Land area: 26,598 sq mi (68,889 sq km); total area: 27,135 sq mi (70,280 sq km)

Population (2006): 4,062,235 (growth rate: 1.2%); birth rate: 14.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 5.3/1000; life expectancy: 77.7; density per sq mi: 153

Capital City: Dublin

Monetary unit: Euro (formerly Irish pound [punt])

Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic)

Ethnicity/race: Celtic, English

Religions: Roman Catholic 91.6%, Anglican 2.5%, other 5.9%

The island of Ireland is located in northwest Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain. Ireland is separated from Britain by the Irish Sea and from mainland Europe by the Celtic Sea.

A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. The highest peak is Carrauntuohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1041 m (3414 feet). The island is bisected by the River Shannon, at 113 km (70 mi) the longest river in either Britain or Ireland, containing large areas of bogland, used for peat production. It flows south from northwest County Cavan to meet the Atlantic just south of Limerick.

There are a large number of lakes, of which Lough Neagh is the largest. The island's lush vegetation earns it the sobriquet "Emerald Isle."

Long before people in Ireland began writing ballads in English, there were thousands of songs and ballads in Irish. Irish Folk Music is the music and song in the national heritage. It includes older Irish songs and melodies, the Anglo-Irish songs and ballads of the countryside, and the rich vein of dance music. It relies on its melodic line for effect.

In Gaelic speaking Ireland song entered into every aspect of life from birth to work to keening for the dead. The musical activity of the ruling class centered around Dublin. It was European music and very important at banquets and ceremonial occasions. The most popular musical instrument in ancient Ireland was the Harp (cruit). It was featured in the earliest myths and legends.

Navan Fort is the most important archaeological and historical site in Northern Ireland. There is free access to the fort but to appreciate the site's history it is best to go into the navan centre. It has creatively been built into the side of the side of a grass bank to look like a large Bronze Age cairn.

There are also a number of attractions in Armagh City including the Planetarium. It was set up to educate and entertain visitors with insights into the mysteries of space. Armagh City is also full of quaint little georgain streets.

The southern shores of Lough Neagh and the Craigavon lakes, are popular for watersports, fishing and bird watching.