About Ireland

 

Studying English in Ireland:

The English language teaching industry in Ireland is regulated by the Department of Education and Science through the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS).


Edgewater College is approved by ACELS. We are also members of Marketing English
in Ireland/Recognised English Language Schools Association (MEI~Relsa).

 

 

Travelling around Ireland:

Flying is not really necessary in Ireland because it is so small, but there are flights between main cities such as Dublin and Belfast, Cork, Galway and Shannon.


We would suggest that one of the best ways to travel around Ireland is by car. As most major cities, Dublin is congested, and some rural roads are poor, but on the whole driving in Ireland is pleasurable – but remember to stay on the left! Renting a car in Ireland can be quite expensive, so it is advisable to organise car hire in your own country. If you don’t have an EU driving license, you’ll need an International Driving Permit, available from motoring organisations before leaving your country.


A large number of visitors also explore Ireland by bicycle, and there are many roads throughout the country suitable for bike travel. There are bike hire firms in major towns and cities and many offer rentals of all-terrain mountain bikes or trekking bikes at around €70 per week.

 

 

Republic of Ireland Facts:

  • Population:  4,156,119 (July 2008 est.)
  • Age Structure: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 448,333/female 418,476)
    15-64 years: 67.3% (male 1,400,222/female 1,398,194)
    65 years and over: 11.8% (male 218,459/female 272,435) (2008 est.)
  • Religions: Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census)

 

Economic Overview

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging 6% in 1995-2007. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the exports sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction has most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property prices have risen more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP is 40% above that of the four big European economies and the second highest in the EU behind Luxembourg, and in 2007 surpassed that of the United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. A slowdown in the property market, more intense global competition, and increased costs, however, have compelled government economists to lower Ireland's growth forecast slightly for 2008. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations.

 

 

A summary of Irish History:

Between 600-150 B.C. Celtic tribes arrived on what is today known as Ireland. Norsemen began to invade in the late 8th century, but this came to an end when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014.


In the 12th century, the English began to invade and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle, marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The failed “1916 Easter Monday Rebellion” resulted in many years of guerrilla warfare. Finally, in 1921 Ireland gained independence from the UK for 26 southern counties, which are today known as “the Republic of Ireland”. Six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK, today these counties are known as “Northern Ireland”.
The Republic of Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth in 1948 and joined the European Community in 1973.

 

 

A summary of Irish Geography:

  • Located in Western Europe, Ireland occupies five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain.
  • Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
  • Map references: Europe
  • Total Area: 70,280 sq km
  • Land Area: 68,890 sq km
  • Water Area: 1,390 sq km
  • Land boundaries: total: 360 km
  • Border countries: UK 360 km
  • Coastline: 1,448 km
  • Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm / exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m / Highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m
  • Strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe.

 

Ireland's Climate:

Ireland has a temperate maritime climate, due mainly to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream. Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is so green because it receives a lot of rain.


Winters are mild, summers cool, and the country is consistently humid.
Ireland is overcast about half the time.
Rain is more frequent in the west, while the south-east portion of the country generally gets more sunshine.

 

 

Ireland's Terrain:

Mostly level to rolling interior plain, surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains. Sea cliffs ring the west coast.

 

 

Ireland's Natural Resources:

Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite.