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| :: Best -Admits :: |
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Bridge Group Of Companies :: |
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| Introduction to 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. |
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The weather may sometimes give you the impression that you're swimming through an airborne ocean, but the truly luminous greens, luxuriant wildflowers, and afternoons spent holed up in riotous pubs will more than console you for the webbed feet you'll need to grow. |
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Ireland has recently been on an economic rollercoaster ride; if the Celtic Tiger's fur is looking a little shabby these days, the legacy of those heady days lingers in its cities' newfound gloss. The country may not be quite the paradise that its misty-eyed emigrés tend to portray, but it's nonetheless home to one of the most gregarious and welcoming people in Europe. |
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| Full country name |
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Éire (Republic of Ireland) |
| Area |
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69,000 sq km |
| Population |
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3.96 million |
| Capital City |
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Dublin |
| People |
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Irish; small immigrant populations |
| Language |
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English, Gaelic, |
| Religion |
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: 95% Roman Catholic, 3.4% Protestant
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| Government |
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democracy |
| Head of State |
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President (Republic) Mary McAleese |
| Head of Government |
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Prime Minister (Republic) Bertie Ahern |
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| GDP |
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US$113.7 billion |
| GDP per capita |
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US$29,300 |
| Annual Growth |
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4.3% |
| Inflation |
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4.8% |
| Major Industries |
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Computer software, information technology, food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, pharmaceuticals, tourism
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| Major Trading Partners |
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EU (esp. UK, Germany, France, Netherlands), US |
| Member of EU |
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Yes |
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| Public Holidays |
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17 Mar |
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St Patrick's Day |
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1 Jan |
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New Year's Day |
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Mar/Apr |
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Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive) |
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1 May |
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May Holiday |
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25 Dec |
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Christmas Day |
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26 Dec |
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St Stephen's Day |
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| Money & Costs |
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| Relative Costs |
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Lodging |
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| Budget |
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€3-10 |
Budget |
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:€10-30 |
| Mid-range |
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€10-15 |
Mid-range |
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€30-60 |
| High |
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€15-20 |
High |
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€60-80 |
| Deluxe |
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€20+ |
Deluxe |
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€120+ |
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| Getting Around |
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The best way to see Ireland is by car, especially as many sights of interest are not served by public transport. However, car rental is expensive; in the high season it can often make good sense to arrange a package deal before you leave home. The Irish, like the British, drive on the left. Don't be fooled by Ireland's size: getting around by public transport is not as easy as you might like to think. Distances may be short, but in Ireland getting from A to B never follows a straight line. Rail fares are particularly expensive, there are notable gaps in the routes, and the frequency of both bus and train services can leave a lot to be desired. Apart from Ireland's wealth of walking and hiking opportunities, cycling is a great way to get around - if you can ignore the hills, poor road surfaces and wet weather. Tourist offices all have regional cycling maps to help you plan your tour; West Cork in particular is ideal. |
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| :: Represented Universities :: |
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| :: List of Universities :: |
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