Focus on Ireland

To keep in the Poland-Ukraine 2012 spirit, I’ll focus on a different country playing in the tournament each day during the month of June; looking not so much at the national football team but more about travel to and visiting the country itself.

Trim Castle, Co. Meath, Ireland (Photo: Wikipedia)

Today’s spotlight is on The Republic of Ireland.

Ireland is often called the Emerald Isle because of the powerful greenness of its countryside.

Sadly, many of us – myself included – are guilty of spending too much time in Dublin.

The Island of Ireland

Ireland is a part of the British Isles geographically. Politically, the island is divided into Northern Ireland, a constituent part of the United Kingdom; and the idependent state of Ireland (Éire, in Irish)..

Map of Ireland – Irish Counties

The Republic of Ireland

The term ‘Republic of Ireland’ is a description of the State of Ireland (Éire – Ireland), as outlined in the Republic of Ireland Act 1948; often used to distinguish the state from the island of Ireland as a whole.

The Irish state makes up 26 of the 32 traditional counties of the island of Ireland; including part of the province of Ulster.

Northern Ireland is the remaining six counties of Ulster, in the north-eastern part of the island.

Ruled by England for more than 400 years, the Republic gained independence in 1922, after a long and violent struggle.

Ireland Tourism

Ireland is a land of mountains, lakes, and rolling farmland, with an ancient history and world-famous literary tradition.

Scenic attractions include the romantic Lakes of Killarney; the lush Wicklow Mountains; and the Cliffs of Moher, that rise from the sea in a five-mile wall.

Many Americans – presidents included – like to visit Ireland to ‘trace their Irish roots’.

U.S. Presidents with Irish Roots:
Over half the presidents in U.S. history claim Irish ancestry of some kind.

Visit Ireland – Visit Dublin.

Short URL: http://tnot.es/IEfocus

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