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Ireland
Relevant information about Ireland.
At the moment we think of a trip to Ireland, it is probably that we also think of picturesque villages, green miles of countryside, and folk friendly music. Well, Ireland is so much more than that. Actually, this spot has some of the most beautiful landscapes, and a strong history that is worthy to be told and to be learned.
In Ireland the population is estimated to be 6.2 million. Ireland is an island that at the same time is a combination of two countries: In the Republic of Ireland the capital city is Dublin. The population had risen rapidly since the 16th century until the middle 19th century. But a famine in the 1840s caused one million deaths, and another one million was forced emigrate. But then the trend in the European countries was to have increasing populations. People have lived in Ireland for at least 9.000 years, but very little is known about the first inhabitants of the island. Over the past 1.000 years, communities such as the Vikings, Normans, Scots and the English have all been part of the indigenous population. The history of Ireland has been marked by several episodes related to religion. The largest religious group in the island is Christianity. The Roman Catholicism represents over 73% for the island. Most of the rest of the population is part of one of the various Protestant denominations. The largest group of the Protestants is the Anglican Church of Ireland. The Muslim community is also growing in Ireland, boosted by an increasing immigration. And there is a small Jewish community, as well. The culture of Ireland is a mix of other cultures such as the Gaelic culture, Celtic culture, and in recent year the American culture. Nowadays, is very common to associate Ireland with a strong Celtic culture, which is reflected through music and pieces of art. And the Irish people have made a huge contribution to literature. Actually, poetry in Irish is the oldest vernacular poetry in the European continent. Some of the most reknowned authors are Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde. And in more contemporary years, Ireland had four Nobel Prize winners such as George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. One of the most populars aspects of the Irish culture, worldwide, is its music and dance. Besides the music of ancient times, during the last decades there has been a new interest for Irish music and dance, boosted by the American folk music movement. Among the most recognized Irish artists of all times are The Chieftains, Emmet Spiceland, The Wolfe Tones, the Clancy Brothers, Sweeney's Men, Horslips, Van Morrison; and contemporary such as Enya, The Saw Doctors, The Corrs, Sinéad O'Connor, and The Cranberries. In the science field, Irish have also stand out. Some of the most reknowned intellectual are Johannes Scotus Eriugena, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, Robert Boyle, John Tyndall, Nicholas Joseph Callan, Ernest Walton, Sir John Douglas Cockcroft, William Thomson, George Johnstone Stoney, John Stewart Bell, Sir William Rowan Hamilton, Francis Ysidro Edgeworth, John B. Cosgrave, John Lighton Synge. Undoubtely, food and drink is a strong attraction of the culture of Ireland. The environmente is a great influence for the creation of food and drink. Between the most common motivators of the Irish farms are potatoes and cattles. Some of the national dishes are the Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, a type of potato pancake, or colcannon, a dish of mashed potatoes and kale or cabbage. And as in many other parts of the world, new trends in the local cuisine have started, such as the incorporation fresh vegetables, fish and shellfish, soda breads and a lot of types of hand-made cheeses, lobster cooked in whiskey and cream, and sausage. In relation to drinks, Irish whiskey is one of the most prestigious in the world.
Some strong aspects of the economy of Ireland are the local ports. The international airports: Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport, Cork Airport, Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport . All provide services to Britain and continental Europe, while Belfast International, Dublin and Shannon also offer transatlantic services. The power networks boost the local economy. However, in recent years, there have been recent efforts to use renewable energy such as wind power. Large wind farms are being constructed in coastal counties such as Donegal, Mayo and Antrim. In fact, a huge project is being built currently: the world's largest offshore wind farm is being developed at the Arklow Bank Wind Park off the coast of County Wicklow. Actually, it is predicted that the Arklow wind farm will generate 10% of Ireland's power needs when it is complete. The construction of wind farms has in some cases been delayed by opposition from local communities, who consider that the wind turbines are unsightly.
There are numerous beautiful sites to visit in Ireland. Dublin City is one of the most important ones. It is a small city, which can be easily known by bus. It has a very rich history, which can be learn through visits to museums. Trinity College and Library is one of the perfect stops. These are impressive buildings that were built during the renovation phase of 1759. It has more than one million books and historic manuscripts. The National Museums are also worthy to visit. The National Museum of Archaeology and History is dedicated to prehistoric and medieval Ireland, while the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History owns an amazing collection. The Saint Patrick's Cathedral is the largest church of Ireland. It was founded in 1191 by Archbishop Comyn, and its neo-gothic style can still be admired by tourists in the remaining old parts. For lovers of art, the National Gallery cannot be missed. It is situated in the center of Dublin. It is home of more than 500 works of art- among them Monet, Degas, El Greco, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Poussin, Velasquez, Goya, Picasso, Titian, Caravaggio, Brueghel, Vermeer and Rubens. And a great attraction for the ones who love beer is the Guinness Storehouse. It is based at historic St James's Gate, where exhibitions take place, showing the brewing process, the Guinness transportation system and a pipeline. Of course, taking a pint of the beverage will be unavoidable. The bohemian spirit of Ireland lives with strength in Temple Bar. Around there, tourists will find street artists and will have the chance to taste international cuisine and local cuisine. The bustling pubs will also be a great invitation to have a good time and some drinks. Another beautiful site, full of history, and surrounding by a valley, is Glendalough. The lakes around are also an interesting attraction to tourists, who would certainly enjoy walks around. The St Kevin's Kitchen, has amazing ruins of a church and cathedral to admire. For great lovers of history, Brú na Boinne is a spot full of a historic landscape on the banks of the Boyne river, surrounded by prehistoric monuments. The biggest monuments are Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth. Newgrange and Knowth. Hills in Ireland are also of spectacular beauty. Among them, the Hill of Tara stands out. The green color plays the main role on this spot, giving life to every corner and inviting tourists to enjoy it.
More than ever, Ireland counts with high tech medical procedures, as well as excellent trained professionals. One of the most recognized medical tourism institutions in Ireland is Healing Centre, in the city of Dublin. It has subsidiaries in Glasnevin and Blanchardstown. Among the most popular procedures in Ireland are cosmetic surgery and dental treatments. In general, this institution and other hospitals and clinics in Ireland offer a wide range of services including cardiology, pathology, pulmonary, and physiotherapy. The Joint Commission International has accredited 16 hospitals and clinics in this country, which are mostly located in Dublin and Waterford. There are also clinics in Galway, Tralee, Sandyford, Kilkenny and Cork.
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