GEOGRAPHY and DEMOGRAPHICS

Ireland lies of the coast of the North West of Europe.

Geographic Co-ordinates : 53 00 N, 8 00 W

Area : 84,412 sq km (32,591 sq miles)

Coastline : 3,700 km (2,300 sq miles)

Population : 4,109,086 (ROI) 1,872,362 (N.I.)

Currency: Euro (ROI).   Sterling (N.I.)

Highest point : Carrauntoohil, County Kerry, 3,414 ft (1,041mt)

Climate : Temperate ocean climate; mild winters and cool summers; high precipitation and mainly overcast.

Religions : Roman Catholic 73 %, balance mainly Protestant (mostly located in Northern Ireland).

Geographic regions :  The island of Ireland is divided into four provinces, Leinster, Munster, Connaught and Ulster, which in total constitute 32 counties.

Connacht : Connacht is located in the West of Ireland and covers a total area of 17,713 square kilometres. It encompasses 5 counties: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo.

Leinster : Leinster is a region in the East of Ireland which has a land area of 19,774 square kilometres. It has 12 counties, more than any other province. These are Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath,Wexford, Wicklow.

Munster : Munster is the province of the South of Ireland and covers 24,607 square kilometres. There are 6 counties in Munster:Clare, Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford.

Ulster : Ulster is located in the North of Ireland and covers 24,481 square kilometres. It encompasses 9 counties (three of which are part of the Republic of Ireland): Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Tyrone.