Driving in Ireland: Advice & Tips
The Republic of Ireland has a speed limit on the motorways of 120 kmph, 100 kmph on open roads, and 50 kmph in towns. Direction signs for motorways ar...
Find out more about driving in Ireland
Other places to visit in Ireland
Planning a trip to Ireland can be a daunting task. How do you decide what to do? Start with Dublin, the nation’s capital, with its many museums, churc...
Popular tourist destinations to visit in Ireland
History of Ireland
Ireland has been inhabited for about 10,000 years, its first residents being Stone Age farmers. These people became the Celtic tribes who ruled the entire island for millennia. As Ireland is one of the few European countries not touched by the expansion of the Roman Empire, its written history does not begin until around 400 A.D., when Christian monks visited the island. For several hundred years, tribal and church politics dominated the country. In the 9th century, Viking incursions began, and in the 12th century, Normans also invaded the country.
As the Normans established a foothold in both Britain and Ireland, the country’s history became intertwined with that of Great Britain. Until Ireland became independent in 1922, there were several centuries of colonization and conquest, as well as subjugation of the Roman Catholic population. Even today, the island of Ireland is split into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which remains part of the United Kingdom. Fortunately, “the troubles” are largely over, and the country today is a hub of high-tech industry and a wellspring of arts and literature. If you hire a car in Ireland check out the monuments to the country’s turbulent history, many of which have remained virtually untouched for centuries and even millennia.
The geography of Ireland
Ireland is an island situated in northwest Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its main geographical features include low central plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains. In the heart of the country is a lowland area built on limestone. Numerous hills break the monotony of the lowland that rises westward towards the coast in County Clare where it terminates in the cliffs of Moher, regarded as one of the finest lines of cliff scenery in Western Europe. Ireland is bisected by the River Shannon, which is also the longest river in Ireland. A number of sizeable lakes can also be found along Ireland's rivers, of which Lough Neagh is the largest. Look for a cheap car hire in Ireland and explore its beautiful and varied geographical landscape.
Weather in Ireland
In Ireland, visitors get accustomed to rain, which is likely to occur every second day. There are no major temperature differences between the seasons and on the whole, the Irish weather is pretty much manageable. To save yourself from the frequent rains which might dampen your travel plans, hire a car in Ireland. Temperatures in this country will rarely go below 32°F and only occasionally above 68°F. The warmest months are June, July and August while January and February are the coldest. Rare freezing spells that the country sometimes experiences tend to bring the country to a grinding halt and even a sprinkling of snow will have most drivers panicking. When planning an Irish vacation, the secret of coping with the Irish weather lies in taking the correct clothing. Prepare for moderately mild weather at all time and do not forget to your rain gear. July and August are the traditional holiday months in Ireland and the country sees a high influx of tourists at this time. Resorts are crowded and noisy. At the same time, this is the only sensible time to enjoy a swim in the ocean. Outdoor fun is only for the brave from mid-November to February.