Ireland is an island in the northwest of Europe with an area of 32,595 sq miles. About 370 km (230 miles) long by 225 km (140 miles) wide, Ireland comprises the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The population of the island of Ireland is approximately 5.8 million people, 4.1 million in the Republic of Ireland and 1.7 million in Northern Ireland. Ireland is the third largest island in Europe.
Geography: Ireland has thirty-two counties, and four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. About five percent of Irish land is under forest. The island's green vegetation is a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall. Ireland's most scenic areas lie in the south western and western counties. These areas are largely mountainous and rocky, with beautiful green views.
Irish: is the Celtic language of Ireland. It was brought to Ireland by Celtic invaders in 1000 BC, and to the end of the 18th century, was spoken by the majority of the people. The English language gained ground rapidly and Irish is now spoken regularly only in certain areas in the west of Ireland. It is taught in all schools, but despite active support from the government of Ireland, there are probably fewer than 90,000 speakers. It is the first official language of the Irish Republic and recently became an official language of the European Union (EU).
Literature and the arts: For such a small country, Ireland has made a large contribution to world of art and literature in all its branches, mainly in English. In more recent times, Ireland has produced four winners of the Nobel Prize for literature: George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney.
James Joyce is widely considered as one of the most significant writers of the 20th century. His novel: Ulysses is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.
Landscape: The Irish landscape is one of Ireland’s greatest attractions. Ireland's most scenic areas lie in the south western and western counties. There are several National Parks filled with towering hills, romantic lakes, and will always remain Ireland's most unspoiled treasures. Magnificent scenery has attracted many visitors to these parks for years.
Climate: The Atlantic Gulf Stream keeps the Irish climate mild most of the year. Average temperatures in winter are 4 - 7o C, and in summer are 14 - 18o C. Rainfall is heaviest in the west and lightest in the southeast, but at all times very unpredictable.
Sport: Gaelic hurling and football are the most popular sports in Ireland - they make up the national sports of Ireland, known as Gaelic Games. All Gaelic games are governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
Other main sports include: Rugby, Football (soccer), Horse racing and Greyhound racing.
TJ Tierney is an award winning Irish Landscape photographer and a freelance writer.
He frequently writes for the shopping directory http://www.shop-4us.com and the photography directory http://www.goldprints.com
To view or buy some of his images visit his on line gallery at GoldenIrishLight
RTÉ News
Irish aid worker kidnapped in Darfur
3 Jul 2009 at 4:53pm
A 32-year-old Irish aid worker, Sharon Commins, has been kidnapped by an armed gang in Sudan's Darfur region, according to John O'Shea from Goal.
Ahern denies Crime Bill is unconstitutional
3 Jul 2009 at 1:26pm
The Minister for Justice has said it is unrealistic to expect that every juror in a case involving criminal gangs could withstand intimidation.
Six die in London tower block blaze
3 Jul 2009 at 4:54pm
Three children and three adults have died in a fire in a block of flats in south London.
Talks to avert electricians' strike
3 Jul 2009 at 11:26am
Talks are to take place at the LRC over the weekend in a bid to avert a threatened strike by over 10,000 electricians set for Monday.
Údarás wants spending restrictions lifted
3 Jul 2009 at 3:20am
Údarás na Gaeltachta has said Government restrictions have prevented it from providing employment for over 200 people.
Man stabbed on Dublin street
3 Jul 2009 at 1:27pm
A 31-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin after he was stabbed in the neck.
13 injured in train crash in France
3 Jul 2009 at 3:59pm
Thirteen people have been injured, after a train derailed near the southwestern French city of Limoges.
Palin to resign as Alaska governor
3 Jul 2009 at 1:55pm
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is to resign this month and will not run for re-election.
Suspicious fire at Tipperary house
3 Jul 2009 at 1:29pm
A fire that gutted a house in Ballina, Co Tipperary is being treated as suspicious by gardaí.
Teens sentenced over screwdriver death
3 Jul 2009 at 11:09am
An 18-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the murder of greengrocer Harry Holland in west Belfast has been sentenced to life in prison.
RTÉ achieved breakeven result in 2008
3 Jul 2009 at 3:29am
RTÉ's annual report has revealed that the organisation achieved a breakeven result in 2008, with total revenue of ?441m.
Men carrying machete rob Tipperary bank
3 Jul 2009 at 6:15am
Two men, one carrying a machete, robbed a bank in Co Tipperary this morning.
Longford SUV dealers to pay ?10.2m VAT bill
3 Jul 2009 at 1:30pm
Two SUV dealers have been told to pay ?10.2m to the Revenue Commissioners for underpaying and the non payment of VAT.
Two Irish arrested in Gaza still in prison
3 Jul 2009 at 1:30pm
The two Irish people arrested by the Israeli Navy last Tuesday are still being held in prison and will not be released until Sunday at the earliest.
Sentencing adjourned in Hanley case
3 Jul 2009 at 1:31pm
The sentencing of Noel Cawley for killing 83-year-old Christy Hanley in Westmeath last year has been adjourned until next Friday.
Airtricity to create 200 new jobs
3 Jul 2009 at 1:32pm
Renewable energy company Airtricity is promising to create 200 new jobs.
Chef will not be pursued in Castlereagh case
3 Jul 2009 at 6:39am
The NI Public Prosecution Service will not pursue a case in relation to a break-in at Castlereagh over seven years ago.
Shareholders gather for BoI meeting
3 Jul 2009 at 1:33pm
Several hundred Bank of Ireland shareholders are attending the bank's Annual General Meeting in Dublin.
UN chief asks to meet Suu Kyi
3 Jul 2009 at 6:09am
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked the Burmese leader to free Aung San Suu Kyi and allow him to visit the 64-year-old.
Repair work after Mayo, Galway flooding
3 Jul 2009 at 1:36pm
Repair work is under way in Co Mayo to roads and bridges damaged by overnight flooding.
Port workers strike over pay cuts
3 Jul 2009 at 1:39pm
Workers at Marine Terminals in Dublin Port have gone on strike over pay cuts.
US, British forces push into Helmand
3 Jul 2009 at 9:14am
Hundreds of British troops have seized key canal crossings in a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
Former Nazi guard fit to stand trial
3 Jul 2009 at 6:35am
Accused Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk has been deemed fit enough by medical experts to stand trial.
Dinosaur fossils found in Australia
3 Jul 2009 at 8:29am
Fossils of three new species of dinosaurs have been discovered in Australia suggesting it may have a more complex prehistoric past.
Two released in Lyne inquiry
3 Jul 2009 at 8:57am
Two boys, arrested by gardaí investigating the murder of Stephen Lyne in Killarney, Co Kerry, have been released without charge.
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Migration Is The Human Heart On A Journey Of Hope.
They estimate that there are 70,000,000 people world wide that can claim Irish ancestry. At least 50% of those are said to live in the U.S. Many of those people, often referred to as ex-pats (expatriates), left Ireland to find work. They became recognised in their adopted countries for their hard work reliability and adaptability. The Irish work ethic has been the hallmark of the Irish workers leading them to become vital members of their communities.
Now many of these Irish XPats and/or their children are looking back to the land of their origins to see where they came from. To see what has shaped them into the people that they have become today. Searching for their Celtic roots as some have put it.
For many Irish living abroad this means the regular trip home to Ireland to visit family members or old friends. For others it means the once in a lifetime journey back to the "Emerald Isle", a country that they may never have been to previously, to visit the ancestral home or village their of parents, who due to their new circumstances and/or the pace of life, never managed to return to.
This site is intended to be a window into Ireland for those who for many reasons may never visit Ireland or if they have been, may never return. It is for the people, whether of Irish origin or not, who want to feed their interest in Ireland and those who have a curiosity or eve just a mild interest in all things Irish.
The links on these pages include sites of cultural, sporting and musical interest. Though not necessarily a tourist guide or even a travel site there are links to sites where you can book accommodation, rent a car and plan your vacation here. You can purchase traditional jewellery and other gifts, download pictures trace your genealogy or just read the latest news items in the national and local papers here in Ireland. In case you forgot what it looks like we have links to some Irish webcams and photo sites.
We try to present as wide a variety of links giving as broad a view of Ireland as possible. We are open to suggestions and will gladly consider any suggested Irish links for addition to the site if we feel they are in keeping with our theme. If you do have a suggestion please click on, Contact Us, at the bottom of the page to email us.
Ireland the third-largest island in Europe. It is an island in the northern Atlantic west of Britain. Dublin the capital of Ireland, having something for everyone, is a popular travel destination for young and old alike. Ireland was christened the, “Emerald Isle” by Belfast poet William Drennan in 1795. Although it is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world the rain is never far away. The heavy rain is responsible for the Emerald grass which adds to the green beauty of the Irish countryside.
The colourful Irish historical background and the still evident culture and lifestyle of its people make Ireland a very attractive holiday destination.
Ireland’s Irish name is Éire, though this is often substituted with the Latin Hibernia, it has in the past attracted many different names. Perhaps the most memorable of these would be "The Land Of Saints And Scholars". This name, of course, came about due to its strong tradition of education and the deeply religious nature of its people.
The economy in Ireland was built on agriculture and fishing. In recent years, it has been recognised that the tourism industry could also be a significant source of income for many people in locations too remote for industry and too unproductive for significant farming. In spite of this newfound interest in tourism there are few parts of Ireland spoilt by this in the way that many other hot spots around the world have been. These days with the spread of the, “Burger Culture” the young Irish people have managed to develop a new culture which, though uniquely Irish, bridges the gap between the thatched cottage and the condominium.
The tourism and hotel industry has become one of the cornerstones of Irish economy. Many of the hotels in Ireland are family owned and can give the personal attention and atmosphere that cannot be matched by bigger hotel groups anywhere in the world. The scenic locations of the Irish hotels offer beauty of a type unseen anywhere else.
If you are planning a trip to Ireland there are links on this page that may by useful. If not then we still have a lot to offer in the line of information, links and photos etc. and there is more to come as we improve the site.
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