Ireland
Tá Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat!
Tá Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat is an Irish phrase which means “one hundred-thousand welcomes”. Ireland and its people are well-known for their abundant hospitality. Visitors to Ireland are welcomed by good-spirited citizens who are generous and give help where it is needed. Residents of Ireland love lively conversation and engage strangers in debate and dialogue on wide-ranging topics about their country and world affairs.
Ireland has been influenced by cultures from all over the globe and this has turned Dublin, the Irish capital, into a truly cosmopolitan city. Ireland enjoys a rich cultural heritage evident in its architecture, music venues, theatres, museums and libraries. Visitors can watch plays by some of Ireland's literary legends. With famous Irish literary icons such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker (many of whom were Nobel laureates), it is clear that Ireland has inspired many great novelists, playwrites and poets. Music has always been an important aspect of Irish life. Live contemporary and traditional music can be heard spilling out onto the streets from the variety of pubs and bars across the city. Classical music enthusiasts can hear world-class performances at the National Concert Hall and there are many other musical genres to enjoy including traditional Irish music, rock, and popular--music to suit every taste.
Dublin has a vibrant student night-life. There are countless nightclubs, bars and pubs around the city. Temple Bar, in the city centre has the largest concentration of venues and is famous for its night-life. With such a wide variety of things to do both at night and during the day, there is no reason to be bored in Dublin!
As well as its booming night-life, Dublin also has a huge variety of shops and has become a very popular shopping destination. International and Irish designers offer contemporary fashions in intimate independent boutiques as well as in large department stores such as Arnotts, Brown Thomas and Clerys. For those interested in sport, both the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park hold sporting events throughout the year where Irish and international teams compete and thrill enthusiastic fans.
In addition to its lively city centre, Ireland offers some breathtaking landscapes outside the city. From the Inishowen Peninsula in northern county Donegal or the Giants Causeway in county Antrim, to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland has spectacular scenic views and walks, which draw millions of visitors annually.
Food and cuisine in Ireland have been influenced both by its history and also by the country's natural resources. Ireland has a strong tradition in farming and many of its inhabitants have lived off the land for many years. Farmed goods are also one of Ireland's main exports due to the high quality the farmers provide. Traditional Irish cooking consists of many different meat and vegetable dishes as well as various types of warm stew. In addition to tradition Irish fare, many non-traditional dining options are available in Ireland, and food from almost every corner of the world makes Dublin a particularly great place fo dine out.
Further information on events and things to do in Ireland can be found at :