|
Tools |
|
|
|
|
|
User Login |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TBT Book Recommends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General information [add image]
The Republic of Ireland lies to the west of Great Britain, the largest island in the archipelago. It is separated from Great Britain to the east by the North Channel and the Irish Sea, and to the southeast by Saint George’s Channel. The western and southern shores of Ireland meet the North Atlantic Ocean. Ireland’s only land border is with Northern Ireland, a province of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to the northeast.
Ireland’s vivid green landscapes have earned it the title Emerald Isle. Traditionally, most Irish people made their living farming the land. Since the 1950s, energetic industrialization policies have promoted manufacturing, which, along with services, now dominates Ireland’s economy. In 1973 Ireland was admitted into the European Community (EC), and it is now a member of the European Union (EU). Since the 1960s Ireland has undergone a period of vigorous economic growth and rapid social change.
Between the 12th and 17th centuries, England gradually extended its control over Ireland. Ireland became an integral part of the United Kingdom by the Act of Union of 1800. In the 1840s the Irish potato crop, a staple food, was destroyed by disease, leading to a great famine that killed nearly 1 million people and forced many others to leave their homeland. During the late 19th century a movement for Irish independence gathered momentum, and after a bitter war the United Kingdom agreed to partition the island. In 1921 the northeastern portion of Ireland became Northern Ireland, a province of the United Kingdom. The remainder of Ireland became self-governing in 1922 with the establishment of the Irish Free State, a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1937 the Free State’s name changed to Éire (pronounced AIR-uh, a Gaelic word for Ireland) after the adoption of a new constitution by popular vote. In 1949, following passage of the Republic of Ireland Act, Ireland severed its links to the British Commonwealth and declared itself a republic. Today, the country is commonly referred to as the Republic of Ireland to set it apart from Northern Ireland. Ireland has sought to promote the eventual reunification of the island of Ireland.
Climate
Ireland enjoys a temperate maritime climate, due mainly to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream. Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is so green because it receives a lot of precipitation.
Typical winter weather in Ireland is clouds and rain with the occasional sunny spell. The mountains may have snow on them for many weeks in winter, but falls on the lower ground on only a few days a year, and is generally not a feature of the Irish climate. Temperatures hover around a January average of 5ºC. Overnight temperatures often drop below freezing point, and ice and frosts are common. Each winter there are a few weeks when the temperature does not rise above freezing point all day, and rivers and lakes can partially freeze over.
Typically, summers in Ireland have warm, sunny weather and a sky dotted with gentle fluffy clouds. Light rain occasionally occurs on days like these, but summer rain is usually restricted to a few wet days. In July and August, the conditions can bcome very humid and thunder storms can occur with lightning. The average July temperature is around 15ºC, although temperatures in excess of 30ºC are not unheard of.
Areas close to the coast rarely have a large difference between summer and winter conditions, and Ireland is no exception. With an average 10ºC difference between January and July, the weather is much more consistent than continental areas of the world. This consistency is due to the moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean, which absorbs heat in summer and gives it out in winter.
Across Ireland, the local climate differs from place to place. The wettest weather always occurs in mountains and those areas to the east of the mountains - the direction of the prevailing wind. The classic examples are Kerry, Galway and Donegal. The dryest weather occurs east of areas where there are few mountains, such as the east coast. Counties Dublin and Kildare enjoy the driest weather. It must be borne in mind, however, that the difference in rainfall does not have a great effect on the type of vegetation, as it is the frequency of the rain that is more important than the total quantity.
In terms of temperature, it is again the south that enjoys the warmest weather. While the north coast is cooler than the south, the coolest areas are the inland areas which are away from the warm waters of the ocean.
The prevailing winds are from the southwest - the direction of the Gulf Stream which brings temperate conditions, in the form of Low-pressure Depressions, to what would otherwise be a much colder latitude - 20º colder, in fact. Occasionally there is a "blast from the north", bringing very cold weather from the Arctic, characterised by icy winds, snow and frost. When Ireland receives wind from the east - not particularly common - there is hot, dry weather (summer) or cold, dry weather (winter). This east wind has its origins over central Russia where there is little moisture. (southtravels.com)
Download text to your iPod
Pick a City
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ireland |
|
Native Name: Éire
Capital: Dublin
Population: 3,900,000
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Phone Perfix: +353
Voltage: 230 V, 50 Hz
Emergency: Police, Ambulance and Fire: 999
Official Site: External Site
Vaccination: None required
Abb.:
DT = Diptheria (10yr+)
P = Polio (10yr+)
MP = Malaria Prophylaxis
|
|
| |
|
Inter Rail Zone Map |
|
|
Click to enlarge
|
|
|
|
National Rail Service |
|
|
Operated by: CIE
Rail Length: 3,312 km
Information:
Web Page:
▪ Irish Rail
|
|
|
