From some of the world’s most celebrated festivals to the longest clearly defined coastal route, these are the most interesting facts about Ireland.
Fast facts
Official name: Ireland
Population: 5,233,461 (2024 est)
Area: 70,273 sq km
Capital city: Dublin
Major languages: English (official), Irish/Gaeilge
Major religions: Christianity (69.2% Roman Catholic, 3.7% Protestant), 20.2% none or do not specify
Time zone: UTC +1 (Irish Standard Time)
Interesting facts about Ireland
1. Ireland is an island in Western Europe and to the west of Great Britain.
2. The Republic of Ireland, also referred to as “The South of Ireland”, shares a border with Northern Ireland, which forms part of the United Kingdom (UK). The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
3. Ireland became a member of the European Union in 1973, which greatly facilitated the economy’s growth.
4. Archaeological findings of reindeer bone, which formed part of the diet of the first inhabitants of Ireland, date back to 33,000 years ago.
5. Evidence shows that Celtic tribes arrived in Ireland around the fifth century BC.
6. Norman invasions in the 12th century sparked about 700 years of struggle and repression for the people of Ireland.
7. The Irish language, known as Gaeilge, was the primary language in Ireland until the 18th century. Irish is one of the oldest written and spoken languages in the world, and its writing can be found on Ogham stones from the fifth and sixth centuries. It experienced a sharp decline in the 1800s and almost became extinct.
8. In the mid-19th century, many Irish people emigrated to the US due to the outbreak of a famine, causing a population decline of almost 25%. One million people died, and two million people left their homes. It was said to be the largest single-population movement in the 19th century.
9. 26 out of 32 counties in Ireland gained independence from British rule in 1921 with the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty. The remaining six counties in the north Ulster region chose to remain part of the UK with limited self-government.
10. Despite Ireland being such a small country, 70 million people in the world are Irish-born or of Irish descent.
11. In 2023, Ireland had the second-highest level of GDP per capita among the EU member states, behind Luxembourg, at 111 % above the EU average. In 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Ireland stands with the second highest level of GDP per capita in the world, at $106.06 thousand USD.
12. The Irish flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The colors featured on the flag are green, white, and orange. The green stripe represents the Irish Catholics, the orange symbolizes the Irish Protestants, and the white stripe signifies peace and unity between the two communities.
13. Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle due to its lush greenery and rolling hills.
14. Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument as their national emblem. Their symbol is the harp, which can be found on their coins and passport cover.
15. Traditional Irish music is very distinct and the heart and soul of the culture that came from Celtic times. Various instruments are involved, such as the banjo, the accordion, the fiddle, the bodhran (Irish drum), the harp, and more.
16. There are about 30,000 castles and castle ruins in Ireland.
17. According to the International Construction Market Survey 2024 Report, Dublin is the fourth most expensive city in Europe to build and in the top 25 globally.
18. Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the Stone Age around 3,200 BC. The ancient temple is older than The Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge.
19. Halloween came from Ireland. The pagan religious festival can be traced back to the time of the Celts when people would wear scary costumes and host bonfires to ward off ghosts and celebrate the harvest.
20. Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary and became the patron saint of Ireland. According to the legend, Saint Patrick stood on the top of a hill and banished all of the snakes from Ireland. People have celebrated Saint Patrick since the ninth or 10th century, which later gave rise to the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
21. The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript that features the four complete Gospels of the Christian New Testament in Latin. Believed to have been written in the sixth to eighth centuries, the book remains in the capital city of Ireland, Dublin, and is considered one of the greatest artistic productions of the Medieval period.
22. The oldest pub in Ireland, Sean’s Bar, could well be the oldest pub in the world. It dates back to 900 AD, and there hasn’t been an older pub found to date.
23. Ireland is the world’s largest exporter of vaccines, blood, blood serum, and other medicinal properties and chemicals used in pharmaceutical drugs and research.
24. Ireland wins the title for having the longest clearly defined coastal route in the world. Known as The Atlantic Way, this route stretches 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) with 157 unique stopping points.
Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Ireland using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.