When we imagine Ireland, we picture beautiful seascapes, green countryside, quaint villages, friendly pubs, Guinness, Irish folk music, the landscapes in Irish literature and country characters.  Ireland is all that and more.

The Emerald Isle, Eire, Hibernia and Erin are just some of the names that have been applied to Ireland. Some of the names reflect past history, while others hint that Ireland is many things to many people.  Today, the two most important names are the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It seems as if there is always a catch when describing the haven of the Irish.  Although it is a modestly sized island, it contains two, independent countries.  The Republic of Ireland occupies over eighty percent of the Emerald Isle landmass and has the most people (4.2 million).  Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, takes up the other sixth of the area and has a population of approximately 1.6 million.

Many people know Ireland through familiarity with county names like Cork, Kerry, Galway, Ulster and Down, as these and other county names reflect an Irish heritage.  Others have been beguiled by the Ireland we know from song, stage and the movies.   The map above shows the location and names of the storied counties of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ireland’s history mixes many cultural and political influences, but it is mainly the story of one country split into two parts that seem to be slowly merging back together.

Ireland sits to the west of Britain and its history was long overshadowed by that of the British Empire.  The distance separating the two islands across the Irish Sea is modest, especially in the north, and this resulted in Ireland being invaded by most groups that had occupied Britain.

The Celts arrived in Ireland between 600 B.C. and 150 B.C.  Various invading groups established regions of the island as their territory and established a tribal culture that lasted for several centuries.  It is somewhat curious that the Romans did not follow the Celts across what is now known as the Irish Sea.   Although the Romans conquered most of Britain, they showed no real appetite to invade the modest island to the west.  While there is evidence of Roman settlement in the Southeast of Ireland, it appears that this movement of people was not a strategic move sanctioned by Rome.

The next great invasion occurred when the Norsemen took an interest in Ireland around the 8th century.  Eventually this tide was blunted when the Danes were defeated by the Irish Brian Boru (King of Munster) at the start of the 11th century.  By this time, however, the Vikings had settled throughout Ireland and were slowly becoming “Irish”, just as the Celts before them.

During this era, Ireland was loosely divided into the four regions of Connaught, Munster, Ulster and Leinster, as shown on the right. These areas represented kingdoms of a sort and it is thought that a fifth region, Meath, merged into Leinster. These areas declined and their boundaries dissolved after a new invader conquered Ireland.

The Normans (English) began their attempt to control Ireland in the 12th century and this started more than 700 years of rebellion against the imposition of rule by England.

The tensions between the Irish and the English came to head during the early 20th century. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in a treaty granting semi-independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. The terms of the 1921 agreement establishing the Irish Free State sparked a civil war that lasted between 1921 and 1923. Eventually the Free State became Eire in 1937 and a true, independent republic in 1949.

Today, Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom and this at the discretion of the majority of its citizens. Although the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland have been lessened due to the influence of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 (and implementation in 2006), there are still some difficulties related to a faction, known as the Irish Republican Army dissidents, who opposes the IRA’s decision to abstain from violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of the issues. Search our blog for current news on Northern Ireland or any of the destinations we cover around the world

As you travel through Ireland, you will hear many reminders of the Irish Potato Famine (also known as the Great Hunger or “An Gorta Mór”) that occurred from 1845 to 1851. Blights infected the island’s potato crop resulting in a failed harvest that lasted through several planting seasons. Over one million Irish lost their lives to starvation or disease associated with the famine during the Potato Famine. An even larger group was unable to cope with the economic hardship of the famine, which lead to the Irish Diaspora. As a result of the famine and subsequent migration, the population of Ireland decreased by half. If you are interested in more details, see this site for a comprehensive review of the famine.

Over the last several decades, the Emerald Isle has evolved into a capable economic power. In 1973, The Republic of Ireland tied its future to the European Union (EU), resulting in significant economic growth, especially during the last twenty years. Many of the Irish claim most of the benefits of the union have unfairly benefited Dublin, while the rest of the Republic has gained less from membership in the EU. In part this is true, but for travelers, the condition of Ireland’s road network is a significant improvement over its state in the past. In addition, many of the improvements in the Ireland tourism scene have resulted from EU projects.

In 1966, the Republic’s population became predominately urban, a trend that continued until recently. According to the 2006 Census, the rural population is once again beginning to increase, although this may only be a sign of the increase in suburban living around Dublin and other leading cities. Regardless of the cause, it important to note that Dublin packs in about a quarter of the country’s population, much of it comprised of migrants from the countryside and an increasing number of immigrants from other countries.

The Traveler’s Ireland

From the travelers point of view there is little to differentiate the “two” Irelands. The “Troubles” that had plagued Northern Ireland for so long, seem to be a thing of the past and more visitors are thinking of trips to Ireland, without differentiating between the two jurisdictions.

We think you will find that the beauty of Ireland lies in its people and culture. Yes, there are interesting landscapes and well-known attractions, but these are not quite the “stuff” that makes Ireland so memorable. For many travelers, the historical and physical attractions of the Emerald Isle are quite separated from the unique people who with their warm Irish culture have managed to make a relatively small island into an icon known and recognized around the world.

Ireland’s cities, towns, and villages bear names familiar to most travelers, even if they have never visited Ireland. Most populated places are small, spread along one major street and surrounded by miles of countryside. Large or small, urban or rural, the Emerald Isle’s towns and villages are good places to visit, great places to catch a meal, and fun places to visit a pub and interact with the locals.

Many of Ireland’s inhabitants are accomplished story tellers and the best tellers of tales can be found in pubs. If you are in the mood for stories, there is nothing like a Guinness to start a conversation. Others flock to pubs that offer music, as the Irish have developed country music and dancing to a fine art. Even those Irish who are not especially musical will often burst into song at a moments notice – with or without the Guinness.

source: http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/pdest/eipts.htm

This infectious and contagious state of merriment found here in Dublin makes it a very popular cruise destination within the tourist community who then come to Dublin on a vacation.

All time is the right time to visit Dublin. With some activity, festival, parade scheduled during most of the year there is always something to look out for by the travelers on a holiday to Dublin cruise destination.

This Irish holiday destination has enough of cultural and heritage wonders in its kitty that the holidaymakers are bound to have an excellent fun filled time while they laze out in Dublin.

Wide streets, gorgeous centre squares and huge magnificent mansions spread out in the midst of incredible landscapes speak a lot about the extravagant architecture that is laid out here in Dublin.

Georgian Elegance. Dublin’s signature architectural style makes its most triumphant showing in Merrion, Fitzwilliam, Mountjoy, and Parnell squares.

The Guinness Brewery and Storehouse. A high-tech museum tells the story of Guinness, Dublin’s black blood. At the top, the Gravity Bar has the city’s best views.

Toe-Tapping “Trad.” If your head is still throbbing from last night’s sing-along at the pub, head to other music-mad venues like the Olympia Theatre, where local traditional folk acts and international artists often share the stage.

The Sea. A necklace of beautiful walking beaches and seaside promenades runs right around Dublin Bay from Dalkey in the south to Howth at the northern tip.

Trinity College. An oasis of books, granite, and grass sits at the heart of the city. Highlights are the exquisitely illustrated Book of Kells and the ornate Long Room.

Tourist Locations:

There is something present for every kind of traveler who is on a visit to Dublin cruise destination. Pubs and restaurants dish out some incredible food menu’s which too have made a distinct name for it amongst the travelers who visit Dublin. There is enough of museum for those who are interested to take a good sneak peek into the history of Dublin. There is present the National Museum and the Dublin Civic Art museum. For those interested in art there are the beautiful National gallery and the Municipal gallery of modern art. The other places frequented by cruise travelers at the Dublin cruise destination are the Dublin castle as well as the Christ Church Cathedral.