Tus maith is leath na h-oibre(a good start is half the work)


Capital: City of Dublin*





The Republic of Ireland is traditionally described as having 26 counties, and these continue in use in cultural, historical and sporting contexts.

When under Gaelic rule, Ireland was divided into provinces to replace the earlier system

The four provinces are:

Ulster*(Largest city - Belfast)

TODAY Six of Ulster's nine counties, County Antrim (Aontroim), Armagh (Ard Mhacha), County Down (An Dún)
, Fermanagh (Fear Manach), County Londonderry (Doire) and Tyrone (Tír Eoghain) , form Northern Ireland, and remained part of the UK after the rest of Ireland set up a separate political unit in 1921. Many people (especially unionists) refer to the six-county Northern Ireland as "Ulster".

Three Ulster counties, Cavan (An Cabhán)*, Donegal (Dún na nGall)* and Monaghan (Muineachán)* form part of the Republic of Ireland. About half of Ulster's population lives in Antrim and Down.


Connacht* (Largest city - Galway*)

Comprising the counties of County Galway (Co. na Gaillimhe), County Leitrim(Liatroim), County Mayo (Co. Mhaigh Eo), County Roscommon (Co. Ros Comáin) and County Sligo* (Sligeach)

The highest point of Connacht is Mweelrea (814 metres), in Mayo. The largest island in Connacht is Achill, also the largest island of Ireland. The biggest lake is Lough Corrib.


Leinster*(Largest city - Dublin*)

Comprises the counties of County Carlow*, County Dublin, County Kildare*, County Kilkenny*, County Laois*, County Longford*, County Louth*, County Meath*, County Offaly*, County Westmeath*, County Wexford and County Wicklow*.


Munster* (Largest city - Cork )

Comprises the counties of County Clare, County Cork (Corcaigh) / Co. Chorcaí, County Kerry*, County Limerick, County Tipperary*, County Waterford

The time of your life!



Take your time when traveling around the country. Although it's possible to drive the length of Ireland in less than a day and to traverse the width of the country in a few hours, we prefer to settle in and explore a particular region, whether on foot, on horseback or behind the wheel, mindful of the wandering sheep on small back roads.

Regions

North/ NorthWest Ireland*

Eastern Ireland*

South/Southwest Ireland*





STUBBED OUT: Ireland's controversial workplace smoking ban took effect Monday as scheduled -- and no riots were reported. Remind clients headed to the Emerald Isle that the new provision effectively outlaws smoking in pubs and restaurants across the Republic. However, smokers will still be able to light up at the table across the border in Northern Ireland -- where pub owners are reportedly expecting a windfall of business from drinkers "jones-ing" for a cigarette with their pints.

"Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine

Destination Information & Travel Store*



Leap Year was the tradional time that women could propose marriage. In many of today's cultures, it is ok for a woman to propose marriage to a man. However, that hasn't always been the case. When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years. It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait so long for a man to propose. (Men were actually "just getting even" since the lady's took so long to get ready for anything) So, according to legend, St. Patrick said the females could propose on this one day in February during the Leap Year, thus the tradition was born!

St Patrick's Day 17 March anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish observe this day as a religious holiday.

REPUBLIC OF DESTINATION GUIDE

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rain fall soft upon your fields. May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you're gone. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Irish Welcome Awards













Saints

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