IRELAND | Travel | Tourism

History

The Irish State (the 26 counties) gained independence from Britain following the War of Independence, which began in 1919, and the Treaty, which was signed in 1921. Northern Ireland, comprising of counties Armagh, Down, Antrim, Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone, is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. By act of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) in 1948, the 26 counties of the Irish Free State were designated a Republic. The Republic of Ireland came into being in 1949.

Facts & Figures

Territory: 69.947 sq. km (source: Eurostat 2025)

Population: 5.440.278 (source: Eurostat 2025 )

Capital: Dublin

Official Language: Irish, English

Currency: Euro (€)

Time Zone: Ireland uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during winter and Irish Standard Time (IST) during summer.

Books to read

Apart from the Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide, read:

"McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland" by Pete McCarthy
"Around Ireland in a Fridge" by Peter Marshall.

Language

Ireland's first official language is Gaelic, colloquially known as Irish, although English is spoken as a first language by the majority of the population. Here are a few Irish words that are used quite a lot:

Failte – Welcome
Sláinte – Cheers / To your health
Eire – Ireland
Fir – Mens (toilets)
Mná – Ladies (toilets)
Taoiseach – The Irish Prime Minister
Dail – The Irish Parliament
Go raibh maith agat – Thank you
Slán – Good bye
Baile Atha Cliatha – Dublin
Craic – fun
Ceol – Irish music
Fleadh Ceoil – Irish music festival

Official Holidays

1 January | New Year’s Day
17 March | St. Patrick’s Day
Friday before Easter Sunday | Good Friday
Monday following Easter Sunday | Easter Monday
1st Monday in May | May Bank Holiday
1st Monday in June | June Bank Holiday
1st Monday in August | August Bank Holiday
Last Monday in October | October Bank Holiday
25 December | Christmas Day
26 December | St. Stephen’s Day