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Irish GeographyIreland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Ireland is an island of 84,288 sq. km (32,544 square miles). It occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. Ireland resembles a basin—a central plain rimmed with mountains, except in the Dublin region. The mountains are low, with the highest peak, Carrantuohill in County Kerry, rising to 3,415 ft (1,041 m). The principal river is the Shannon, which begins in the north-central area, flows south and southwest for about 240 mi (386 km), and empties into the Atlantic.Its greatest length is 485 km (302 miles), its greatest width 304 km (189 miles), and its coastline extends for over 5,631 km (3,500 miles). The largest lake is Lough Neagh (396 sq. km/153 square miles) in Northern Ireland. The country is divided into four historic provinces. Ulster (9 counties) in the north; Munster (6 counties) in the south; Leinster (12 counties) in the east; and Connacht (5 counties) in the west. The population of the 32 counties of Ireland is approximately 5 million. |
Currency in IrelandNorthern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have different currencies. In the Republic of Ireland the currency used is the Euro and in Northern Ireland the currency used is the Pound Sterling. The banks in Northern Ireland all issue their own notes and with this you may come across different variations in the notes. All coins are the same, irrespective of the bank from which they come.Euro notes are in seven denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro. There is 100 cent to the euro and coins are in eight denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 euro the pound sterling (Stg) is in use and denominations are similar to that of the euro. When crossing between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland you can exchange your money in shops, gas stations, bureaux de change and banks. It is also wise to check the exchange rate when changing money |
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Travelling in IrelandBeing a small country, Ireland is fairly easy to get around, and there are a few different ways to do it. Renting a car can be a great way to have the freedom to do what you want and when you want to, but it's important to remember that 1)most cars here have a manual transmission, and 2)you'll be driving on the left side of the road. While this may seem like a small matter, remembering to stay on your side of the road can be tricky, and getting used to shifting with your left arm can take a bit of a toll.The country's bus system is extensive and can get you to nearly any destination you want, including Northern Ireland. Check their timetables online ahead of time and make sure that your selected routes will mesh, and you should be fine. The rail system is less extensive than the bus routes and a good deal pricier, but it's tough to beat a train ride through the Irish countryside. If you have the funds to do it, the train is a great way to get across the country. The less thought of method (since Ireland is so small) is to fly. With Ryanair offering flights from Cork to Dublin for about 10 euro taxes included, it is pretty cheap to get between the major cities if you have the time to do so, and don't mind the antics of Ryanair (you'll understand if you ever fly with them!) There are lots of choices for getting around, and more than likely you'll find one that suits you best. |
Banking hours in IrelandMost banks in Ireland are open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Of these, some branches are open through lunch. There is extended opening until 5.00 p.m. on one day per week (the choice varying from place to place).In Northern Ireland the opening hours are 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. In some places, the banks close for lunch 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. In the Republic and Northern Ireland, in very small villages, banking services may be provided only on two or three days per week. Therefore, it is advisable that you make arrangements to get cash in the bigger centers. Cash dispensers have become more widely available in recent years and post offices can also provide limited cash services. |
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Irish Postage StampsYou should use Irish postage stamps on letters posted in the Republic and British postage stamps on letters posted in Northern Ireland. |
Counties of IrelandTo Find out more about the individual counties which make up the island of Ireland just click here |
