LocationEurope, off the west coast of Great Britain.
Area70,182 sq km (27,097 sq miles).
Population4 million (UN, 2004).
Population Density56.9 per sq km.
CapitalDublin.
Population: 1 million.
GovernmentRepublic.
LanguageIrish (Gaelic) is the official language, spoken as a first language by about 55,000 people (mostly in the west). The majority speak English. Official documents are printed in both languages.
ReligionRoman Catholic 91.6%, the remainder being
Protestant, with Jewish and Islamic minorities.
TimeGMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are in use.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Bertie Ahern since 1997.
Head of StatePresident Mary McAleese since 1997.
TelephoneCountry code: 353 followed by the area code, omitting the initial zero.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with a wide range of international mobile phone carriers. Coverage is good.
InternetInternet is readily available; Internet cafes exist in nearly every town.
MediaThe national public broadcaster
Radio Telefis Eireann (
RTE) dominates the radio and TV sector. It provides a comprehensive service in both English and Irish. The Irish print and broadcast media operate freely within the confines of the law. Broadcasting is regulated by a commission appointed by the Department of Communications. The Competition Authority safeguards against unfair competition in the press sector. Cross-media ownership is permitted within certain limits - press groups may own up to 25% of local radio and TV stations.
PostThe Central Post Office is in O’Connell Street, Dublin.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730/1800, Sat 0900-1300. Sub-post offices close at 1300 one day a week.
Press• There are several daily newspapers published in Dublin including
Evening Herald, the
Irish Independent (website:
www.unison.ie/irish_independent) and
The Irish Times (website:
www.ireland.com).
• Two in Cork:
Evening Echo and
Irish Examiner (website:
www.irishexaminer.com).
• British dailies and Sunday papers are available.
Radio• Radio RTE is a public broadcaster and operates four networks, including the flagship station
Radio 1, a pop music station.
•
Raidio na Gaeltachta operates an Irish-language station.
•
Lyric FM is a classical and cultural station.
• Today FM is the national commercial network.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
17 Mar St Patrick’s Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
7 May Bank Holiday.
4 Jun Bank Holiday.
6 Aug Bank Holiday.
29 Aug Bank Holiday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen’s Day.
20081 Jan New Year’s Day.
17 Mar St Patrick’s Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
5 May Bank Holiday.
2 Jun Bank Holiday.
4 Aug Bank Holiday.
27 Aug Bank Holiday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen’s Day.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in the UK17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 2171.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300, 1415-1700.
Passport and visa office:
Montpelier House, 106 Brompton Road, London SW3 1JJ, UK
Tel: 0906 661 0197.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1200 (visa section); 0930-1630 (passport section).
Tourism Ireland in the UKNations House, 103 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1QS, UK
Tel: (0800) 039 7000 (travel enquiries)
or (020) 7518 0800 (trade enquiries).
Website:
www.tourismireland.com Embassy of Ireland in the USA2234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 462 3939.
Website:
www.irelandemb.orgTourism Ireland in the USA345 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10154, USA
Tel: (212) 418 0800 (general enquiries)
or 1
800 223 6470 (brochure request line)
or 669 9967 ( for travel trade in USA and Canada).
Website:
www.tourismireland.com
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