GENERAL
Official name of the state
Ireland
Capital
Dublin (Gaelic: Baile Atha Cliath).
Geography
As a country located in Europe according to itypeauto, the Republic of Ireland is located in the North Atlantic and takes up about 80% of the area of the island of Ireland. In the north-east it is bounded by British Northern Ireland. The Irish Sea separates the island from Great Britain. In the south and southwest, the Atlantic forms the natural border. Achill Island and Aran Island are also part of the national territory. Mountains and hills surround the inland plain. The 5600 km long coastline consists of jagged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches and bays warmed by the Gulf Stream. The longest river in the island state is the Shannon with a length of 370 km.
Government
Republic since 1937. Constitution of 1937, last amended in 2004. Two-chamber parliament: House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann) with 166 members and Senate (Seanad Éireann) with 60 members. Since 1921 an independent Dominion in the Commonwealth, separating the 6 predominantly Protestant counties of Ulster. 1948 left the Commonwealth. 1949 Proclamation of the Republic of Ireland. Ireland has been a member of the EU since 1973.
Head of state
Michael D. Higgins, since 2011.
Head of government
Prime Minister Enda Kenny, since May 2016.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. Adapter required.
Time zone
Greenwich Mean Time: CET -1 (CET +2 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Annotation
In addition, some church holidays are celebrated in rural areas.
SHOP
Overview
Fabrics such as hand-woven tweed or linen, hand-knitted wool and cotton items, sheepskin items, gold and silver jewelry, knitwear from the Aran Islands, ceramics, crystal glasses, wicker, whiskey, pipes and antiques.
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 9 am-5.30pm / 6pm. Supermarkets are often open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays or Fridays.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Discos and nightclubs can be found in almost all cities. The restaurants feature live music and evenings of traditional Irish folk music, with top singers and professional groups performing. Medieval banquets at old castles like Bunratty are a special attraction. The many theaters and cinemas provide further evening entertainment.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Approx. 850 hotels are officially registered with the Bord Fáilte (tourist office) and are regularly checked for their standard. The prices are also set by the Bord Fáilte.
Almost all hotels are affiliated with the Irish Hotel Association: Irish Hotels Federation, 13 Northbrook Road, IE-Dublin 6. (Tel: (01) 497 64 59. Internet: www.irelandhotels.com).
Camping
All campsites are checked regularly. The location and equipment of the sites found to be good are listed in an official camping guide from the Tourist Office. The guide also contains details of all companies that rent out tents, caravans and camping equipment. There are 135 camping and caravan sites, most of which are open from May to September.
Further information is available from the Irish Caravan and Camping Council, PO Box 4443, IE-Dublin 2. (Internet: www.tourismireland.com).
Other accommodation options
The 32 youth hostels of the Irish Youth Hostel Association An Oige offer simple, affordable accommodation. Dormitories with comfortable beds and cooking facilities are members of Oige, the JHW and similar organizations are available.
For more information, please contact An Oige: 61 Mountjoy Street, IE-Dublin 7. (Tel: (01) 830 45 55. Internet: www.anoige.ie).
Around 560 farmhouses and 3230 private houses (town and country homes) offer bed and breakfast on a daily or weekly basis, some with half or full board of your choice. More information fromFáilte Tuaithe – Irish Farmhouse Holidays, 4 Ballycummin Village, Raheen, IE-Limerick, County Limerick. (Tel: (061) 30 99 55. Internet: www.irishfarmholidays.com).
Offer holidays for those in need of relaxation who are looking for a change and want to be looked after all around. Restaurants, heated indoor swimming pools as well as holiday homes and apartments are available. All holiday villages are registered with the tourist office. The vacation resorts are mostly small and are located in some of the most beautiful counties. Early booking is recommended. Directory available on request from the Irish Tourist Board.
CULTURE
Religion
87.4% Catholics; also 2.9% Anglicans (Church of Ireland), Presbyterians and Jews.
Social rules of conduct
Etiquette: Irish people are very sociable and always ready for a craic or a chat. The Irishman Oscar Fingal O’Flaherty Wills (Oscar Wilde) once said: “We are the greatest speakers since the ancient Greeks”. There is a friendly, small-town atmosphere everywhere and the feeling of togetherness is very strong. Visitors are warmly welcomed nationwide. Lunch is the main meal and dinner is called tea. Casual wear is accepted everywhere. You shake hands in greeting and often address each other by first name.
Smoking: All over Ireland smoking is prohibited in all closed, public spaces such as hospitals, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, on public transport (apart from smoking compartments in long-distance trains) etc.
Tip: 10% is common in restaurants. If a “service charge” is already listed on the invoice, the additional tip will be lower. The tip is already included in the hotel’s bills. In bars and restaurants you usually don’t tip unless you have been served at the table. Porters and hairdressers expect a tip. In a taxi you usually round up or give 5-10% for exceptional service.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
The Gulf Stream and mild south-westerly winds ensure a Mediterranean-moderate climate. Summers are warm, winters generally mild and rainy. January and February can u. U. be cold. Spring and autumn are very mild. Rainfall all year round. The best time to travel is from late spring to early autumn.
COUNTRY DATA
Code +353 Area (sq km) 70 182 population 4,892,305 Population density (per sq km) 70 population in 2015 a member of the EU Yes main emergency number 112
