The distant northern country of Ireland is one of those countries that you should not judge by the covers of magazines and postcards. Its landscapes, laconic and majestic in their simplicity, lonely ancient castles, desert expanses and foamy coast look much brighter and livelier in reality, conveying this unique Irish spirit of freedom and harmony. The country is rich in cultural attractions, beer production and nature. Combined with European quality and comfort, Ireland is the perfect place for a relaxing and thoughtful holiday.
Geography of Ireland
According to collegesanduniversitiesinusa, the Republic of Ireland occupies the main part (70.2 thousand km²) of the island of the same name, in its northern part it borders on Great Britain (360 km of the land border). In the east, the country is washed by the Irish Sea, the North Channel and the Strait of St. George, the rest of Ireland is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point in the country is Mount Carantuill, its height is 1041 meters.
Capital
Dublin
Area
The area of Ireland is 70,273 km. sq., occupies the 117th place in the world by area.
Population
4 581 269
Currency
The national currency is the euro (EUR).
Language
Official language – Irish and English
Visa to Ireland
To enter Ireland, Russian citizens will require a visa, and, which is rare for European countries, not a Schengen one. You can apply for a visa to Ireland at the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow. When considering applications, the emphasis is on confirming the financial well-being of the tourist, as well as on the validity of his passport (it must be at least 6 months from the end of the trip). All documents must be translated into English, it is not required to certify the translation. It will take from 5 to 30 working days to issue a visa, its validity will be 90 days, and the cost is 25 for a transit visa, 60 euros for a single entry and 100 euros for a multiple one. Please note that if you have a UK visa, you do not need to apply for an Irish visa.
Weather in Ireland
Ireland has a temperate maritime climate, warm enough with high humidity. Such a climate is characterized by a sharp change in weather conditions during the day, among the locals there is a saying that in Ireland 4 seasons succeed each other in 24 hours. Precipitation falls unevenly throughout the country, sometimes in the form of strong short-term showers. Summer in Ireland is quite cool, the average temperature in July is only 18°C-20°C, but the winters are mild and snowless, in January it is only 7°C-9°C. The most pleasant tourist season in Ireland is the period from early July to late August. In June and September, the weather is also quite pleasant, and the flow of tourists is noticeably weakening.
Currency exchange in Ireland
Ireland is quite developed, like any other European country. You can exchange currency here in any city by contacting a bank, hotel or exchange office. Banks operating from 10:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday usually offer the best rate. You can cash out an international bank card at one of the many ATMs throughout the day. Traveler’s checks are also accepted in all banks without exception. If you plan to cash out Eurocheques, make sure you have an appropriate plastic card.
Electricity
Voltage 230V, 50Hz. There are two types of sockets: European type F and type D with one thick and two thin round pins. You may need an adapter. Buying it is not difficult, you can find an adapter in supermarkets, electrical stores and airport kiosks. Some hotels offer adapters for rent for a nominal fee.
Religion
The main religion of Ireland is Christianity. 86.8% of the local population are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church.
Security
The general level of security in Ireland, as in all of Europe, is very high, but this does not mean that standard precautions should be neglected, including not carrying large sums of money with you and keeping valuables in a safe.
Health
Health care is highly developed in Ireland, no preventive vaccinations are needed. It is recommended to take out medical insurance before the trip, since treatment in the country, although of high quality, is extremely expensive.