Vacation Rentals in Ireland
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Travel destination Ireland.
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Overview of Ireland
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| Size |
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70,300 sq km (27,143 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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3,969,000 |
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| Language |
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English, Irish (Gaelic) |
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| Time Zone |
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Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) |
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| Electricity |
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230 V, 50 Hz |
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| Clothing |
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Waterproofing throughout the year. Warm clothing is advisable at all times, and is essential
for any visits to upland areas. |
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| Religion |
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90% Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR) Currency Converter |
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Location of Ireland
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Small-beaked and wing-clipped, Ireland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean which appears about to
alight on the coast of Britain 80 km (50 mi) to the west across the Irish Sea. Its cities are small,
so it's never far to isolated sweeps of mountain or bogland. Much of Ireland's elevated ground is
close to the coast, and almost the entire Atlantic seaboard is a bulwark of cliffs, hills and mountains,
with few safe anchorages. Most of the centre of the island is composed of flat farmland or raised bogs.
This area is drained by the 260 km (161 mi) long Shannon, which enters the sea west of Limerick.
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Climate in Ireland
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Despite its northern latitude, Ireland's climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream, bringing the dregs
of Caribbean balminess, as well as turtles and triggerfish. The temperature only drops below freezing
intermittently during the winter and snow is scarce. Summers aren't really that hot, rarely hitting
30°C (86°F), but it stays light until around 23:00. Whatever the time of year, be prepared for rain
because Ireland is wet. The heaviest rain usually falls where the scenery is best: luscious County Kerry
can be drizzle-bound on as many as 270 days of the year. If you do find the rain getting you down you
might find some comfort in the Irish saying: 'It doesn't rain in the pub'!
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Best Time to Travel to Ireland
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If you go to Ireland in July or August, you can expect reasonably warm weather, longer days and a lively
menu of festivals. However, this is peak season, which presents some challenges if you're wanting a bit
of solitude. Spring and autumn can also be delightful seasons, with smaller crowds of tourists. Winter
weather can be downright inhospitable, but Ireland (the west coast in particular) does look beautiful
in the rain, and there's nearly always a pub nearby to duck into. However, in many Irish towns restaurants
and B&Bs close down around October and don't reopen until Easter.
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Attractions in Ireland
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It's said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten, and for once the blarney rings true.
The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible, and its
people seem put on earth expressly to restore faith in humanity. Throughout the entire island of
Ireland are thousands of lakes and rivers that are natural wonders. In addition, Ireland's ancient
past makes it an archeological paradise, with many sites dating back thousands of years. There is
so much to explore and experience, that no matter where you travel in Ireland, it will be a fantastic
exploration, with unsurpassed hospitality. The scenery is ever changing, simply spectacular, and
literally unfolds before your eyes. All over Ireland you can enjoy the outdoors from fishing to
golf, horse riding to water sports.
Many diverse events and festivals take place around the country over the year. February sees the
Dublin International Film Festival. At Easter many small towns hold parades and
townsfolk gorge themselves on chocolate eggs. June 16 is Bloomsday in Dublin, with re-enactments
of Ulysses and readings throughout the city. Listowel in County Kerry holds a Writers' Week literary
festival during June, and there's a Jazz & Blues Festival in Belfast. July is when marching
really gets into its stride in Northern Ireland, and every Orangeman hits the streets on the Glorious
12th to celebrate the Protestant victory at the Battle of the Boyne. August is equestrian month, with
the Dublin Horse Show and races in Tralee. Also in county Kerry, at Killorglin, the ancient
Puck Fair heralds unrestricted drinking for days and nights. In September, Cork has its Film
Festival and Belfast has a Folk Festival. In October, Dublin has its Theatre Festival,
Ballinasloe in County Galway hosts the country's largest cattle and horse fair, and Kinsale in
County Cork is home to Ireland's gourmet festival. In Wexford the November Opera Festival
is an international event. Christmas is a quiet affair in the countryside, though on 26 December the
ancient practice of Wren Boys is reenacted, when groups of children, traditional musicians and Irish
dancers perform at area homes, asking donations in exchange for a year's worth of good luck.
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Society in Ireland
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Music is the backbone of Irish culture: in every country pub you'll find someone striking up a tune of an evening.
The universal language of music is performed in local pubs, large concert halls, on the street with buskers,
or in the parlor with your hosts. Anywhere and everywhere there is music, from traditional to contemporary, and rock.
Listen to the songs of Ireland and you can learn much of her history!
Tipping is becoming more common than it once was, but is still not as prevalent as in the USA or the rest of Europe.
If a restaurant adds a service charge (usually 15%) no additional tip is required. If not, most people tip around 10% of
the bill for waiting staff and round up taxi fares. For hotel porters EUR 1.00 per bag is acceptable.
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Food in Ireland
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Irish cooking is still centered largely around the potato which is used as an ingredient in stews,
such as Irish stew, or made into breads or cakes, like boxty and fadge. Soda bread
is the great Irish bread, traditionally baked in a covered iron pot over an open fire. While meat
was fairly hard to come by in harder times, lamb, beef and pork often find their way onto the Irish
table nowadays. Blood, or black, puddings continue an ancient art. Salmon, trout and lobster are also
enjoyed. Dublin Bay prawns are famous. Dairy products figure large at the table. Buttermilk, cheeses
are butter are taken alone, with a piece of bread or used as ingredients in dishes. Commonly used
vegetables include carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, cabbage, kale scallions and onions. Oats are used
in breads and as a breakfast porridge. Barley often stretches stews, and split peas make for a
tasty soup. Other local delicacies are crubeens (pigs’ trotters), colcannon (a mixture
of potatoes and cabbage cooked together), soda bread and a soufflé made with carrageen (a
variety of seaweed). Visitors should note that tea is often almost a full meal with sandwiches and cakes.
Irish beer, particularly "Guinness" and "Harp", are world famous. Irish pubs are now found in
most major cities of the world, spreading the cheer. Irish whiskey has a similar far-flung
reputation. It is known to be sweeter and clearer than its smoky Scottish cousin.
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Visa for Ireland
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British, Australian, Canadian, USA, Other EU and Japanese citizens do not require a visa entering Ireland.
All citizens of non-EU countries, whether they require a visa or not, are subject to immigration
control at the point of entry to Ireland.
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