Ireland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean at the very edge of Western Europe, with the Irish sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It stretches 500 km north to south and 300 km east to west. Much of Ireland's elevated ground is close to the coast, and almost the entire Atlantic seaboard, from Cork to Donegal, is a bulwark of cliffs, hills and mountains.

Ireland is the ancestral homeland of some 70 million emigrants and their descendants in all parts of the world. Today Ireland is experiencing an economic boom and many Irish citizens are returning home.

English is the predominant language in Ireland; however, the Irish language is taught and spoken throughout the country.

Dublin is Ireland’s capital city- founded by the Vikings over 1000 years ago. Today, Dublin is a growing city with a thriving social scene. One quarter of Ireland’s population is under 25 years of age and Dublin acts as a magnet for young people looking for jobs and education.

Ireland is rich in history. Megalithic tombs such as Newgrange, just north of Dublin, are older than the Egyptian Pyramids. The Romans did not influence Ireland as they did other European cultures, because they did not cross the Irish Sea. The Celtic culture was therefore preserved longer than other Western European cultures. The Normans invaded in the 12th century and thus Ireland came under English rule. Ireland gained freedom from colonisation in 1921 for 26 of its 32 counties and became a Republic in 1949. The remaining 6 counties form Northern Ireland, an area politically governed by Britain.

Politics and Administration

Ireland is a Republic, with a parliamentary democratic form of government. The Head of State is President Mary McAleese, elected for a 7 year term in 1997. The Head of Government is Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. There is a 166 member Chamber of Deputies (Dáil) elected for 5 years by proportional representation, and a 60 member Senate (Seanad) elected for 5 years: 11 appointed by the Taoiseach, 6 elected by universities and 43 elected on a vocational basis.

The Weather

Despite its northern latitude, Ireland's climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The temperature rarely drops below freezing during the winter, therefore snow is scarce. However, because of wind and rain and the ensuing dampness, the climate can seem harsh. Summers are not hot, rarely hitting 30° C but they are comfortable (temperatures range from 16-24° C). Whatever the time of year, be prepared for rain because Ireland is wet. The heaviest rain usually falls where the scenery is best, such as around Kerry, Galway and Donegal, which can be drizzle-bound on as many as 270 days of the year. The weather varies a lot so you can have sun and showers repeatedly in one day.

Culture

Ireland has a rich cultural heritage. It possesses ancient gold, silver and stone artefacts, and ancient manuscripts such as the renowned Book of Kells. Many national treasures can be viewed in museums throughout Ireland.

Many world famous writers and musicians come from Ireland. Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Dermot Bolger, Roddy Doyle, Maeve Binchy are just some of the many literary figures hailing from Ireland. Ireland has also made a huge contribution in contemporary and folk music around the world. Van Morrison, U2, Enya, Hot House Flowers, Sinead O’Connor and The Chieftains are but some of the well known musical artists who call Ireland their home. Dublin is also home to numerous theatres as well as many film and theatre festivals.

Living Expenses

Ireland is expensive and accommodation costs are quite high. Added extras to watch out for include the Irish practice of buying a round of drinks or pints of Guinness. Average weekly costs vary depending on the type of accommodation preferred and on the personal level of expenditure. However, a student can count on needing at least €120 for miscellaneous expenditure per week.