IRELAND

Country Code: +353.

Crime: Crime in Ireland, like in any country, is a multifaceted issue. The types of crime prevalent in the country range from low-level offenses such as public disorder and petty theft, to more serious crimes such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and violent crime.

Ireland’s crime rate is generally lower than that of the United States and many other developed countries. However, it has been facing an increasing problem with organized crime, particularly in relation to drug trafficking and gang-related violence. This issue has been most acute in larger cities such as Dublin and Limerick. The Garda Síochána, the national police service of the Republic of Ireland, has been implementing various strategies and operations to combat this escalating problem.

White-collar crime, including fraud and corporate crime, is also an issue, as it is in many countries around the world. In recent years, the Irish government has taken steps to address this, including setting up a dedicated white-collar crime unit within the Garda Síochána.

Cybercrime, like elsewhere, is a growing concern in Ireland. This includes identity theft, hacking, online fraud, and the distribution of illegal online content. The government has been working on bolstering cybersecurity measures and awareness campaigns to combat this threat.

Currency: EU Euro.

Electricity: Type G (3-pin rectangular, triangular pattern).

Language: The official languages are Irish and English.

Latitude and Longitude: 53.7798° N, 7.3055° W.

Population: 5.033 million (2021).

President: Michael Daniel Higgins (the Prime Minister is appointed by the President).

Ireland has six beautiful national parks that span the country’s diverse landscape. Each park is unique and offers visitors an array of recreational and educational opportunities.

Ballycroy National Park: Situated in County Mayo, Ballycroy is one of the largest expanses of peatland left in Europe. It features a visitor center with interactive exhibits and the chance to explore the park’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Connemara National Park: Located in County Galway, Connemara boasts a rich blend of mountains, woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands. The park also contains a wealth of historical sites, including megalithic court tombs and a 19th-century church.

Glenveagh National Park: This park in County Donegal includes the largest herd of red deer in Ireland, the magnificent Glenveagh Castle, and an exotic garden filled with plants from around the world. It features stunning landscapes comprising mountains, lakes, glens, and woods.

Killarney National Park: Found in County Kerry, Killarney is perhaps the most famous national park in Ireland. It was the first national park established in the country, and it’s known for its beautiful lakes, woodlands, and mountain ranges. It also hosts the historic Muckross House and Gardens.

The Burren National Park: Situated in County Clare, the Burren is a unique landscape known for its karst features, including limestone pavements, caves, and a rich array of flora. Some of the plants found in the Burren are unique to the region.

Wicklow Mountains National Park: Located just south of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains are the largest upland area in Ireland. The park is known for its dramatic landscapes featuring vast forests, lakes, and mountains.

All these national parks are protected under Irish law to ensure the preservation of their unique natural and cultural heritage. They offer a variety of activities, including hiking, bird watching, and opportunities to learn about Ireland’s diverse ecosystems and history.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Ireland.

Cliffs of Moher: Located in County Clare, these stunning sea cliffs attract millions of visitors each year. The cliffs reach their maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O’Brien’s Tower, a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien.

Ring of Kerry: This is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry. Its 179km-long, circular route takes in rugged and verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages.

Blarney Castle: Near Cork, this medieval stronghold is known for the Blarney Stone. According to tradition, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of eloquence.

Dublin City: The capital city of Ireland, Dublin is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene. Visit the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, and Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison turned museum.

The Giant’s Causeway: Located in County Antrim on the north coast, this area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and consists of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

Skellig Michael: This rocky island off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry was used as a monastic outpost by Irish Christian monks from the 6th to the 8th century. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and more recently, a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Killarney National Park: This park in County Kerry is famed for its beautiful lakes, mountains, and biodiversity. It also contains Ross Castle, a 15th-century fortress.

The Burren: This is a region of County Clare known for its unique karst landscape and rich array of flora and fauna.

Newgrange: A prehistoric monument in County Meath, Newgrange was built during the Neolithic period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.

The Aran Islands: Located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on Ireland’s west coast, these islands are known for their ancient sites and a cultural experience that’s steeped in the Irish language and traditions.

Ireland is known for its mild, temperate maritime climate, which means it doesn’t have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitudes experience. However, the weather can be changeable, and it’s often said that you can experience all four seasons in one day in Ireland.

Spring (March to May): Temperatures typically range from 8-12 degrees Celsius (46-54 degrees Fahrenheit). The weather is usually quite mild and you’ll start seeing more sunny days as spring progresses, although rain showers are still common.

Summer (June to August): This is the warmest time of the year in Ireland. Average temperatures range from 15-20 degrees Celsius (59-68 degrees Fahrenheit), though it can sometimes reach the mid-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit). While there are more sunny days during the summer, rain is still possible, so it’s a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella handy.

Autumn (September to November): Temperatures start to cool down, ranging from 8-14 degrees Celsius (46-57 degrees Fahrenheit). The countryside can be particularly beautiful in autumn as the leaves change colors. Rain is likely, and by late autumn, you might start seeing frost in some parts of the country.

Winter (December to February): Winters in Ireland are generally mild, with temperatures mostly staying above freezing, usually between 4-8 degrees Celsius (39-46 degrees Fahrenheit). Snow is relatively rare, but some parts of the country may see a bit of snowfall. Rain is more common, and storms can sometimes roll in from the Atlantic, bringing strong winds.

The west coast of Ireland tends to get more rain and wind than the east coast, due to the prevailing winds from the Atlantic Ocean.

No matter when you visit, it’s a good idea to bring layers and waterproof clothing so you can adapt to the changing weather conditions.