The Alternative Guide to… the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland at a Glance
Capital city: Dublin
Population: 4.6 million
Local currency: euro (£1 = 1.31€)
Famous face: Bono, U2 frontman, loved and loathed in equal measure
5 things you never knew about the Republic of Ireland
More Guinness is now sold in Nigeria than in Ireland. Britain is still the biggest market for the black stuff, then Nigeria, with Ireland itself coming in third.
Below is the Wormhole at Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands off Galway. The perfectly rectangular pool looks manmade, but is a completely natural formation. Red Bull hosts a cliff-diving competition here every year.
If you visit Cork, try to fit in a visit to Baltimore, a fishing village on the far southwestern tip. While you're there, try imaging this: in 1631, the entire village was emptied when Algerian pirates swooped in the night, kidnapped 108 of the residents, spirited them away and sold them into slavery. It's thought that only three of them ever made it home.
Looking for somewhere special to enjoy a pint of Guinness? How about the oldest pub in the land? Sean’s Bar in Athlone, County Westmeath, has been open since round about the year 900.
Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument (the harp) as its national symbol.
National dish
Irish stew – hearty, warming mix of lamb, potatoes, onions and carrots. The very essence of comfort food. A pint of Guinness on the side wouldn’t hurt either.
If you see one thing in Ireland, make sure it’s…
... anywhere on the Wild Atlantic Way. This route stretches for 1500 miles along Ireland’s western seaboard, taking in some of the most incredible edge-of-the-world scenery, from dramatic plunging cliffs to pristine white-sand beaches.