Ireland is a single geographical entity - an island of the western coast of Europe. It is home to two political units; one an independent self-governing republic, Eire (pronounced “AIR-uh”), often called “the Republic”, to distinguish if from Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom with some elements of self-government.

Geography and climate

Set at the very edge of Europe, battered by the Atlantic but warned by the Gulf Stream, Ireland is tethered a few miles off the coasts of Wales, England, and Scotland. But in its shape – the smooth east coast and the straggling indented west coast – it seems to be reaching out across the Atlantic Ocean toward America, where so many of its sons and daughters now live. Not just Ireland’s position but the nature of the land itself has shaped the way of life of the people and their attitudes toward themselves and others. Ireland is famous for its greenness, and this greenness has become part of the Irish national identity: the national flag is green, white and orange; the sportsmen and women play in green; even the telephones boxes are green.

Ireland is a place of hills and planes, but above all it is a land of rivers and lakes; the Republic alone has 537 square miles (1,390 square kilometres) of water. Most people have heard of the beautiful Lakes of Killarney, but few realize Lough Neagh in Ulster is the largest lake in the British Isles. All this water is put to good use, being harnessed to generate enough hydroelectricity to provide many of Ireland’s citizens with power. For Ireland’s greenness comes from its climate which, to be honest, does involve a certain amount of rain. Even the driest parts around Dublin get 150 days of rain a year, and an annual total of 29,5 inches (75 cm) of rainfall. Bring your umbrellas and waterproof gear even in the sunniest months of May and June, but be prepared equally for beautiful sunny days in February or November. For the climate is surprisingly mild, milder than might be expected at such northern latitude thanks to the warm seas of the Gulf Stream that wash Ireland’s shores. The rain rarely turns to snow, and temperatures in the east range from about 39ºF (4ºC) in January to 68ºF (20ºC) in August.

Northern Ireland, which comprises only about a sixth of the island, contains about 30 percent of its population and is generally more industrialized, though mainly in the east, and it is easy to escape into areas of real peace. Its physical geography differs little from the rest of Ireland. You will sometimes hear the north called “ Ulster” through this is nit strictly correct – the old kingdom of Ulster also included three counties that are part of the Republic. The weather is no less rainy than that of the Republic and the winters are equally mild.

Irish society & People

The pattern of life in Ireland has come to resemble that of its neighbours. Superficially, it can be hard to tell an English, Scots, or Welsh person from someone from Ireland. People dress the same, speak the same language, have many of the same tastes as those in mainland Britain. This has not always been so and underneath the surface there are significant differences. Many of these differences are born out of historical experience. To understand the Irish you must be aware of the events that have shaped and still shape their thoughts and feelings. Ireland is a complex place where the apparent similarity to other Western countries can be misleading. A little trouble taken to learn its customs, etiquette, and traditions will be amply rewarded.

The English are famously ignorant of Irish history – if they had understood it a bit better their attitude might have been and might still be, different. On the other hand, the Irish are steeped in their history, both real and mythical. Their history and their religion have forged the national consciousness.
For nearly eight hundred years England ruled Ireland. For much of that time effective English government could only be imposed within fifty miles of Dublin, the so-called Pale of Dublin – those outside English control being considered barbarians and so “beyond the Pale”. But at other times, English rule extended throughout the island and was often harsh, repressive, and bitterly resented.

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Irishness

Richard Stan Hurst’s “Description of Ireland” forms part of Holinshed’s Chronicles, published in 1578.

“The people are thus inclined: religious, frank, amorous, ireful, sufferable of infinite pains, very vainglorious, many sorcerers, excellent horsemen, delighted with wars, great almsgivers, surpassing in hospitality. The lewder sort are sensual and loose in living. The same being virtuously bred up of reformed, are such mirrors of holiness and austerity that other nations retain but a shadow in comparison of them…Greedy of praise they be and fearful of dishonour.” Certainly the Irish are religious, love horses, and reckon they are more capable of hard physical labour than anyone else. The Irish country people are wonderfully hospitable, and the Irish as a whole give more charity per head than any nation in Europe.

The above extract is kindly provided by Culture Smart! the essential guide to customs & culture. The 168-page guide retails at £6.95 + P&P and is available directly from Kuperard, the publishers of Culture Smart! guides.

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