Located on the North Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and home to 4.7 million people. From St. Patrick’s Day to Guinness beer to rugby to the color green, Ireland is a popular tourist destination and is visited by millions of people each year. In 2014 alone, more than seven million people made the trip to the Emerald Isle.
While Ireland is well known as the birthplace of U2 and is known for numerous pubs and Celtic ballads and shamrocks, the country is home to so much more.
If a tour of Ireland is in your future, some basic facts about the Emerald Isle can familiarize you with the country as you tour and visit some of the country’s popular destinations.
- As of 2011, more than 4.5 million people live in Ireland and the country’s population ranked 119th in the world.
- Catholicism is Ireland’s dominant religion at 84 percent.
- Ireland is the third biggest island in Europe and has more than 3,000 miles of coastline.
- The largest city in Ireland is Dublin, which has a population of nearly 500,000.
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The tourist possibilities for visitors to Ireland are endless and the country is home to a wide array of scenic views and historic sites. Some of the most popular destinations in Ireland include:
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry goes for more than 100 miles in southwestern Ireland and features scenic mountains and meadows. The Ring also features Kerry Way, the oldest and longest walking route in Europe.
Skellig Islands
Away from the tourist trail of the Ring of Kerry, the Skellig Islands are composed of two islands—Little Skellig and Skellig Michael. These two islands are home to many species of birds and are also home to a 6th century monastic complex.
Glenveagh National Park
Gleneagh National Park is the second biggest national park in Ireland and sees many hikers and fisherman visit from all around. Aside from seeing many kinds of wildlife, visitors can also take in breathtaking mountaintop views.
Trinity College in Dublin
Trinity College was founded in 1592 and many workers in Dublin often visit on their lunch breaks. Trinity College is a trip unto itself and is famed for the Book of Kells and the Long Room.
With more than 32,000 square miles of land area, there’s no one correct way to explore Ireland and visitors can take guided tours or explore on their own. From historic tours to pub crawls to Irish castle tours to scenic hikes and drives, the only limit to enjoyment while exploring Ireland is the imagination.
Ireland is one of Europe’s biggest islands and is home to more than 4 million people. As a country with rich history and plenty of tourist attractions, Ireland offers something for everyone and undoubtedly leaves an impression on residents and tourists alike.
Ready to explore the Emerald Isle for yourself?
My Ireland Tour can help you get started on your journey for a vacation package, luxury tour or self-guided tour and CIE Tours International can also provide some useful information on tours of Ireland.
