welcome to Ireland
Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, to the northwest of continental Europe and separated from
Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Dynamic, vibrant, prosperous and thoroughly forward-looking, Ireland is
a country on the move. Economically, Ireland is one of the fastest growing nations in Europe, with a
workforce that is skilled, flexible and highly educated. The country had the sixth highest gross domestic
product (GDP) per capita in the world by 2006 and is currently a member of the EU, the OECD, and the
United Nations. It has a multinational population of approximately 4.5 million people, with 1.5 million
in the greater Dublin area.
Overall Ireland has a mild, but changeable climate all year which is influenced by the relatively warm
waters from the Gulf Stream. Temperatures range from average highs of 200C in summer months to average
lows of 30C in winter. The Irish people are known around the world for their friendliness and hospitality.
Visitors are warmly welcomed and find it very easy to integrate and settle into life in Ireland. In a
study conducted by The Economist, Ireland was listed as having the highest quality of life in the world,
ranking first in its Quality-of-life index.
Traditional Irish music and dancing continue to be an intrinsic part of cultural life in Ireland and
can be experienced throughout Ireland all year round. National sports include gaelic football and hurling
and there are many sports clubs organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in every area. Other
popular sports throughout the country are Rugby, Soccer and Golf.
