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Ireland

✨ The Emerald Isle and legends of leprechauns

Ireland is a country in northwestern Europe that occupies most of the island of Ireland. It shares a land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Irish Sea to the east. Its capital, Dublin, lies on the east coast.

Much of Ireland has gently rolling land, with lowlands in the centre and higher ground mainly around the edges of the island. The climate is oceanic and strongly influenced by the Atlantic: temperatures are generally moderate, rainfall is frequent, and winters are often mild for the latitude.

The state covers about 70,000 square kilometres and had 5.15 million inhabitants in the 2022 census. Ireland's landscape has been shaped by rivers, glaciers and erosion. The River Shannon is the country's longest river and crosses the central lowlands before reaching the Atlantic. Peatlands and lakes are widespread, while mountain ranges occur mainly in the south, west and northwest.

Carrauntoohil, in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks in County Kerry, is the highest point at 1,039 metres. Ireland has a long, irregular coastline with cliffs, bays, beaches and islands. Its mild, wet climate supports grasslands and farming, especially cattle and sheep. Blanket bogs are also characteristic habitats, important for storing carbon and supporting plants and animals adapted to wet conditions.

💡 Did you know?

Have you ever heard of leprechauns? They are small goblins dressed all in green with a big hat. According to Irish legend, they spend their time making shoes and hiding a cauldron full of gold! If you manage to catch one, he must reveal his hiding place, but beware: they are very clever and always find a way to escape. It is said that their treasure is located where the rainbow touches the ground!

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world! Imagine a giant black rock wall coming straight out of the ocean and rising up to 214 meters high. They are so impressive that they have served as the setting for many films, such as Harry Potter or The Princess Bride. Thousands of seabirds live there and sing to the rhythm of the waves hitting the coast.

Did you know that Halloween was born in Ireland? Over 2,000 years ago, the Celts celebrated 'Samhain', the end of summer and the beginning of the new year. They believed that on that evening, spirits could visit our world. To protect themselves, they lit large fires and wore scary masks so that ghosts would leave them alone. Irish emigrants then brought this tradition to the United States, and it became the Halloween we celebrate today!