Borders are my favorite topic when traveling. This is not just a stripe on a map or a line on the ground, but a real rift between civilizations. In some places the borders are huge fences, mines and anti-tank ditches, but in quieter places you can find yourself in another country and not even notice.
Between Ireland and the UK they do not check documents and force you to open the trunk. But kilometers become miles, and euros become pounds.
Are there other differences? To understand this, I traveled through two countries at the same time.
1 I'm driving on a perfectly flat road with excellent new markings. Soon everything will change?
2 The beginning and end of every settlement in the Republic of Ireland is marked with signs wishing you a safe trip and indicating the speed limit. At the bottom of the sign it is specified - kilometers per hour.
3 I was going to Northern Ireland a year ago, but I got stuck visiting David, who bought a Transaero plane and is turning it into a hotel. Then I asked everyone (both Russians and Irish) how the north differs from the south, and what is there on the border. “Yes, it’s the same thing,” they told me. People, how inattentive you are!
4 Here it is, the line. What is on the left side of the photo is an independent Ireland. The houses on the right are in Great Britain. Speed - in miles.
5 See for yourself, here is the index for the southerners. Pay attention to the markings, reflectors, and the road sign itself.
5-1 Derry and Londonderry are the same city.
6 With few exceptions, in Northern Ireland it is not clear in what units speed is measured. They say you have to guess where you are. But only the most attentive, even among the locals, will guess: the border winds in such a way that even a sober person cannot figure it out.
7 I don’t understand miles, and I’m too lazy to calculate. How did you drive in America? So everything is clear: the speed limit is 70 - you go 70. And what is 112 kilometers per hour - well, who will bother? By the way, after crossing the border, for some reason the car’s odometer began to show numbers in miles. Although the speedometer itself remains in kilometers (of course, it’s damn analog!). When we moved back, nothing changed. It’s a strange thing, there’s definitely no GPS in the car.
8 Prudent Southern Irish people remind you that you should drive on the left side of the road. This is despite the fact that in Britain, driving on the left is exactly the same. Well, you never know, suddenly the tourists forgot.
9 It’s boring to just drive across borders, so I pointed at the map and found a village located in both countries at the same time. This is Pettigo.
10 Prepare to be surprised: the tractor is standing in Ireland, and in those houses in the background live the Queen’s subjects.
11 A small river, Termon, flows through Petigo, along which the border was drawn. On the right is north, on the left is south.
12 Pedestrian bridge. The flowerbed is neutral territory.
13 600 people live here (on both sides), and their number is not growing, but decreasing. So the standard of living leaves much to be desired; many houses are dilapidated or abandoned.
14 Let's cross the bridge and look at the British.
15 There is a British Telecom telephone booth right there. They inform you that you can also pay in euros. Likewise, in stores in both countries, they can accept any of the two currencies. The only question is at what rate. After all, if food is cheaper to buy in Ireland, the shops on the British side will simply go bankrupt!
16 The British are Protestants.
17 Irish people are Catholics. And everyone has their own church.
18 Here it is not a problem, and everyone lives in peace. There are other examples: in Belfast they had to build huge walls to divide neighbors along religious lines, otherwise they would kill each other. But we will return to this story later.
19 House on the “north” side.
20 Closed Royal Mail branch.
21 British cars with Irish plates.
22 The second road bridge over Thermon. Find out for yourself where exactly the state border lies. This is very clearly visible!
23 The first thing a traveler sees in Ireland is an advertisement for Guinness beer.
24 And only then that miles became kilometers.
25 The devastation here is almost like in the Russian provinces.
26 I went into the yard. What's there?
27 They drown with peat! This is where the unusual smell comes from, as if from a distillery?! And in Dublin in the evening it smells like baked potatoes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually heat houses with potatoes.
28 Would you like to live in a courtyard like this?
29 Small shop and post office. Unlike the British one, it works.
30 Spit on the other side of the river.
31 What is sure to be in the Irish village are national flags. Not very much, but certainly. In Petogo there is also a monument to a man with a gun, a hero of the struggle for independence. In Northern Ireland there were no flags in the villages.
32 In general, everyone here has calmed down a long time ago. Otherwise, there would be no free passage, but there would be border guards with machine guns. There are problems, but within Northern Ireland itself, and I will say again that this is a topic for a separate conversation and post.
33 I'm heading to Derry, a large city in the west of Northern Ireland. The borders continue to twist and turn bizarrely.
36 For now, here it is: the road and the horses are in different states.
37 The only reminder of a real cordon can be found on the main road between Belfast and Dublin. You need to exit the expressway onto the old parallel road. The map doesn’t lie; in the right place there will even be zero mile and an abandoned English border house.
How will life change here when the UK finally leaves the European Union, of which the Republic of Ireland is a member? Now you can visit Ireland with an open and “stamped” English visa, but what will happen then? One thing is clear - the emergence of a real border will complicate the existence of people on both sides and may finally “finish off” the not-so-successful British region.
Did you like the post? Like, comment, wait for the next one! Next I will talk about the beauties and horrors of Northern Ireland.
Economic and geographical position of Ireland
Ireland is a Western European state that occupies most of the island of the same name.
The Atlantic Ocean washes the territory on three sides. The northern border is with Northern Ireland, part of Great Britain, with which Ireland borders directly to the east.
The countries are separated from each other by the North Channel, St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. The length of its sea borders is 1448 km, and its land borders are 360 km.
The island itself, and therefore the country, is located on important air and sea routes between Europe and North America, which makes the country’s geographical location favorable for economic development.
Connections with the European continent and the UK are maintained by air and ferry services. All types of transport are developing within the country. Flights from Dublin are available to all major cities - Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Sligo, etc.
Railway connections are established not only within the country, but also with Northern Ireland. Most settlements are covered by bus service.
There are many islands off the west coast, which can be reached by regular ferry services. Ireland carries out all communications with countries around the world by air and sea transport.
Rapid economic growth began in the 1990s, and inflation and trade deficits fell sharply. Until the 90s, agriculture was an important sector of the economy, then industry took first place, accounting for 38% of gross income and 80% of all exports.
The country is a member of European organizations and unions - WTO, EU, OSCE, UN, CE, etc.
The main factor in the sustainable growth of the Irish economy is its exports. The country exports machinery and equipment, food products, and non-ferrous metal concentrates.
Foreign trade partners are:
- Germany,
- Great Britain,
- France.
Ireland produces more food than it can consume in its domestic market, so food products account for about 10% of total exports.
Imports mainly include raw materials and supplies for mechanical engineering, textile products, and some food industry products.
Irish import partners are mainly its neighbors - Germany, France, Great Britain, and the USA.
For eight centuries, Ireland was a colony of Great Britain, and only in 1921 was the Anglo-Irish Treaty signed, which proposed the formation of the Irish Free State.
This was the official name the country bore until 1937. It was part of the British Commonwealth from 1922 to 1949.
The country began to be called the Irish Republic in 1949 and its connection with the British Commonwealth was terminated.
Note 1
Thus, the economic and geographical position of Ireland is favorable; the country managed to defend its independence and, using its advantageous geographical position, but not having a wide variety of mineral resources, became one of the industrial-agrarian countries of Western Europe.
Natural conditions of Ireland
The Caledonian and Hercynian folds, volcanic eruptions and Quaternary glaciation had a major role in the relief of Ireland.
Occupying the outer part of the shelf throughout geological history, Ireland has repeatedly been subject to transgressions and regressions from the sea.
The central plain, composed of red sandstones and limestones, occupies the interior of the island and was formed during one of the Paleozoic transgressions. It rises above the sea by only 60 m. Within its borders there are individual hills rising to 180-300 m.
The outskirts of the plain are higher, represented by an island plateau, the height of which reaches 600 m. Low mountains rise along the edges of the island - these include the massifs of the western outskirts of Connemara, with a height of 819 m, Mayo - 807 m. The Donegal massif in the north-west, its height 676 m and two massifs in the east of the island - Morne, with a height of 852 m and Wicklow - 926 m above sea level.
The last two massifs belong to the Caledonian folding and form sharply defined peaks. The mountains located on the southern edge of the island belong to the Hercynian fold, so in the southwest are the Kerry Mountains, where the highest point of the country is located - Mount Carrantuill, whose height is 1041 m.
The northeastern part is occupied by the Ant Rim plateau and lowlands. Glaciation in the mountainous areas left its traces in the form of circuses, deepened valleys, and in lowland areas - drumlins, carts, drainage hollows, moraines.
Ireland lies within a maritime temperate climate, which is characterized by unstable cyclonic weather, with frequent rain, fog, and winds.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, winter in Ireland is mild, with an average January temperature of +5, +8 degrees. The temperature of cloudy and cool summer is around +14, +16 degrees.
The average annual precipitation in the east is 700-800 mm, in the west the amount increases to 1000-1500 mm, and in the mountains more than 2000 mm falls per year. The bulk of precipitation occurs in winter.
Natural Resources of Ireland
Ireland does not have a wide variety of mineral resources, but those found in its depths are quite significant.
The richest copper deposits were discovered in Avoca, and barite deposits in Badlino. Back in the 70s, the country became a leader among European countries in the production of non-ferrous metal ores.
Zinc reserves amount to 9 million tons, lead reserves – 1.7 million tons. There is silver and confirmed reserves of gold.
Coal reserves amount to 29 thousand tons, natural gas - 20 billion cubic meters. m.
Sand, gravel, and stone are mined for the construction industry. Peat is of great importance in the country, the extraction of which reaches 5 million tons per year. Peat briquette plants process it for energy needs.
As a result of high humidity, not only a dense river network was formed in the country, but also an abundance of lakes and swamps. The rivers, which do not freeze throughout the year, are used to generate electricity and for navigation.
The island's most significant river is the Shannon, which crosses Ireland from east to west. The length of the river is 386 km.
Tectonic, glacial, and karst lakes formed on the Central Plain. The largest lakes are Lough Corrib, Lough Mask, Lough Ree.
The country's soils are infertile. Where there are limestone outcrops on the surface, barren limestone heaths and heaths spread. In the dry areas of the Central Plain, podzolic soils developed. Swampy peatlands become fertile after draining. High air humidity promotes the development of acidic soils, which are characterized by phosphorus deficiency. To increase fertility, the soil is limed and phosphate fertilizers are applied.
The climatic and soil conditions of Ireland are unfavorable for tree growth, so a characteristic feature of the country's landscapes is treelessness. Small, forested lands occupy only 1% of the area, but grass grows everywhere and well, providing fodder for livestock. The existing meadows are used for grazing.
Ireland is located on the continent of Europe and the occupied territory of Ireland is 70,273. The population of Ireland is 4,515,000 people. The capital of Ireland is located in the city of Dublin. The form of government in Ireland is a Republic. In Ireland they speak: Irish, English. Who does Ireland border with: Great Britain.If somewhere there is an emerald fairyland, then this is only Ireland. It’s hard to imagine who exactly painted it emerald green (either the terrible and great Goodwin, or the local painters in overalls, or Mother Nature, or all together), but there are almost only other shades and colors in the Irish palette not available.
Green trees entwined with ivy and not only trees, but also the walls of ancient buildings and telegraph poles - everything is buried in green. Green planes from Aer Rianta and Aer Lingus. Green postal and garbage collection vehicles. The school uniform is green, the same color as the vests for road workers. Each kiosk has a ton of green souvenirs. And finally, green endless pastures with a huge number of sheep and cows, which fortunately are no longer green.
Scientists say that the color green has an extremely calming effect on the nervous system. Looking at the Irish, this is easy enough to believe, since they do not spoil the nerves of either themselves or others over trifles, and it seems that they are almost always in a good mood.
Ireland is an unusually quiet country. Life here flows in a smooth, calm rhythm. There is a feeling of neatness and thoroughness in everything. The republic's economy is currently developing at a rapid pace.
Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland. The university was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, occupying an enviable position in the center of the Irish capital. Small old squares paved with cobblestones have been preserved. In the parks and gardens of the college you can see a special collection of buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries.
The seasons in Ireland are observed conditionally, since there is practically no winter in this country; it is always spring here. Summer is mostly cool. The climate is mild, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, and all year round in the valleys sheltered from the winds the meadows turn green, acquiring a fierce emerald depth, and oaks, rhododendrons, laurels, Mediterranean strawberry trees and even palm trees grow along the roads. In the capital of Ireland, Dublin, in December-January you can see a flowering tree. Almost like in Israel...
The Emerald Isle has long attracted millions of tourists from all over the world. Travelers' interest in Ireland is growing every year. In 2000, the “green island” was visited by more than six million tourists.
Breathtaking history, medieval architectural and cultural monuments, centuries-old traditions are ideally combined with the world's latest technologies. Ecology, this impeccable nature: from the lunar rocky landscape to green hills and forests, lakes and even in the southwest of the island, palm trees. The rivers and lakes of Ireland are rich in various fish, such as trout, salmon, pike, especially loved by fishermen, and amazing ocean fishing for eel, stingray, mackerel and blue shark in counties Galway, Kerry, Clare will delight even the most demanding fisherman.
In Irish cuisine, a favorite pastime is to eat various types of meat: game, poultry, lamb, pork, veal, beef - and yet veal and lamb predominate, and the entire population of Ireland prefers meat roasted in large whole pieces over an open fire. Fish is cooked with the same frequency and is eaten along with meat.
Potatoes are held in high esteem by the Irish. A variety of dishes are prepared from it, and potatoes “in their jacket” or boiled with herring or with sour milk occupy the main place in the Irish diet.
The Irish consume a lot of vegetables, and vegetables are again combined with potatoes. Favorite vegetable dish - stewed cabbage mixed with potatoes and baked in the oven. The enormous consumption of tea is a characteristic feature of Ireland. Tea is drunk everywhere, always and by everyone, without distinction of age or gender.
The name of the country comes from the Irish Éire and is translated very simply - as a state. Relatively small in area (70.2 thousand square kilometers), Ireland is located on the third largest island in Europe, which bears the same name. Almost one fourth of the country's population, which is 1.4 million people, lives in the capital, Dublin. The length of the island from east to west is about 300 kilometers, from north to south - 450 kilometers. In the east it is washed by the Irish Sea, in the west, north and south it borders on the Atlantic Ocean. The joint border with Great Britain is 360 kilometers. The highest geographical point of the island is Mount Carantuill, its height is 1041 meters.
Ireland is rightfully known as one of the best places to spend your vacation, which differs from a beach holiday in the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea. There are other points that attract travelers: the presence of an extensive excursion program, determined by the historical past of the country, the famous Irish beer, and unforgettable nature rightfully attract many European tourists here.
For Russian travel lovers, the road here is not so easy, although the recently opened direct flight Moscow - Dublin (only in the high season, in the summer) undoubtedly improves the situation. Ireland also attracts many students from different countries who come here to improve their English. Well, the splendor of nature, which no advertising booklet can convey, attracts many photographers and artists to the country.
Current time in Dublin:
(UTC 0)
However, both bohemians and fans of hard rock will find something to entertain themselves here. Dublin's theater troupes and famous conceptual rock parties are just some of what Ireland has in store for tourists. Well, the incredible hospitality of the locals towards visitors has long become a legend - guests here do not experience any difficulties.
How to get to Ireland
Aircraft
Since Ireland is an island, travel can be done either by air or by boat. With airplanes, everything is quite simple - the main airport, and by and large the only one where you can fly from other countries, is Dublin airport. This is where planes of the national Irish airline Aer Lingus fly, as well as Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryan Air. The planes of these airlines fly from almost every major European city, in addition there are flights from other airlines. The air ticket search form will help you understand the variety of flights, where you can look at both options and prices, and immediately purchase a ticket in a few clicks. As for direct flights, they appear in the high season from Moscow, and year-round residents of St. Petersburg can fly from the Finnish Lappeenranta Airport, where the already mentioned low-cost carrier Ryan Air flies from Dublin.
Ferries to Ireland
Since Ireland, as already noted, is an island, ferry service is very developed here.
Ferries from Dublin depart to ports such as Holyhead (UK, near Liverpool) and Cherbourg (France). Tickets can be purchased on the company's websites and. In total, up to 8 ferries run on the route per day, the journey takes 2-3 hours. In addition, Stena Line operates another 7 daily flights from the port of Dun Laare (a few kilometers south of Dublin). You can also sail from Dublin to the Isle of Man by company ferries, and there is also a Dublin-Liverpool ferry, the route is served by the company.
Ferries from the port of Rosslare depart to Cherbourg (France, Stena Line and Irish Ferries), Roscov (France, Irish Ferries), Pembroke (UK, Irish Ferries) and Fishguard (UK, Stena Line).
Cities and regions
The Irish Republic consists of four historical provinces, which in turn are divided into 26 counties. Counties are the main administrative-territorial units of the country, which arose during the period of Anglo-Norman rule after the 12th century. Modern borders were determined by an act of the Government in 1898.
In the north of the island there are 9 counties Ulster, six of which are part of Northern Ireland, and the rest are part of the Republic of Ireland.
In the east of the island is Leinster, which includes Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Kildare, Louth, Laish, Meath, Longford, West Meath, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford.
In the south of Ireland there is a province Munster. Its composition includes the counties of Clare, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary.
The main destinations along this route are Killarney, Kenmare, Sneam, Waterville, Cahersiveen, Glenbeigh and Killorglin. The total mileage is about 170 kilometers.
Traveling through these places, you can see numerous historical monuments and beautiful natural places. Travelers will be able to see Ross Castle, erected in the 15th century, the Muckross House building (19th century), which later became a museum, bodies of water in Killarney and the national park of the same name, the houses of Derrynan and O'Connell, the Black Valley, the temple of St. Michael, erected in the Middle Ages, Skelling Islands, the Druid ring, the monastery of Franciscan monks and many other interesting places and buildings.
You can travel along this route by car. But there are other, more interesting ways, in particular, walking paths and bicycle paths along roads built many years ago.
This is a route that is in great demand among visitors to the Emerald Isle. In the summer, numerous bus excursions are organized to these beautiful places.
Top attractions in Ireland by category:
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Leisure
Getting around the country
Almost the entire transport system in Ireland can be called a public asset on both sides of the Irish border. The roads of the two parts of the country developed independently of each other, and the railway network was formed for the most part before Ireland was divided.
Irish cuisine
You can change money at exchange offices, travel agencies, hotels, but a more favorable rate is usually in banks, open on weekdays from 10.00 to 16.00, on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At ATMs, available in almost every bank branch, you can withdraw cash from plastic cards of international payment systems around the clock. Traveler's checks are also used, when cashing them you must have the appropriate plastic card. There are no restrictions on the number of checks.
Since almost all tourists visiting Ireland do not avoid Dublin, it makes sense to read our article about “Shopping in Dublin”, where you will learn about the nuances of shopping in the Irish capital, read about
Ireland is an interesting country, the main attractions of which date back to the Middle Ages and prehistoric periods. Moreover, here you can see not only a huge number of ancient castles and fortresses, but also many natural wonders.
First of all, it is necessary to note Dublin, which is one of the oldest cities in Europe (9th century). It is notable not only for its beautiful landscapes (Dublin Bay and the River Liffey), but also for its medieval streets, squares and cathedrals. The most outstanding landmark of this city is the magnificent St. Patrick's Cathedral. Also worth highlighting is the obelisk in honor of the Duke of Wellington, Fifteen Acre Square, Dublin Castle, the residence of the English Viceroy of Ireland Blackrock House, the labyrinth of streets around Temple Barpark, O'Connall Street and the Chester Beatty Library.
Small towns located near the capital are also very interesting. For example, in Dun Leray the city yacht club, the Town Hall building and other ancient buildings are notable.
Among other cities, it is necessary to highlight Cork, which is famous for its many ancient cathedrals and museums, Waterford, founded by the Vikings back in 914, and Donegal, where the legends about the famous headless horseman originated.
Also one of the most famous attractions in Ireland is Newgrange, which is a huge mound surrounded by stone blocks. Not far from it there are two more ancient mounds - Naut and Daut.
Well, among the main natural tourist sites, the most famous are the amazing natural formations called the Giant's Causeway. Also popular is Connemara, which is located in County Galway. The Aran Islands are also noteworthy, where there are mysterious ancient structures created by unknown tribes.
All attractions case for reference
Kitchen
Irish cuisine is simple: it is based on hearty meat dishes made from lamb or pork. One of the most popular dishes that you can try at any local restaurant is traditional stew. Moreover, the stew is prepared according to a variety of recipes, although most often it includes lamb neck, potatoes, onions and spices. Also worth trying are stu (stewed lamb brisket), Gaelic steak (sirloin of beef with whiskey) and Dublin codel (a mixture of sausages, bacon and potatoes). In addition, all kinds of potato dishes (soups, pies, dumplings, buns, etc.) are widespread in Ireland. One of the most famous potato dishes here is colcannon, made from mashed potatoes and cabbage. Another traditional potato dish is boxty pancakes.
Fish and seafood dishes are also very common in Irish cuisine. Moreover, young herring, which is called white byte (white food), is considered a special delicacy here. You can also see dishes made from red algae on the local menu.
Well, another distinctive feature of the local cuisine is the widespread popularity of cheese, which is even called “white meat” here, and the abundance of traditional baked goods.
As for drinks, when talking about Ireland, it is impossible not to mention dark beer and whiskey. The most famous beer that can be tasted in any pub in the country is Guinness. Irish whiskey is also very popular, and its taste is much milder than Scotch. In addition, it is worth trying real Irish coffee with cream and whiskey.
Accommodation
All Irish hotels comply with the international classification and are inspected annually by the Irish Hotel Federation, so the living conditions and quality of service here always correspond to the declared category. Moreover, the price of accommodation here includes breakfast (buffet). Most Irish hotels have pubs and free parking.
If we talk about the hotels themselves, then their choice here is truly colossal: from upscale 4 and 5* hotels to guesthouses and small private boarding houses. Travelers most often stay in Bed&Breakfast hotels, where guests are offered cozy rooms and home-cooked food. Such establishments are scattered throughout the country and are considered one of the most affordable accommodation options.
In rural areas of the country, accommodation is possible in ancient castles with medieval interiors. Of course, the cost of living in such hotels is quite high, but in addition to traditional services, guests have access to golf courses, swimming pools and spa centers.
Entertainment and relaxation
Ireland is a very distinctive and multifaceted country, so here everyone can find entertainment to suit their taste. Each city has art galleries, museums, nightclubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues. An Irish pub can be an excellent place to spend leisure time, where people come to chat with friends or make new acquaintances. Fans of classical music are first advised to visit the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Many Irish towns host dinner theater shows and open-air concerts. Performances with local dances are organized almost everywhere.
Fans of active outdoor entertainment will also like it in Ireland. The country has a great many peninsulas and bays with excellent places, as if created specifically for practicing any kind of water sports. There are also many excellent fishing spots here. The country is famous for its golf clubs and hippodromes.
And, of course, we can’t help but mention Irish holidays and festivals. Of these, the most famous are the Oyster Festival, Jazz Festival, Early Music Festival, Irish Gourmet Festival, Blues Festival, Jazz Festival, Authors Week Literary Festival, November Opera Festival and Theater Festival. Also noteworthy is St. Patrick's Day (March 17), which is accompanied by fireworks, colorful shows, concerts and lots of beer.
Purchases
Ireland is a very developed country, so shopping here is very pleasant and exciting. The best place for shopping is undoubtedly Dublin. In this city you can buy literally everything - from designer clothes to antiques. Moreover, there are six large shopping districts, where numerous shopping centers, boutiques, department stores, jewelry stores and bookstores are concentrated.
Of course, there are plenty of shops in other Irish cities too. There is, of course, less choice there, but the prices are lower. In addition, only in Galway you can buy the famous Claddagh rings, and in Limerick you can buy real Waterford crystal.
Among the most popular Irish souvenirs, it is worth noting all kinds of goods with green shamrocks, records with national music, figurines of fairy-tale creatures and local musical instruments. Of course, the best souvenirs from the country are whiskey, beer and Baileys milk liqueur.
It is necessary to keep in mind that citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union should always take a special “tax free” form when making purchases, which guarantees monetary compensation upon departure from the country (12–17% of the cost of purchases).
Transport
After the modernization of roads in Ireland, the demand for domestic flights has significantly decreased. Therefore, planes currently only fly within the country between Dublin, Donegal and Kerry. The bus network covers almost all populated areas, and the railway connects the capital with all major cities. The small islands that dot the western coast of the country can be reached from any nearest port, of which there are many.
If we talk about urban transport, it is represented by quite comfortable buses. In Dublin, buses are double-decker and painted bright green. Tickets are purchased from drivers, and it is much more profitable to buy not a one-time ticket, but a pass for a certain number of trips or days. In addition, in Dublin, tourists can purchase a Dublin Pass discount card, which provides a number of significant discounts, including on travel. There are also taxis in major cities in Ireland, however, their services are quite expensive: $3 per ride and $1.5 per kilometer.
Companies providing car rentals are found everywhere. In order to use their services, you will need to have an international license, two credit cards, insurance and a deposit ($500–1000). In addition, the driver must be between 23 and 79 years old.
Connection
Ireland can boast of excellent telephone quality. Moreover, in all cities of the country, telephone booths and pay phones are installed everywhere, so there will be no problems with communication here. It is worth considering that calls from telephone booths are the most profitable option, but calls from hotels are the most expensive.
Irish cellular communications also have excellent quality (GSM 900/1800). International roaming is available to all subscribers of major Russian operators.
The Internet in Ireland is ubiquitous: there are Wi-Fi hotspots in almost all hotels, airports and shopping centers. And often it is free. If we talk about Internet cafes, they are not particularly popular in Ireland, and therefore are few in number.
Safety
Ireland is an absolutely safe and friendly country, the crime rate here is extremely low. Of course, this does not mean that in this country you should neglect the general rules of personal safety, since pickpockets and scammers still occur here.
Ireland is absolutely safe from a medical point of view. You will not need any special vaccinations to travel here.
Business climate
Ireland is the most important economic, industrial and business center of Europe, where the offices and representative offices of the world's largest companies are based. The key sectors of the economy here are: production of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and mechanical engineering, information technology. The main body that regulates the financial life of the country is the Central Bank of Ireland. In addition, the main banking institutions in Europe are presented here, which are divided into three categories: industrial, settlement and commercial. The country also has the Irish Stock Exchange, which is considered one of the oldest in Europe.
It is worth saying that as a result of the recent financial crisis, the banking sector and the country's budget have suffered seriously. But even despite this, Ireland is attractive for entrepreneurs. This is explained by the fact that the tax rate here is one of the lowest in the EU (12.5%).
Real estate
In Ireland, the procedure for selling real estate is no different from the generally accepted schemes in Europe. Therefore, any foreigner can easily buy a home or commercial property here. True, there are some caveats: the purchase cannot be completely disposed of within seven years, and the maximum limitation on the area of the purchased land plot is two hectares.
The main criterion that determines the cost per square meter is its location, so housing prices in the center of the capital are quite high here. Moreover, according to analysts, their growth is expected in the near future.
The locals are quite friendly and welcoming, but in Ireland, as in any country, there are general rules and norms of behavior for foreigners. Thus, it is not customary to tip in Irish pubs, and, according to tradition, pub visitors buy drinks not only for themselves, but also treat others. In addition, it is not recommended to start conversations with Irish people about feminism and religion, as well as relations with Great Britain. Smoking is prohibited in local restaurants, hotels and cinemas.
Visa information
To visit Ireland, Russian citizens will need to obtain a visa.
Irish visas can be of several types: tourist, transit, student and business visas. The processing time for visa applications is no more than 30 days. The Irish Embassy in Moscow is located at: per. Grokholsky, 5.
Policy
Ireland is a republic.
The current constitution was adopted as a result of a plebiscite on July 1, 1937, and came into force on December 29, 1937.
The President of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán) (a largely ceremonial post) is elected by the people for a 7-year term. The president has the right to convene and dissolve the lower house of parliament at the initiative of the government; he promulgates laws, appoints judges and other senior officials, and heads the armed forces.
The actual head of the executive branch is the Prime Minister (Taoiseach), nominated by the House of Representatives and confirmed by the President.
The highest legislative body is the parliament (Irish: Tithe An Oireachtais), which consists of the president and 2 chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives has from 160 to 170 members elected by the people on the basis of universal, direct and secret suffrage using a system of proportional representation.
The Senate consists of 60 members, of which 11 are appointed by the Prime Minister, 6 are elected by the National and Dublin Universities, 43 are elected by indirect elections from special lists (candidates for these lists are nominated by various organizations and associations). The Senate electoral college consists of approximately 900 people, including members of the House of Representatives, members of county councils and municipal councils. The term of office of both chambers is up to 7 years.
Story
The first people settled Ireland during the Mesolithic period, around 8000 BC, when its climate improved following the retreat of glaciers. Gradually its inhabitants became part of the Celtic population and culture. The name of the island in Irish is Erin ("peace" and later "western island"). The ancient Irish lived in separate clan tribes under the control of hereditary chiefs, jointly owned land and were engaged almost exclusively in cattle breeding. Ireland was not part of the Roman Empire, but it is mentioned by Roman historians (Ptolemy, Tacitus, Juvenal).
In 432, Saint Patrick, a native of Britain, spread Christianity among the Irish. The calm that reigned on the island was conducive to the development of learning among the monastics. Already from the 6th century, Ireland became the center of Western learning; preachers of Christianity on the mainland emerged from its monastic schools; their main source was the monastery on the island of Iona. Irish monks made significant contributions to the preservation of Latin culture during the early Middle Ages. Ireland of this period was famous for its arts - illustrations for manuscript books (see Book of Kells), metalwork and sculpture (see Celtic Cross).
This education of the clergy disappeared as soon as the Vikings began to disturb Ireland with their raids, and soon began to establish settlements on the shores of the island (in particular, Dublin). Only at the beginning of the 11th century did the Irish, led by King Brian Boru, defeat the Vikings. Brian Boru died at the decisive Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
At the end of the 12th century, part of the territory of Ireland was conquered by the British under King Henry II. The English barons took over the lands of the Irish clans and introduced English laws and systems of government. The conquered region was called the outskirts (the pale) and both in management and in its further development differed sharply from the yet unconquered, so-called Wild Ireland, in which the British constantly sought to make new conquests.
When Robert the Bruce took possession of the Scottish crown and successfully waged war with England, the Irish leaders turned to him for help against their common enemy. His brother Edward arrived with an army in 1315 and was proclaimed king by the Irish, but after a three-year war that terribly devastated the island, he died in battle with the British. However, in 1348, the Black Death came to Ireland, exterminating almost all the English who lived in cities where mortality was especially high. After the plague, English power extended no further than Dublin.
During the English Reformation, the Irish remained Catholic, creating a schism between the two islands that survives to this day. In 1536, Henry VIII suppressed the rebellion of Silk Thomas Fitzgerald, the English protege in Ireland, and decided to reconquer the island. In 1541, Henry proclaimed Ireland a kingdom and himself its king. Over the next hundred years, under Elizabeth and James I, the English consolidated their control over Ireland, although they were unable to convert the Irish into Protestants. However, the entire English administration consisted only of Protestant Anglicans.
During the English Civil War, English control over the island greatly weakened, and the Catholic Irish rebelled against the Protestants, temporarily creating Confederate Ireland, but already in 1649 Oliver Cromwell arrived in Ireland with a large and experienced army, took the cities of Drogheda and Wexford by storm around Dublin. In Drogheda, Cromwell ordered the killing of the entire garrison and Catholic priests, and in Wexford the army carried out a massacre without permission. Within nine months, Cromwell conquered almost the entire island, and then handed over the leadership to his son-in-law Ayrton, who continued the work he had begun. Cromwell's goal was to put an end to the unrest on the island by displacing the Irish Catholics, who were forced either to leave the country or move west to Connacht, while their lands were distributed to English colonists, mostly Cromwell's soldiers. In 1641, more than 1.5 million people lived in Ireland, and in 1652 only 850 thousand remained, of which 150 thousand were English and Scottish new settlers.
In 1689, during the Glorious Revolution, the Irish supported the English king James II, who was deposed by William of Orange, for which they again paid.
As a result of English colonization, the native Irish almost completely lost their land holdings; a new ruling stratum was formed, consisting of Protestants, immigrants from England and Scotland.
In 1801 Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish language began to be replaced by English.
At the beginning of the 19th century. about 86% of the Irish population was employed in agriculture, which was dominated by bonded forms of exploitation. Ireland served as one of the sources for the accumulation of English capital and the development of industry in England.
From the mid-40s. XIX century The agrarian revolution began. The fall in bread prices (after the abolition of the Corn Laws in England in 1846) prompted landowners to begin an intensive transition from the system of small peasant leases to large-scale pasture farming. The process of driving small tenants off the land (the so-called clearing of estates) intensified.
The repeal of the “Corn Laws” and a disease of the potato, which was the main crop of land-poor Irish peasants, led to a terrible famine of 1845-1849. As a result of the famine, about 1 million people died.
Emigration increased significantly (1.5 million people left from 1846 to 1851), which became a constant feature of the historical development of Ireland.
As a result, in 1841-1851. Ireland's population fell by 30%.
And subsequently, Ireland rapidly lost population: if in 1841 the population was 8 million 178 thousand people, then in 1901 it was only 4 million 459 thousand.
In 1919, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched active military operations against British troops and police. On April 15-27, 1919, the Republic of Soviet Limerick existed on the territory of the county of the same name. In December 1921, a peace treaty was signed between Great Britain and Ireland. Ireland received dominion status (the so-called Irish Free State), with the exception of the 6 most industrially developed north-eastern counties (Northern Ireland) with a predominance of Protestants, which remained part of the United Kingdom. However, Great Britain retained military bases in Ireland and the right to receive “redemption” payments for the former possessions of English landlords. In 1937 the country adopted the official name "Eire".
In 1949 Ireland was declared an independent republic. The republic's withdrawal from the British Commonwealth was announced. It was only in the 60s that emigration from Ireland stopped and population growth was noted. In 1973, Ireland became a member of the European Union. In the 90s XX century Ireland entered a period of rapid economic growth.
Economy
The economic system of the Republic of Ireland is a modern, relatively small, trade-dependent economy that grew by averaged 10%. The agricultural sector, which once played a dominant role in the system, is now being replaced by the industrial sector; The industrial sector accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor force. While exports remain the main driver of Ireland's economic growth, growth is also supported by higher consumer spending and a recovery in both construction and business investment. The annual inflation rate for 2005 was 2.3%, down from recent levels of 4-5%. One of the problems of the economy is the inflation of real estate prices (the average price of a residential building in February 2005 was about 251 thousand euros). The unemployment rate is very low and household incomes are growing rapidly, along with prices for services (utilities, insurance, healthcare, lawyers, etc.).
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, was ranked 16th worldwide for cost of living in 2006 (up from 22nd in 2004 and 24th in 2003). There have been reports that Ireland has the second highest average per capita income of any EU country after Luxembourg, and ranks 4th in the world for this indicator.