Ireland

Located on the north-western tip of Europe, Ireland is Europe’s third-largest island. The country is split into two: Northern Ireland with Belfast as its capital is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland in the south has Dublin as its capital. Ireland is steeped in ancient myths and legends, for example the Giant’s Causeway, an area of interlocking basalt columns on the coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It is said to have been the work of giant Finn MacCool, who built it as a path to a rival giant who lived in Scotland, but is actually the result of an ancient volcanic activity. Ireland is also a country of contrast, with beautiful, soft, lush-green countryside, striking lunar landscapes, labyrinthine caves, crystal-clear lakes and the sometimes tempestuous Atlantic Ocean, which has created the coast’s golden sands and rugged rocky outcrops. Ireland is steeped in history dating back to 6000 BC; from the invasions by Neolithic tribes to the Troubles of more recent times and the great Diaspora, which is thought to have driven over 80 million Irish people to all corners of the globe. The Irish have a well-deserved reputation for being warm-hearted and welcoming, eager to let you into the secrets of their homeland. A people with a passion for music and dance as well as talking – a bit of blarney –especially over a glass of Guinness!