Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is a state in Europe occupying about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, located in the eastern part of the island.

The national flag of Ireland, frequently referred to as the Irish tricolour, is a vertical tricolour of green, white, and orange.

The coat of arms of Ireland has got a gold harp with silver strings on a blue background.

Ireland joined the European Union in 1973.

Besides that, this country belongs to the eurozone.

DUBLIN

Dublin is the capital of Ireland. Dublin is in the province of Leinster on Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey.

The name Dublin comes from the Irish name Dubhlinn or Duibhlinn, meaning "black pool".

LANDSCAPES

The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of County Clare. They rise 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean and reach their maximum height of 214 metres. The cliffs rank are amongst the top visited tourist sites in Ireland, and receive almost one million visitors a year.

Donegal Bay is Ireland's largest bay. The town of Donegal and the River Eske lie at the head of the bay.

CASTLES

Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195. The gardens and parkland around the castle are open to the public.

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago.

The Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, is at the top of the Tower. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words.

SPORTSGaelic football and hurling are the traditional (and most popular) sports of Ireland.

LITERATURE

Ireland has made a significant contribution to world literature

Jonathan Swift wrote Gulliver´s travels in1726.

James Joyce published his most famous work Ulysses in 1922, which is aninterpretation of the Odyssey set in Dublin.

Bram Stoker is best known as the author of the 1897 novel Dracula.