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IrelandFast Facts

Discover fascinating facts about Ireland - from its rich cultural heritage to its position as Europe's tech hub and innovation leader.

Geography & Land

From the Wild Atlantic Way to the Ancient East

84,421 km²
Total Area
3rd largest island in Europe
4 Provinces
Provinces
Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster
GMT (UTC+0)
Time Zone
Greenwich Mean Time
Carrauntoohil
Highest Point
1,038 meters in County Kerry

People & Demographics

A young and diverse population

5.1 Million
Population
Growing multicultural society
English & Irish
Languages
Both official languages
Dublin, Cork, Galway
Major Cities
Dublin is the capital and largest city
Multicultural
Diversity
12% of population are non-Irish

Economy & Business

Europe's fastest growing economy

€504 Billion
GDP
Fastest growing EU economy
9 Companies
Global 500
Fortune Global 500 companies
Tech Hub
Industry
Home to major tech companies
€165 Billion
Exports
Strong pharmaceutical exports

Culture & Achievements

Innovation, education, and cultural heritage

7
Universities
World-class institutions
Rich Heritage
Culture
3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Tech Leader
Innovation
European HQ for tech giants
R&D Focus
Research
1.2% of GDP on research

Did You Know?

Fascinating facts about Ireland

Ireland has the youngest population in Europe, with 33% under 25 years old

Dublin is home to the European headquarters of Google, Facebook, and Microsoft

Ireland has the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita in literature

The country has over 30,000 castles and ruins

Ireland is the only country in the world with a musical instrument as its national symbol (the harp)

The country has the highest quality of life in the world according to the UN

Ireland has the highest percentage of people with third-level education in the EU

The country has the fastest growing economy in the EU for the past 5 years

The Four Provinces

From Leinster to Ulster

Leinster

Munster

Connacht

Ulster

Ready to Explore Ireland?

From the documentation checklist to university information, we've got you covered.