Country Guide Ireland| Ireland Education | Study Abroad Ireland

Ireland Life and Culture

The culture of Ireland refers to the idiosyncratic cultural norms of Ireland and the Irish people. The culture of the people living in the island of Ireland is far from monolithic, due to various plantations down through the centuries. Notable cultural divides exist between urban Irish and rural Irish, between the Catholic and Protestant people of Northern Ireland, between the Irish-speaking people inside and outside the Gaeltacht regions and the English-speaking majority population, increasingly between new immigrants and the native population, and most strikingly, the traveller population and the settled population throughout the island. Halloween is a traditional and much celebrated holiday in Ireland on the night of Oct 31. The primary religion in the Republic of Ireland is Christianity. Irish Christianity is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, prior to the arrival of Christianity, Celtic polytheism was the dominant religion of the nation. Pub culture, as it is termed, pervades Irish society, across all cultural divides. The term refers to the Irish habit of frequenting public houses (pubs) or bars.

Sport in Ireland is popular and widespread. Throughout the country, a wide variety of sports are played, the most popular being Gaelic football, hurling, rugby union, soccer and hockey. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland in terms of match attendance and community involvement, and represents 34% of total sports attendances at events in Ireland and abroad, followed by hurling at 23%, soccer at 16% and rugby at 8% and the All-Ireland Football Final is the most watched event in Ireland's sporting calendar. Swimming, golf, aerobics, soccer, cycling, Gaelic football and billiards/snooker are the sporting activities with the highest levels of playing participation. Soccer is the most popular sport involving national teams.

Ireland Education

Ireland is a dynamic, lively, modern country with a young population and a successful, technologically orientated economy but it remains a country where music, conversation, culture, traditions, time to relax, listen and make friends have its own importance. It is a country with cultured, cosmopolitan cities renowned for its beautiful, unspoiled countryside and scenery.

Ireland has a long and honourable tradition in education. Ireland is a country steeped in tradition and history. Irish people are among the most enriching reasons to study in Ireland. They are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality which greatly contributes to the ease with which overseas students adapt to student life in Ireland. They are naturally curious and genuinely interested in others. A strong sense of community abounds them.

Ireland is an English speaking country. Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world according to the independent IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2009 (ranks 8th). Irish education is of the highest international quality. The quality of the Irish education system is a major contributing factor to the rapid rate of economic growth Ireland has experienced over the last few decades. Irish higher education institutions are widely recognised for excellence in many disciplines. Ireland is recognised as an international location for high quality scientific research.

Ireland has a young vibrant population, with 36% of the population under the age of 25. Ireland is one of the most exciting places in the world to be a student. The number of international students visiting Ireland is increasing each year, students from all over the world are taking advantage of the higher education standard in Ireland coupled with the unique cultural experience.

Working While Study at Ireland

All nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA) have been free to take up employment in Ireland while studying. But if not belonging to EEA, then the students attending a full time course of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science are entitled to take up casual employment (defined as up to 20 hours part time work per week or full time work during normal college vacation periods). The course of study must be listed on the internationalisation register of recognised courses maintained on behalf of the Department of Education. Access to employment is denied to all other students.

If you are attending a foundation/preparatory course prior to enrolment on a full time course you are not entitled to work until you have commenced your full time course.

Everyone who has permission to work in Ireland has the same rights in the workplace, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. This means that you have a right to a legal contract, to lawful hours of work, to a salary at or above the minimum wage and other entitlements as set out in Irish law, including holiday leave, sick leave, parental leave and the right to join a union.

Getting Around Ireland

Ireland Fast Facts

Ireland Climate

There are many ways to travel to every corner of the island of Ireland.

Travel Ireland by car:
This is definitely the best way to travel around Ireland. Car rental in Ireland offers you total independence allowing you to choose when and where you travel to.

Travel Ireland by bus:
Ireland has a good bus network with every region well served. Busaras in Dublin is the central bus station for the Republic of Ireland while the Europa Buscentre in Belfast lies at the heart of Northern Ireland's bus network. All major towns in Ireland have a main bus station. This allows you to travel to the surrounding smaller towns and villages and in some cases the more isolated spots of Ireland.

Travel Ireland by rail:
Ireland's rail tracks extend to every region of the island. Dublin has two central stations; Heuston Station serves the south and west regions while Connolly Station serves the north and north west of Ireland. Great Victoria Street Station in Belfast is the central base of rail travel in Northern Ireland. Not every county of Ireland is linked to the rail network but in most cases it is straightforward to get a connecting bus to your destination.

Travel Ireland using internal flights:
Due to its regional airports, Ireland can offer internal air routes to get you from one end of Ireland to the other. Although it is not the cheapest form of transport, it is ideal if you are restricted for time and want to see as much of the island as possible.

Country name: Ireland

Area: 70,280 sq km

Population: 4,062,235

Capital: Dublin

Currency: Euro

Religion: Roman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, others 5.9% Language: English, Irish

Major Industries: livestock, steel, zinc, silver, aluminum, tourism, and software Ireland climate

Ireland enjoys 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 precipitation. Typical winter weather in Ireland is clouds and rain with the occasional sunny spell. The mountains may have snow on them for many weeks in winter, but falls on the lower ground on only a few days a year, and is generally not a feature of the Irish climate. Overnight temperatures often drop below freezing point, and ice and frosts are common.

Typically, summers in Ireland have warm, sunny weather and a sky dotted with gentle fluffy clouds. Light rain occasionally occurs on days like these, but summer rain is usually restricted to a few wet days. In July and August, the conditions can become very humid and thunder storms can occur with lightning. Ireland, an area close to the coast rarely has a large difference between summer and winter conditions. With an average 10^ºC difference between January and July the weather is much more consistent.

In terms of temperature, it is again the south that enjoys the warmest weather. While the north coast is cooler than the south, the coolest areas are the inland areas which are away from the warm waters of the ocean.