Ireland is often called "The green Island", and it´s certainly true. Green valleys, high mountains, greenbraun heathland and dark mirrorbright lakes, you can find almost everywhere. The nature, the beautiful folk music, the pubs and the happy atmosphere is what people usually associate with the mellow island Ireland. That is also certainly true.

Basic facts about Ireland:

Official name: Republic of Ireland, or Éire (in Irish, which is their own language).

Area: About 81,638.1 km²

Capital: Dublin with its 1 100 000 inhabitants (2008)

Population: 4 400 000 (2008) inhabitants

Language: Irish and English.

Constitution: Republic

National day: mars 17th, S: t Patrick's Day

Currency: Euro

EU membership: January 1, 1973

Time differences: Ireland is one hour past Sweden.

Geography and climate:

Ireland or Éire (like it´s called in their own language) is located in the Atlantic ocean in the northwest Europe next to Great Britain.

The climate is almost like in Sweden but a bit more moistening and mildly. That's probably because it rains a lot on the island, so raincloths and  an umbrella is recommended no matter which time of  the year you are visiting the country. It´s the rain that has made the island so green and full of greenery.

Tourism

The best time to visit Ireland is during the summer months June- September. That's when all the attractions are open and the chance to avoid the rain is the best. It is also in the summer when there are a lot of festivals going on around the island and the Irish people love festivals.

St. Patrick´s day

St. Patrick's Day on mars 17th is a very big and special day for the Irish people. It´s their national day and in fact it's one of the most special days in the whole year. Saint Patrick is the saint of Ireland and people say that he was the one who brought the Christianity to the island.

On Saint Patrick´s day the Irish people have parades in the big cities, and celebrate the day by wearing green cloths, eating and drinking good, playing games, listening to music and also singing happy songs from Ireland and many more activities. It´s a time for fun! Visiting Ireland and being there over their national day is an experience.

During St. Patrick´s day you can see many people with pictures of 3-clovers on their hats or cloths. It´s called "Shamrock" and has become a symbol for Ireland. It is told that St. Patrick has used it to explain God and the trinity when he preached.

Welcome to Ireland and see for yourself what the country has to offer!

Sources:

http://www.kalvin.mu/index.php?page=...