, since the permit for visa-free transit is issued by the airport customs officer at his discretion. However, there is no 100% guarantee that the tourist will be given such permission. Also, many ferries run daily to Ireland from the English ports of Liverpool, Stranraer, Holyhead, Swansea and others. Travel time from two hours. There are also daily ferry services from France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Accommodation facilities

Throughout the country, a tourist can choose a luxury hotel,

housed in a castle, or a hotel in a country house with a beautiful garden, a cozy country inn or guesthouse, rent a room in a rural farmer's house or a self-catering apartment, or take advantage of the campsite. In towns and cities alike, traditional and modern hotels (ranging from the luxurious to the more basic), guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering apartments and lodges are available to tourists.

There are hotels for every taste: from 1 * (like hostels) to 5 *. In general, hotels are quite expensive, in terms of service and rooms they always clearly correspond to their star rating. The overall level of hotels is higher than the European average. Starting from 3 * in each room there is a hairdryer, TV, kettle. Meals are mainly breakfast. The breakfasts here are hearty. In addition to hotels, there are "guesthouses" and small private boarding houses that are cheaper than hotels. All hotels in the country are registered with the Irish Department of Tourism and are regularly inspected by inspectors. Therefore, one can vouch for the strict compliance of each of them with the assigned "star rating". Most hotels provide services for children. They have playgrounds in the open air and (or) in special rooms, a special children's menu. All hotels in Ireland have bars.

With the development of agro-tourism, new accommodation facilities have appeared - agro-tourism farms. In Ireland, such a method of accommodation as "guest houses" is widespread. Guest houses are family accommodation used for the needs of tourists. It usually offers five or more rooms. This category of housing is dominated by a homely atmosphere and an individual approach to customers. All this housing is registered, inspections are periodically carried out for compliance with international standards, including the psychological atmosphere, the levels of service provided. Guest houses are a popular place to stay, as foreign tourists often appreciate not the exaggerated pathos of a large hotel, but the intimate family atmosphere of a small hotel.

Catering establishments

Traditional Irish cuisine is mostly very simple and the portions are very large. Many Irish cooks have remained true to their hearths and today roast meat in the manner of their ancestors over an open flame, using peat instead of firewood. Ireland is also famous for its porter, black and viscous. But the main beer brand of the country is, of course, the unsurpassed dark beer Guinness. The best place to have lunch, oddly enough, is a pub. Each of them will offer a range of traditional dishes, some of which are listed below. Some pubs have a separate dining room and offer freshly baked bread. Late in the evening and at night you can only eat in such pubs.

The main catering establishments for tourists are restaurants. But most tourists are not satisfied with the range of their dishes and high prices. As a rule, hotels and restaurants add 10-12% to the bill for service; tips are usually not accepted in lower class establishments.

Features of obtaining a tourist visa

To obtain this visa, you must submit the following documents to the Irish Embassy in Moscow:

a valid passport with a validity period of at least 6 months from the end of the trip;

a copy of the first page of the passport with the personal data of the applicant;

2 identical color photographs 3.5x4.5 cm;

an online application form at https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie;

copies of the pages of the old passport, if it contains Schengen visas, or visas of the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia;

copies of all completed pages of the internal passport, with each spread being performed on a separate A4 sheet;

hotel booking confirmation (original or fax copy) with the hotel seal and signature of the responsible person, or letter of invitation and booking confirmation from the Irish travel agency with the stamp and signature of the responsible person.

in the case when the applicant is visiting friends or relatives, it is necessary to provide an invitation, which will indicate the dates of the trip, the place of residence of the invitee, a copy of the document proving the identity of the inviter and confirming his right to reside in Ireland (passport of an Irish citizen or residence permit) ;

a copy of the health insurance policy valid for the entire duration of the trip, the amount of which is at least 30,000 euros (this requirement is not mandatory, but the presence of a policy significantly increases the chances of issuing a visa);

documents confirming the availability of funds sufficient to finance the trip;

a certificate from the place of work on a form with all the coordinates of the enterprise, indicating the position and salary (preferably at least $ 800-1000 in ruble equivalent), signed by the director of the enterprise and chief accountant, certified by a seal;

in the case when the applicant is accompanied by non-working family members, the certificate of employment must indicate that he is the sponsor of the persons traveling with him, while the salary must be at least $ 600 for each participant in the trip;

a copy of the marriage certificate, even if the spouse does not accompany the applicant;

a copy of the birth certificate of the children, even if they do not accompany the applicant.

Customs formalities

When entering your vehicle, you must have a vehicle registration certificate (or a letter from the relevant government authorities if the name is not indicated on the registration certificate), an insurance policy valid in Ireland, an international driver's license or a driver's license of the country of residence.

Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. It is forbidden to import weapons, drugs, poisons, psychotropic substances, video cassettes with horror films and pornography, as well as books and magazines of similar content. When importing medicines prescribed by a doctor, it is necessary to present an appropriate certificate (prescription).

It is possible to import a large amount of tax-exempt goods, provided that the customs authorities can be convinced that these are goods for personal use. When entering from the EU zone, it is allowed to import up to 50 liters of beer, 25 liters of wine, 800 pcs. cigarettes, but with evidence of previously paid duty. Not subject to duty: up to 200 pcs. cigarettes or tobacco - up to 250 gr., up to 1 liter. alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22% and up to 2 liters. - a fortress less than 22%, up to 50 gr. perfume and personal items.

It is located in the north-west of Europe and occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland. Washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The name of the country comes from the Irish Eire - "western country".

Official name: Republic of Ireland

Capital: Dublin

The area of ​​the land: 70,285 sq. km

Total population: 3.52 million people

Administrative division: Ireland includes the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connaught, as well as part of the province of Ulster. Most of Ulster belongs to Northern Ireland, which is an integral part of Great Britain. It is divided into 26 counties. The cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Dun-Lary are separated into independent administrative units.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 7 years.

Composition of the population: 98% Irish, 2% English, Scottish.

Official language: Irish (Gaelic) and English.

Religion: 93% - Catholics, 5% - Protestants.

Internet domain: .ie

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +353

Country barcode: 539

Climate

Ireland's climate is maritime, with no significant regional differences. Characterized by the uniformity of the temperature background, an abundance of precipitation, heavy cloudiness and high humidity. Throughout the year, west-southwesterly winds prevail, influenced by the Gulf Stream over which they pass before reaching Ireland. These winds bring moisture to all parts of the country, with the greatest amount of precipitation falling on the western slopes of the mountains facing the Atlantic Ocean, and the least on the plains in the eastern part of the island.

Particularly heavy precipitation has been recorded in some mountainous areas of Galway and Kerry - up to 2500 mm per year. However, the Whitegate weather station in County Cork receives only 1000 mm of precipitation per year. In Dublin, the driest place in Ireland, the average annual rainfall is 700 mm, in Belfast - 880 mm, and on the plains around Lough Nea - about 810 mm. The number of days with precipitation in Dublin and Belfast is 231 per year, and in Whitegate - 234. In Ireland, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Due to underground runoff and very low evaporation, moderate or even insufficient rainfall can be excessive, sometimes reaching saturation point. The saucer-shaped surface of the country with a central plain and a peripheral elevated frame and the absence of dry winds or high temperatures even at the height of summer predetermined the spread of swamps, covering probably 1/5 of the total area of ​​the Republic of Ireland and a slightly smaller part of the area of ​​Northern Ireland. On average, up to 2/3 of all days of the year the sky is covered with clouds. Cloudy days are the least typical for May, when the weather is clear and sunny.

On the western and eastern coasts, temperatures differ slightly, and between north and south the temperature difference does not exceed 2–3 ° C. The temperature differences between coastal and central regions are small, in winter inside the country it is usually 2–3 ° colder, and in summer 3–4 ° C. ° warmer than on the coast. The smallest differences in January and July temperatures are expressed in the extreme southwest, which is most affected by winds from the Atlantic Ocean.

The lakes of Killarney National Park are at the latitude of southern Labrador, but palm trees grow in Killarney and temperatures rarely fall below 0 ° C. The average July temperature on the west coast is only 15 ° C, and in Dublin 16 ° C. Armagh has absolute minimum and maximum temperatures - 15°C and 31°C, however, the number of days with temperatures below 0°C does not exceed 49 per year. The average January temperature in Dublin is 6 ° C. Snow falls on the coast of the country only 6 days a year, on the central plain 18 days, but in the mountains it happens much more often.

Geography

Ireland is located on the island of the same name (occupies most of it) in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Great Britain. The length from north to south is 465 km, from east to west - 285 km. The length of the coast is about 2.8 thousand km. The entire middle part of the island is occupied by a hilly plain, replete with lakes and peat bogs. The central plain rises to the edges of the island, giving way to low mountains.

In the southwest in the mountains of Kerry is the highest point in Ireland - the city of Carrantwill (1041 m). The shores of the island are heavily indented and abound with fjords, bays, bays and deep estuaries. The total area of ​​the country is about 70.3 thousand square meters. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Almost the entire once forested territory of Ireland is now covered by meadows, moorland and peat bogs and swamps. Occasionally there are groves of oak, ash, alder, birch. Natural forests have been preserved only in the mountains, although in recent years great work has been carried out to restore the forest cover.

Due to the mild climate in Ireland, there is an amazing combination of southern and northern types of vegetation. Maple can be found here along with laurel, palm next to spruce, hornbeam with lemon. Subtropical species of trees and shrubs were once brought to the country and have taken root well here.

Animal world

The fauna of Ireland is quite poor and if you want to see rare animals, then in this case you should visit the reserve. We especially visit the Killarney Nature Reserve, where animals such as red deer, wood mice, pine martens, red squirrels, badgers and foxes live. Also here you can meet 141 species of birds (there are a total of 380 species in Ireland), such as the white-fronted goose, common falcon, blackbird, nightjar, chickweed and other species of water, forest, mountain and heather birds.

Fish include brown trout and arctic char. There is also a very rare Irish lake feint here. In the seas surrounding Ireland, there are herring, mackerel, cod, flounder, sardines.

sights

Despite its rather low popularity as a tourist region, the country is quite popular among tourists from European countries for its "stormy" history, charming nature in its own way and an abundance of historical sights associated with both the medieval period and the prehistoric past of civilization. Who does not remember the famous poem by R. L. Stevenson: "The drink from the heather was forgotten a long time ago, but it was sweeter than honey, drunker than wine"? But it is precisely the Irish legends and traditions that served as the basis for it.

In almost every county, ancient castles have been preserved - silent witnesses of Irish history: Ballyle, Caldwill, Bunratty, Ballintobeer, Carrikefirgus, Cloghan, King John's castles in Limerick and Lowe; Monie, Donsoghlai and dozens of others, no less majestic and remarkable. Many of them have been converted into first-class hotels. Other monuments of hoary antiquity are also perfectly preserved - Viking sites and castles, as well as cathedrals and monasteries, which are real architectural masterpieces: Coeng Abbey, Lyssadell Mansion, Dublin Cathedral of St. Kanike, Millaifont Abbey, Kills Monastery, etc. , as well as famous pubs and bars - the main meeting place and communication of the Irish. You can exchange currency at banks, exchange offices, hotels and travel agencies, but the most favorable rate is offered at banks. Credit cards are widely used in the country. Traveler's checks in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros are accepted at any bank, traveler's checks in other currencies are exchanged with a fee.

Useful information for tourists

Alcoholic beverages, including beer, are sold only in outlets that have special licenses for this ("Off Licence").

Airports and train stations in Ireland are not served by porters.

Hotels and restaurants, as a rule, add 10-12% to the bill to pay for services; in establishments of a lower class, tips are usually not given.

Car traffic is on the left.

Dublin buses are double-decker and painted green. Tickets can be purchased from the driver, and various discounts are offered on pre-paid tickets for periods ranging from one day to one month, as well as on the number of trips. There are also special discounts for train and bus tickets, with such a ticket you can travel around Ireland for 5-8 days both on buses and on trains.